Noynoy first to take dzBB's Ikaw Na Ba? hot seat

Listen to the audio podcast of Mike Enriquez' hour-long interview with Noynoy Aquino on dzBB last Feb. 19. Right-click to save the podcast as an mp3 (88mb). (Update 10:15 p.m.) Presidential aspirant Senator Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, the consistent frontrunner in surveys, was first to take the hot seat in GMA Network’s dzBB radio electoral information project Ikaw Na Ba?... The Presidential Interview on Friday. Renowned radio and television news anchor Mike Enriquez grilled Noynoy, shooting a barrage of questions about the presidential hopeful’s vision, plans and personal capability to run the country should he win in May. Aquino vowed to make a difference through equal business opportunities, efficiency in revenue collection, fair treatment of political blocs, open-minded handling of social issues, even as he strives to kick out his smoking habit. He said he will level the playing field in business by not sparing anyone from accountability, including the country’s biggest conglomerations and their known allies. “[Ang] maaasahan sa atin [ay] level playing field. Walang papaboran. Ang merkado ang mag-dedesisyon [kung] lalago ang negosyo o hindi," Aquino said. “Kung may kaso, ‘di tayo tutulong, panlalamang na ‘yan. Kung kayo [ay] inaapi ng sistema, pwedeng lumapit [sa gobyerno], pero kung kayo ang aapi, pasensyahan tayo (Those who practice unfair practices would be dealt with accordingly and those put at a disadvantaged position could turn to the government," Aquino said. Revenue collection Aquino envisions a P400-billion (or more) added revenue for the country’s coffers through the enforcement of a clean and efficient tax collection system. “Kung maitataas natin ang tax collection by 2 percent to 15 percent, that is equivalent to P150 billion in added revenues. Ang loss to corruption in 2009 ay P280 billion (If we can raise tax-collection efficiency by 2–15 percent, that can be translated to P150 billion in added revenues. The loss to corruption in 2009 was P280 billion)," he said, adding that the country’s current tax collection efficiency is just at 12 to 13 percent. “Personal na ambisyon ko, within the first week, ako mismo ang makakahuli either ng gumagawa ng substandard infrastructure projects o mga smuggler. Siyempre bago ‘yan, hinahanap na natin sila. Kilala na natin yan (I wish that within my first, I myself can catch anyone making substandard infrastructure projects, or smugglers after identifying them)," he said. Also, Aquino spoke his mind on nagging political issues and other concerns that have been hounding him since announcing his presidential bid, the controversial Hacienda Luisita. On Chacha, Speaker Arroyo Aquino also spoke his mind about nagging political issues and other concerns that have been hounding him since announcing his presidential bid, including the controversial Hacienda Luisita. The LP standard-bearer said he would let his partymates who would be elected in Congress to make moves to prevent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from becoming the next House Speaker. “’Yung aking mga kapartido po ang makikialam na po riyan… Hahabulin din po nating maibigay ang (I will let my partymates in the House of Representatives make the necessary moves. I would also push for) maximum independence of a co-equal body," he said. Arroyo is currently seeking a seat in the House of Representatives, running as a candidate for congresswoman in the second district of her home province, Pampanga. On Charter Change (Chacha), Aquino said he is open to it, citing what he considered as grave abuses to the 1987 Constitution under the Arroyo administration, which need more stringent safeguarding measures. "Dati ‘di ako sang-ayon na palitan ang Saligang Batas. Ngayon, pinakita sa 10 taon ni Ginang Arroyo kung paano nagamit ang Saligang Batas [upang magmalabis]. Dapat madagdagan ang safeguards sa Konstitusyon(Before, I was opposed to Chacha, but now, I am for it after realizing how the present administration used the Charter in covering of her excesses)," Aquino said, at the same time assuring that there will be no Chacha without a public clamor for it. “Within the first month, magtatayo tayo ng(I will set up) commission to tackle Chacha," he said. Hacienda Luisita On the Hacienda Luisita issue, Aquino said that the family-owned estate in Tarlac would be transferred to its 10,000 farmer-beneficiaries within five years. “Ililipat natin ang lupa sa farmer beneficiaries, yung may utang, i-amortize nila. Mungkahi ko sa ngayon sa pamilya namin, may scheme, ‘di lang 5 years, pwedeng mas mabilis. Kung payag ang majority sa 10,000 farmer-beneficiaries, pwedeng i-implement agad ‘yan," he said. Aquino assured that he will push through with his plans on the Hacienda even if he loses in May. On the the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, he maintained that ‘responsible parenthood’ must be paramount in family planning, stressing the need for the government to ‘guide’ its citizens on their obligations instead of dictating it. “Responsible parenthood ang tawag namin. Walang karapatan ang estadong sabihin kung gaano karami ang anak o anong paraan [ang family planning]." “Iyong kultura ng simbahan, kabilang ako doon, pero ‘di pwedeng ang pananampalataya ko ay idikta ko sa Pilipino (I am among the faithful, but I cannot dictate my faith on Filipinos)," Aquino said. The Catholic Church, a staunch critic of the Reproductive Health Bill, has warned voters not to support candidates who are pushing for the bill’s passage. Courting religious vote Asked if he already met with any of the major religious leaders in the country, Aquino revealed visiting Eduardo Manalo of the Iglesia ni Cristo group. "Ako po’y dumalaw sa kanila, nakipag-usap, pinaliwanag ko po ang ating plataporma ng gobyerno. Pinuntahan na po natin ang mga obispo ng simbahang Katoliko upang ipaliwanag ang ating posisyon sa RH bill," Aquino said. With over two million members, Iglesia ni Kristo is known to practice bloc voting during elections. Addressing criticisms that his campaign is focused on his parents instead of himself, Aquino replied, “’Di maalis ‘yan. Nanggaling tayo sa ating magulang. Sila ang nag-craft at nag-demonstrate sa atin. Kung mali ang ginawa nila, dapat ‘di sundan. Pero kung tama, mali bang sundan ko ang gawin nila? Next in line Former president Joseph Estrada will answer questions in I Kaw Na Ba?... on Monday, February 22, while administration bet Gilbert Teodoro is set to take the hot seat on February 23. Olongapo City councilor JC delos Reyes will be on board on February 24, followed by evangelist and Bangon Pilipinas candidate Eddie Villanueva on February 25; Senator Jamby Madrigal on March 1; Senator Richard Gordon (March 2), environmentalist Nicanor Perlas (March 3); and Nacionalista Party's standard bearer Senator Manny Villar on March 4. - with reports from Andreo Calonzo, LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV