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KBL's Sonza can work with any presidential bet


Jay Sonza’s path to politics is anything but straight. But now, the Kilusan Bagong Lipunan’s (KBL) vice-presidential bet, says he’s ready for it, citing his wide experience. He made these remarks when he took the hot seat at Radio DZBB Ikaw Na Ba?...The Vice Presidential Interview. Although he is still in the process of deciding who to vote for, should he become the next Vice President, he can work with any presidential bet. Sonza says he has Estrada's charisma, Teodoro's brilliance, Gordon's creative management, and, like Villanueva, he is a practicing Christian. What he doesn't have, he admits, is a big spending capacity. However, he does not see this as a problem. "Ayaw ko pong gumastos sa inyo, dahil para ko kayong binibili," he addressed the listeners in Filipino. Sonza shifted among languages throughout the interview, addressing the people in Mindanao last. He said listeners already know his true character, and that you cannot go wrong with your kababayan. "Ang maipapangako lang ay paglilingkod ng tapat (What I can promise is that I will be true)," he said. He also explained his HOPE agenda which stands for Honest governance, Opportunity for all and privilege to none, Peace, productivity and prosperity, and Education and environmental protection for sustainable development. Jack of all trades Born in Macabebe, Pampanga and raised in Davao del Sur, Jose Yumang Sonza graduated from the University of Mindanao with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, and from the University of the Philippines with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He pursued further studies in Asia-Pacific Politics and Economics at the East-West University in Hawaii. He was founding chairman of the Buklod ng mga Kabataang Kawani ng Pilipinas as well as founding director of the United Broadcasters Cooperative. His affiliations exceed what the average person can count on all fingers and toes, and his work experience covers a wide variety of experiences from farming to CEO. During the interview, Sonza that he said first wanted to be a priest. However, his father opposed the move as there were few males in their family. He also wanted to be an engineer, but given his status as a working student, he could only afford to enroll in a BA course. It was not his intention to go into broadcasting, but his desire to serve was fulfilled in what became a fruitful career. Now that his three children have completed their studies, Sonza has decided to run for public office under the Kilusan ng Bagong Lipunan. Sonza said that the KBL, which he claims is not Marcos' party but a party of Filipino people looking for a new society, approached him. This, he attributes to his being the right man for the job. An insider's perspective Sonza said that the government has done nothing to solve the problems in Mindanao, which he explained are rooted in poverty. He said the problem is not being solved because those who are appointed know nothing about Mindanao. He says that having grown up there, he knows the culture and the problems of the people in the country’s second-largest island. He explains that with Mindanao's 68 per cent contribution to the national economy, they only get 11 per cent in return. He said that while the country enjoys the fruits of gold, bananas, and pineapples all from Mindanao, they remain poor. It's like you give me 70 pesos, and I only return 10, he said in Filipino. "Kaya nagaalab ang kalooban ng mga Mindanaoans," he said, proposing that the triangle of management be inverted. "Baliktarin mo ang triangle of management. Lakihan mo. Seventy per cent sa local management, wala kang problema sa bansa." He said that those running the government don't know how to manage fiscal resources. He said it is not true that there is no money, because annual bonuses are taken from savings. "Kung walang pera, pano magkakaroon ng savings?" he asked. He said the government's first mission should be to balance the budget within three years, which can only be done through line item budgeting. "Wala ka dapat deficit. You are not supposed to spend something that you do not earn." "You have programmed expenditures which are non-essentials to line agencies," he said. Sonza said that when the Philippines was second next to Japan, there was only one Cabinet secretary and one undersecretary. "Today, there are six undersecretaries and 14 assistant secretaries. In other words, your government service is so bloated." He said there is a need to readjust the system of governance to the needs and requirements of the times. With widespread computerization, manpower should be less, not more, as the case is today. The vice president's role He says the president-in-waiting should be busy 24 hours, studying how the government is being run on a daily basis. "Kasi imomonitor mo yan. Kapag may mali, kapag may dapat i-correct, you have to tell the President or the Department Secretary or even Congress for that matter." He said if you are doing the right thing and the president does not listen, then you will need the people. "Kailangan sabihan mo ang taong bayan na eto po, mali," he said. He says there would be no need for a press conference, because the airwaves are part of national patrimony, and “the state can at any time use the broadcast facilities to inform the public." He says the private sector should not wait for the state to have to impose it. "You have to do your part, because in the absence of initiative from those who were given privilege, as a franchise it can be revoked." - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

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