Gordon-Bayani to promote unity, stability, transformation; prioritize education and health

Senator Richard J. Gordon has disclosed that they will promote unity, stability and transformation with education and health as their priority should he and his running mate Bayani Fernando, former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman, win in the May 2010 presidential elections.

Gordon, speaking at ANC's Harapan held at the University of Sto. Tomas, stressed that education is needed to address poverty so that the country could move towards progress and development because poverty is an absence of choice.

"We must put education and health as number one sapagkat kung walang education nasa dilim ang Pilipino. Education should be number one. Kailangan ang mga teachers ma-retrain," he said when asked to bare his priority for his first 100 days in office should he and Fernando win.

"Kailangan mataasan ang sweldo ng mga teachers. kailangan ma-promote natin, katulad ng UST, ang Unity, Stability and Transformation," he added.

Gordon and Fernando are running under the Bagumbayan - Volunteers for a New Philippines Party. They adopted the moniker, the "Transformers" for their partnership, a fusion of two performers who aim to transform the minds and hearts of the people to build character and create a better Philippines.

The Bagumbayan standard-bearer also bared his intention to turn the whole island of Luzon into a hub for investment by decongesting Manila through the relocation of industries to other areas in Luzon, building more infrastructures and maximizing the utilization of the infrastructures that are already there such as the seaports, airports and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

He also intends to make Visayas the beach capital of the Philippines with tourism as its number one industry, while ensuring the development of aquaculture, agriculture and tourism in Mindanao in order to attain peace in the Southern island.

But Gordon underscored the importance of transforming the Filipino people's values and culture first before the country could start moving towards progress, which he and Fernando plans to achieve by leading by example beginning with their first 100 days in office.

"I have always said that what this country needs is not just a change of men, but a change in men. Baguhin po natin ang kalooban ng bawat Pilipino. We must be a sincerely changed country," he said.

"And for that kailangan mamuno ang liderato by example, from my family, to my political family, to my Cabinet, all must live simply but work harder," he added.