Other than being a gaming industry executive, I also am a part-time consultant for new media and internet marketing. I get to meet a lot of interesting people because of this and one of them is 2010 Presidential Candidate and Senator, Mar Roxas. I finally met with him today and he’s really a humble and approachable guy. He’s very down-to-earth and he’s actually a bit geeky, hehe. Anyway, I hope he continues to pass more relevant bills for the Filipino people like the Cheaper Medicines Bill which he sponsored. Here’s a picture I took after our meeting.
Well, if ever he gets to read this post, let me just say – keep up the good work Mr.Presi- este, Senator. 
[...] actually meeting with one of the 2010 Presidential Candidates this afternoon – Senator Mar Roxas. You can read more about my experience meeting him in my personal blog. Okay, moving on, here’s the full weekly update for Philippine Ragnarok [...]
Carlo,
I am a Filipino-American happily living in Dallas,in the Great Lone Star State of Texas. I enjoy reading your blog I found while surfing the web looking for intelligent assessment about Philippine events. An American of Filipino heritage like me surely appreciates your blog. Your blog deals with subjects I care about except entertainment and movies.
Senator Roxas seems to be a great choice for 2010 Philippines presidential “derby”. However, he needs to disclose his stand on federalism. I am a passionate supporter of a Federal Republic of the Philippines. I can’t vote in 2010, but I have tons of relatives all across the Philippines whom I could influence. Do you know his stand on federalism?
Thanks,
Willy
Hi Willy! Thanks for the comment. I phoned the office of Sen. Roxas and his stand is basically “not at this time”. We need to strengthen the institutions first and make leaders more accountable before we shift to that system. Right now corruption is so blatant and this has to be addressed first before we make any major changes in the system.
I’m sure that when the proper time comes to shift, Sen. Roxas and the rest of our legislators and leaders will aggressively push for the implementation of Federalism.
This is a very interesting topic that you brought up so I’ll try to get the stand of the other Presidentiables as well and post it here.
Cheers,
Carlo
if chiz escudero will run in 2010… ill vote for him.. haha
Hi Carlo,
I emailed Senator Mar Roxas concerning such issue, and he graciously replied. Thanks for inquiring though. I sure appreciate your gesture of friendship.
With due respect, I strongly disagree with Senator Roxas. In contrast to his opinion, federalism will strengthen Philippines democratic institutions. When the United States formed its own version of the federal system of government, its democratic institutions were much weaker, in fact,way weaker than the Philippines current democratic institutions.
Those who reject federalism outright without carefully and seriously studying its democratic benefits, and the genius it brings to the democratic system, are those who have chosen to remain in that “Filipino feudal mentality” that fundamentally and wrongly believes that only the paternal minds of the politicians can determine what is best for others-”the commoners”. Federalism empowers people and assumed that people themselves are capable and able to determine their own destiny.It unleashes human power and extend to them the very human yearning of freedom. It advances cultural-ethnic-human creativity, innovation and healthy competition. It promotes interdependence and destroys the dysfunctional co-dependency in the current Philippines political system. Federalism is the genuine essence of participatory democracy.
Federalism will contribute in eliminating the blatant graft and corruption cancer in the government. Why? Well, simply because people’s direct accessibility to government officials requires and advances transparency. It is easier for the constituency to hold their leaders accountable in a federal system, where their leaders are right there among them.
Anyway, I can go on and on forever articulating my view! I’m sure by now, you are,without a doubt,convinced that I am a passionate federalist.
Cheers to you and your readers,
Willy