FROM VIC BARRIOS, GLOBAL FILIPINO NATION:
Peace.
Preparations for the 2010 elections are starting to gain momentum.
In light of the jockeying by "king makers" for vantage positions and open admission or public knowledge that some "Presidentiables" are hostage to patronage politics, we have prepared a draft statement for your review/comments before we release it to the public.
The draft statement is reproduced below and attached in a separate file.
We would be grateful if you could kindly go over the draft statement and give us a feedback, if any, by June 17, 2009.
Thank you.
V
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POLITICAL CANDIDATES MUST DISCLOSE THEIR FINANCIERS
Patronage politics is the single largest obstacle to governance change.
It is entrenched and endemic.
It is the fountainhead of corruption.
Campaign financiers exact more than a “pound of flesh”.
In the end, it is the people who pay for the quid pro quo though taxes, inflation and substandard public services.
Politicians now pay lip service to good governance.
Genuine good governance requires a break between campaign contribution and post-election favors.
Candidates should accept contributions without being bound by corrosive utang na loob.
Contributors derive dividends in terms of lower cost of doing business and improved public services.
The global Filipino community (Filipinos living at home and abroad who are united in their commitment to good governance) demands that national and local political candidates fully disclose and publish all cash or in-kind contributions.
Non-compliance is evidence of being hostage to patronage politics and subservience to special interest rather than the common good.
Compliance is a tangible sign of transparency and a healthy, early sign of political will.
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