Dick Gordon's Platform of Government: Where is it?

Dick Gordon, I heard, was once a fine UP student leader. Glad to know. And I really expect to find a Platform that is more responsive, than, say Noynoy's or Villar's or at least better than the ones presented by Gibo Teodoro or even his nephew's.

I was terribly wrong. Dick Gordon's "Manifesto" is a mushy, wishy-washy document filled with half-truths, half-lies and half-baked presumptions. Good thing that online handlers of Gordon did not describe this document as a "platform of government." They did not, obviously, for fear of being pilloried.

So, despite what Gordon's online pompom bearers say, that he has more substance than Noynoy's or has more wit than Teodoro, let me put on record that Gordon is the only presidentiable without a clear platform of government. His manifesto is not a call to arms.  It is a manifesto written by a business writer, who dreams of seeing Pink fences and pink-colored bridges.

I remember most of those who handle Gordon online asks Noynoy--show us your platform. They even taunted Manny Villar and accused him of just using his money to win.

Now, please, tell me my young Padawans over there at Bagumbayan---where oh, where is Gordon's platform of government? All I see is his Manifesto. Is this the one which I will base my analysis with?

What kind of government will Mr. Gordon build? A government of motherhood statements and of reinvention. His first slogan---reinvent government from what to what? His second, peace and order which he says would be solved by self-discipline, vigilance and respect for the prevailing order. What Gordon is saying is this--he wants to teach criminals respect of our laws. What? Do you see anything wrong with this? It's more of a pipe dream rather than an honest-to-goodness solution to our peace and order problem.

He says of a strong and growing economy by probably raising our savings, work hard and invest. That's the thing. How do you do that under a very depressing economic state? You can't even save enough to cover higher bills and energy costs, like gasoline. Yep, working hard is one suggestion, but most of the 45 million Filipino workers, not less the farmers, work hard, than, say even a member of the Cabinet. Everyone works hard but we simply can't save enough. And how would this even improve the current state of the economy?

The problem is eminent---a totally unresponsive economic system, not giving equal opportunities to every Filipino.

Again, like Noynoy's, Villar's and Teodoro's platforms, Gordon says he will prioritize education, since he believes that it is a key driver of development. What's new? Education is the top priority listed in the Constitution. Every Tom, Dick and Harry who competed for the presidential plum all listed "education" as top priority. Even those who won and sat as president said they will prioritize education. Yet, twenty eight years after Martial law and about two centuries after the Bagumbayan sparked revolt, access to good education remains a big problem. Many of our compatriots fail to complete college education simply for one reason---lack of financial resources. And people still view the worsening local economy as a big factor why people fail to continue their college education, not the education department's "measly" multi-billion budget.

Even if we give a bigger slice of our budget to education, thousands of young Filipinos will still not finish their college education simply out of economic frustrations. The key therefor, is lift our fellow longsuffering Filipinos from the rut of poverty and financial distresses, give them more access to economic opportunities and in effect, allow them to plan the education of their children.

Gordon's sixth priority is health care services, probably FREE or Universal health care. This is good. But, how? What kind? Has Gordon thought of its impact in the budget deficit?

Another classic Gordon motherhood statement--create jobs. It is his seventh priority. How to do that remains still an unexplained phenomenon for Gordon.

The eighth is securing homes and lands to work on, meaning, Gordon favors the expansion of low-cost housing and probably, the former Mayor of Olongapo favors agrarian reform. If I am right, then Gordon should be lauded for this. It is not clear though if Gordon really intends to push for genuine agrarian reform.

Gordon's ninth priority is different from the others---strengthen the Family, by building values and instill proper virtues in individuals. How to do it? I simply don't know since Gordon is not entirely clear here. Another sweeping and broad-swathed statement? You bet ya!

The last of Gordon's priority is environmental protection, though, again, he did not say how. He just said he will protect the environment, period.

Before, I was thinking of volunteering my services to Dick Gordon. Now, how will I do that? Why will I be volunteering for something as arcane and as nebulous as Gordon's Manifesto? Surely, I will not allow myself to fall victim to the promises and rah-rah of somebody who used to protect a scheming and evil president. Definitely, why will I allow myself to campaign for somebody who is not entirely clear what direction will he lead the country into? Its toxic to follow a blind man. Gordon has admirable traits but he owe us a more concrete and more responsive platform. How would you volunteer yourself to somebody who does not offer a "transformative" platform when all he could say is what we all know already?