Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview with Labor Leader Leody de Guzman
2022-Jan-26 16:10
2022-Jan-31 00:29
Labor leader Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman answered every question given to him Wednesday, January 26, at DZRH's Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview.
On De Guzman's turn for the interview, he answered questions given by anchors, reporters, and citizens on how the government can move the nation forward.
De Guzman has been a labor rights activist for 36 years. His reason for running is to represent the workers.
"Tingin ko hindi na lang simpleng pagpapalit ng pangulo ang kailangan sa Malacañang, kailangan baguhin ang sistema. At kung hindi nila nagawa 'yan, tingin ko manggagawa naman sa pagkakataong ito, at ako ang kumakatawan sa sektor ng manggagawa," de Guzman answered.
(I don't think a simple change of president is what Malacañang needs. The system needs to change. And if they don't do that, I think it's the workers [who can do that] this time, and I represent the labor sector.)
Here are some of the topics discussed at "Bakit Ikaw" DZRH Job Interview of De Guzman:
On mandatory vaccination
De Guzman said that if he will be elected as president, he will not require mandatory vaccination; instead, he will incentivize it.
De Guzman said that if he will be elected as president, he will not require mandatory vaccination; instead, he will incentivize it.
"Hindi ko gawing ima-mandatory ko. Hindi ko gagawin dahil nirerespeto ko yung pananaw nung ibang mga tao," he said.
(I will not make it mandatory. I will not do it because I respect people's opinions over it.)
He added that he would be providing incentives to people who will get vaccinated, including paid leave for workers who will get the jabs.
On independent foreign policy
For de Guzman, the Philippines should have an independent foreign policy that is free from China and America, which will also be grounded on agreements over the economy and climate.
For de Guzman, the Philippines should have an independent foreign policy that is free from China and America, which will also be grounded on agreements over the economy and climate.
"Ako gusto ko ay maging independent foreign policy. Wag tayong kakampi sa China, sa America dahil maiipit tayo. Wag tayong lalahok sa kanilang labanan dahil magiging pawn lang tayo na ipangbabala nila," de Guzman said.
(I want an independent foreign policy. Let us not ally ourselves with China, America, because we will get caught in the middle. Let us not participate in their fight because we will only become pawns that they will use.)
He added that the country should avoid nations that want to occupy and take advantage of the Philippines.
On taxes imposed on the rich
According to de Guzman, if he will be elected president, he wants to tax the rich to source funds for the government's response against the pandemic.
According to de Guzman, if he will be elected president, he wants to tax the rich to source funds for the government's response against the pandemic.
"Ang isang immediate [ay] mag-impose ng wealth tax doon sa mga mayayaman," he said.
(One immediate response is to impose a wealth tax on the rich.)
He said that convincing the rich to get taxed will be easy because of the practice of corporate social responsibility.
"Para sa kaligtasan ng ating mamamayan, tingin ko madali naman silang makakausap, mauunawaan, dahil sila naman ay mayroong practice na corporate social responsibility," he said.
(When it comes to the safety of the public, I think they can be talked to easily since they have the practice of corporate social responsibility.)
On fighting poverty and climate change
De Guzman said that his administration will give its attention to the economy and stopping climate change if elected as president, adding that he will not focus on upgrading the country's military.
De Guzman said that his administration will give its attention to the economy and stopping climate change if elected as president, adding that he will not focus on upgrading the country's military.
"Ako hindi ako masyadong pokus tungkol sa diyan sa mga militar," de Guzman said.
(I am not really going to focus on the military.)
"Ayoko ng giyera, ang gusto kong giyera ay giyera laban sa kahirapan, giyera laban sa global warming kasi delikado yung mundo natin ang bilis ang pag-init," he added.
(I don't want wars, the only war I want is war against poverty, a war against global warming because the world is in danger, it is quickly getting hotter.)
He further explained that he will only ensure that the country has enough security to allow fishermen to continue their livelihoods safely in the West Philippine Sea.
DZRH is set to interview all presidential candidates in the "Bakit Ikaw" dialogue, which will be aired on all DZRH digital, Radyo Natin website, and other traditional media platforms.
Other presidential candidates are also set to attend the DZRH's Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview, including Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (January 28); Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao (January 29); and Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo (February 2). (DZRH)