Manny Villar on Wowowee
Posted on November 14th, 2009
“Kung tutulong kayo, ngayon na!”
These were the words of presidential aspirant, Senator Manny Villar, during his visit at the Wowowee last July 25, together with his daughter. Picking up from the senator’s cue, the show’s host Willie Revillame put him on the spot by saying, “Kaya nyo bang bigyan itong anim na ito nang house and lot ngayon?”
Revillame was referring to the show’s six contestants who were OFW and had to leave their families and work in other countries to provide for families.
To this, the senator replied “Yes” and tears from the contestants, as well as the audience began to fall.
I am not sure about the sincerity of gesture, knowing that sometimes the show loves to play on human emotions and do scripted spiels. Nor are we sure that the six contestants really received their house and lot as Villar said. Although, we all know that he is very much capable of doing that, being in the real property development business himself.
I would love to hear any news or follow-up on the contestants if they are indeed, at present, comfortably living in their very own houses.
But I do like Senator Villar’s statement, “Kung tutulong kayo, ngayon na!” (If you’re going to help, help now!) Which is what should really be done.
Instead of delivering promises on how they would help improve the lives of Filipinos once they get elected, presidential aspirants should do what they can do now to help alleviate the condition of some of our countrymen.
That instead of shaking the hands of voters, they should just instead deliver assistance to those who need it. That instead of spending lots of money on printing of posters and other election paraphernalia, used the money instead to help other people.
Help now, and let the people decide based on actions, instead of words.
Here’s the video of Villar’s appearance on Wowowee.
I am not sure if this is how the rumors that Willie Revillame is Villar’s running mate in the coming elections started, but I sure am glad it isn’t true.
Yes, it’s true that candidates should not be all talk or all promises. The time to help, indeed, is now — not after these politicians are elected. That’s why I’m happy to see that Sen. Manny Villar has been helping all along and since the start of his long career in public service.
When other candidates were busy getting OTHER people to donate for them. Senator Villar and his colleagues quickly mobilized themselves along with other volunteers to help Ondoy victims.
It’s so easy to fall prey to free publicity from famous siblings, but if we learn to be discerning of how presidentiables help (not to mention their qualifications), then Manny Villar should be the clear choice.
HOW, REALLY, DID MANUEL BAMBA VILLAR JR. GET TO BE RICH? It bears to investigate and it can serve the Filipino nation well to know that Manny Villar may actually have broken through from Tondo-ragged accountant to billionaire-rich presidentiable by allowing himself to be used as a foreign investor’s dummy in the Philippine real estate business. You see, the conduct of real estate business in the Philippines is made exclusive by law to Filipino citizens, necessarily because its affairs involve sensitive issues affecting civil rights, territory, sovereignty, patrimony, and national security. Wasn’t that a debonair American who was smilingly visible every day at the offices of Crown Asia Inc. way back before the Villars became political aspirants? Unfortunately, sighting American presence at the Crown Asia Inc. organization deteriorates to zero visibility in hot election weather, especially nowadays! As Manny Villar embarked on a political career, it strategically became imperative to avoid flaks of damaging controversy about being financially beholden to foreign influence, especially from nationalist camps of the likes of then Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. who was one among legislators instrumental in passing general law limiting real estate business in the Philippines to Filipinos only. In fact, it was from 1997 to 1999 that the bespectacled, middle-aged, happy American investor (silent? fronted? non-express? implied?) of Crown Asia Inc. was last regularly observed at the 18th Floor of Cityland Herrera Tower. Apart from being born with a silver spoon, most of us often have “humble”, sometimes “rotten”, beginnings; yet being transparent about such beginnings can do even more good than harm. The answer may go as far back as Villar’s auditing days at internationally-patronized Sycip Gorres Velayo (SGV) or, perhaps, good Senator Manuel Villar would like to comment on the matter at this time?