Question 1. What are Mabeth's competencies for governance?
The past and present governors have put the province in such dire financial difficulties in large part due to poor judgment possibly based on potential political (and personal) gains without thinking much about future economic repercussions. So Aklan badly needs a leader with track records of managerial skills who understands the daily economic realities of Aklanons. I truly believe Mabeth has the records to show. She is among the youngest bank managers in the country (with among the largest banking system at that). She has won awards for her personal performance as well as for her entire staff/branch. These are national awards based on preset annual performance that she and her team invariably exceeded.
As a professional banker, she has a vast experience in making major economic decisions based on merits and not personalities and political considerations. In this capacity--that spans about 2 decades--she has been in touch with Aklanons from all walks of life. Thus, she also has the needed peoples' skills. In this regard, I have written about her ability to bring in diverse talents to the table in my previous reply. Of course, with Jun and our Dad and Lolo, and Tay Nono, there is no question about her political lineage.
But the most important fact for me is that her heart is really in the right place. She truly wants improvement for Aklan. She truly believes that change has to occur. Unlike me, Aklan is her only home. She, therefore, has personal investment in making sure the place is the best for her family, especially the children. Lastly, she has promised the family not to make politics a career but vows to make significant strides if given the chance.
Question 2. Where from will she draw her ability to do the job?
As aforementioned, she has a track record of performance as a professional manager who consistently meets and exceeds her targets. She is also a UP-educated graduate of Economics and Political Science. She is in touch with Aklanons from all economic spectrums. And she truly believes in Aklan. These are powerful sources of strength to do the job.
She also draws strength and courage from her faith; and inspiration from examples by our father, grandfather and Tay nono. Her family, needless to say, revitalizes her physical and emotional reserves day in and day out.
Question 3. Which of her achievements are relevant to the post?
To be able to manage a large branch, be among the youngest bank managers, and consistently meet your targets year after year are important track records of performance.
The province has been put on notice about non-payment or underpayment of past due loans. Plunder cases have been filed. Therefore, Aklan needs a leader who understands both the political and economic aspects of running a province.
Question 4. How good is her machinery, funding and organization?
She has for campaign manager someone who has run and won 2 national campaigns and several congressional campaigns. And he is doing it gratis et amore for Aklan and belief in the leadership of Mabeth.
Funding is adequate but any and all help is welcomed (hint...hint). Her machinery is vast in large part because of her personal relations with many local leaders through their banking transactions.
Question 5A. When will there be any consideration to withdraw?
I believe the call is directed to the other candidate. Please see Panay News.
Question 5B. I have brought up the matter of her concentrating on the local front, to consolidate resources and effort to secure victory for Jun in Ibajay rather than risk losing on both the Mayorial and Gubernatorial stakes.
Jun will win against his uncle’s wife, who is not an Aklanon, di bala? There is no doubt about that. The entire Garcia family is enraged and, therefore, engaged by what was done to Jun. Jun has, therefore, now more than ever has more manpower and resources poured into Ibajay that allows Mabeth to do the province-wide campaign.
Question 6. There seems to be a need to safeguard or regain family solidarity which translates to political strength and security, consider her chance of winning as a Governor and ensuring Jun's victory as a Mayor. These are crucial times with vital decisions to make.
I understand politics is addition. But politics should also be about moral choices. If Mabeth just wanted to be governor she could have played along with the Quimpo-led coup that she exposed in January. Someone had said "ethics must begin at the top of an organization." And I have seen at least 2 copies of plunder cases against the congressman dating back to the time when he was the governor.
As an aside, I am attaching an e-mail from one of Mabeth strongest supporters/leaders that hopefully will make you think why Mabeth is the best option (the capitalized fonts are made by sender):
“I have been in Aklan for almost five long years now managing the electric coop that have been bastardized by politicians. From a category E (the lowest in the ranking among electric coops) it rose to A+ category (the highest) with a most outstanding performance award in year 2004-2005. This, after 15 long years of corruption and mismanagement (with 89 million in deficit), Akelco now is being emulated by other electric cooperatives, about 119 of them in the entire country.
Given the right leadership and given the right direction Aklanons, I believe, can excel and can stand tall in the eyes of the entire country. This has been proven by, as Transco said, "the most amazing corporate turn around in the country" describing the current state of affairs of Akelco.
I am not an Aklanon but my last five years in Aklan made me love the province I call my own. That is why I am helping Mabeth's campaign and volunteering my service if only to show to the Aklanons that something must be done; and that it is time to shout: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! STOP THE LONG YEARS OF MISMANAGEMENT AND CORRUPTION IN AKLAN, OF POVERTY, OF DIRTY POLITICS, OF TRAPO POLITICS, OF AN AKLAN CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OFTHE DEPRESSED PROVINCES IN THE REGION! IT’S TIME TO SHOUT ONWARD WITH AKLAN’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH NEW AND COMPETENT LEADERS.
THIS IS MY CHALLENGE TO THE AKLANON, A CHALLENGE FROM A CEBUANO!”
Are we up for the challenge?
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First of all, we salute those who have taken their time and placed their effort into finding better ways to understand their candidates and in turn, choosing their candidates wisely. It is what we mean by the small act that can act big on the future of Aklan. We truly appreciate that you have asserted yourselves and demanded better from your candidates. We cannot walk through progress alone. It is our interaction - your involvement - that will enable us to reach our vision. After all, our dream of Aklan is something that we can all enjoy, should it be realized.
Based on several inquiries received by email, we have summarized the inquiries to fall into the following questions. A concerned Aklanon has made a suggestion about posting these actual queries and replies exchanged privately by email. We hope that it will be helpful in framing your decisions as to who is the most suitable candidate for the job. Send us a your inquiries, comments, and suggestions at: info@moveaklanforward.com or even better, post it in our blog/forum at www.blog.moveaklanforward.com
