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Interview with SOLITA MONSOD
By Georgia

Solita Monsod, or Mareng Winnie as she is more popularly known, is one of the most outspoken women senatorial candidates for the upcoming senatorial elections, so it wasn't surprising that she replied to our interview promptly. Actually, this interview was done through the trusty fax machine, but that wasn't a hindrance to getting her point across.
Mrs. Monsod is a member of the People Power Coalition, and this is her first time to run for the Senate. Why did she decide to run? And is there any hope for good public servants in our tainted government? You might ask. Well, read on and find out for yourself.

What major issues do you raise in your platform, and why do you think it's important to raise these issues?Read her platform
I raise two major issues in my platform. There are quality education for every Filipino, and honorable public service.
The first is important because education is the lifeline for families to pull themselves out of poverty. The problem is, for every ten Filipinos who enter Grade 1, three never get to move on to high school. These are people who are forced to stop because they do not have the means to continue, and in so doing, are condemned further to a lifetime of poverty.
The second is important because dishonorable public service, or that which is characterized by graft and corruption, is a major hindrance to our achieving the goals of economic growth and poverty alleviation. Public money destined for investments, and the education, health care, and housing of the poor ends up in the pockets of corrupt officials and private persons who evade taxes.

With your experience in public office, what important lessons have you learned that you will be able to apply in your senatorial term, if elected?
I have little experience in politics as this is my first time I am running for public office. The most important lesson I have learned in my brief stint in politics is that there are a lot of good people out there who are willing to commit and make tremendous sacrifices to do their bit to better the country. This is something I see in my own volunteers, whose sheer number and commitment astound me. This knowledge will be a tremendous help if I am elected. I know that for as long as I am on the side of right, there are people out there who will back me up and who will stand by me come hell or high water.

Why did you make education foremost in your platform instead of economic reforms which was expected since you are a well-known economist?
The two are not mutually exclusive. The most important ingredient to sustained high economic growth (which is what economic reforms are for) is high-quality human capital. Reform in education is, by only a few arms length, also economic reform. Moreover, the provision of quality education to our poor is the surest way to lift them out of poverty. There exists a strong link between the level of education and the income (and the standard of living) of individuals. By giving our people high-quality education, we are also making ourselves more competitive in the emerging knowledge-based global economy of the new century.

How and why did you decide to run for the Senate?
I have been offered several times to run for the Senate. In 1987, President Aquino herself asked me to run. I decided to heed this call this time after what I-what we-have seen in the impeachment trial. At first, I was skeptical about what a senator could do-whether they actually make any significant difference. But after viewing the impeachment trial, we all saw what bad senators could do. If only to prevent bad senators from occupying the Senate, I deem it my own duty to run. Of course, I also believe I have the qualifications to be a senator. Otherwise, I would not run.

What are some pros and cons about being a member of a political party?
The biggest advantage to being a member of a political party (the PPC) is having ready-made political machinery. It will be very hard running a campaign without such machinery and it would cost a lot more.
A disadvantage might be that you have a greater pressure to toe the line. You have to be careful with your statements so as not to deviate too much from the party's position.

Why should we vote for you?
Vote for a candidate because you believe he or she is qualified and the he or she will do good things in the Senate. Vote for me if you believe I am qualified and I can do good things for the Senate. Otherwise, do not vote for me.

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