Club Filipino and its presidential relations

I have spoken at two Rotary Multi Club meetings so far. One of these was at the 'Rotary Centre' in Quezon City. For a City to have an actual Rotary Centre is impressive however Quezon City has 102 Rotary Clubs and is its own District as well which is even more impressive.

The other venue for the other Multi Club meeting was at 'Club Filipino'. This is not some seedy nightclub as some might suspect but an exclusive members-only social club and recreational facility. Established in 1898 as an elite Filipino country gentlemen's organization, the club has developed a reputation for being a meeting ground for Filipino political progressives throughout its history.

It is most notable in recent Philippine history for serving as the inaugural venue for President Corazon Aquino during the People Power Revolution of 1986. The Club had some impressive paintings of that inauguration and the Rotary meeting took place in the same room. I have to say that during this trip I have been in some places that set the history of this country.

 

Addressing the (empty) senate chamber

I also managed to gain access to the Senate of the Philippines. Senate is the upper house of Parliament here and is currently in recess due to elections. The Senate building is located next to the GSIS (Government Social Insurance System) and the Senate actually rent that part of the building from the GSIS. 

Whilst at the GSIS it was arranged that I went next door through the two heads of security. The Senate Chamber is actually quite small as it only has 24 Senators for the whole country. They sit behind actual desks so it is rather like being in a school room.

I was able to walk around all of the floor of the Senate Chamber and up to the podium in front of the Speakers Chair and formally addressed the Chamber in my role as a Councillor. 'I bring you greetings from The Mayor of Bolton'. The two security ladies watching duly said thank you and took me to the roof of the building where the helipad was for an excellent view over the Bay of Manila, Manila City and the Asia Expo area.

I left my card on the podium for the next Speaker of the Philippines Senate once the elections are over and done with.

Getting close to the Presidential Palace

I also managed to gain access to the Malacañang Palace which is the Palace of the President of The Philippines, also in Manila. This was an unannounced visit by myself and two lady Rotarian's who drove into the Malacañang Palace compound and directly to Gate 6 where the President's office is located.

Mr President was at home and the flag in the courtyard outside was flying. Again there was minimal security and just one guard on Gate 6 who seemed pretty perplexed that an English Councillor had just appeared asking to see the Palace.

He waived us through so we were in the courtyard. I simply wound down the car widow and took a sneaky photo to prove I had been in. Photos are not actually allowed and the guard did not see.

We couldn't gain access to the inside of the Palace with the President being in however they asked if we could go back the day after at 3pm when we could have a tour.

Unfortunately our schedule didn't make this possible but I can say that I got up to the front door and in the courtyard area so was right outside. To be there was great as history was made when President Marcos fled from this exact spot in the revolution, gun shots and pot shots being fired as he left. That was not the case for me but a salute from the guard on the gate as we drove out in direct contrast - how nice and respectful.

 

As a politician I am always interested in visiting decision making places. I had the opportunity of visiting Quezon City Council Chamber which is a modern Council Chamber and a large flag of The Philippines is hung behind the presiding officers seat.

Court house and coconut palace

I have visited Quezon City Court house and a Court room. I have studied law and have a general interest in legal issues. The Philippines court system has no juries and everything is decided by a Judge. Actually I was put in the dock as well and swore the oath that I tell the truth and nothing but the truth. As a politician this was no problem as I do this all the time so the Judge was happy and I was free to go. I managed to get out of that one then !

 

Whilst in Manila, I visited the Coconut Palace which is the residence and office of the Vice President of The Philippines. What a nice Palace this is and beautifully decorated. I went around the whole place including the grounds and swimming pool area at the back. The Palace backs on to the Bay of Manila.

It was amusing that there was minimal security - there was just one lone guard sitting at a table at the front door. I had a photo with him. Other guests who had visited included world President's and Prime Ministers. One memento which I noticed was a plaque presented by the President of Bangladesh who had been there last year. I took a photo of it to show all of my Bengali friends in Oldham.

Rotary Hour, graduations and getting involved

We have been very well hosted by the Rotarian's of District 3780 here in The Philippines.

One of our duties was to be interviewed as a team on UNTV for 'Rotary Hour' at their TV studios in Quezon City.

It was quite a nice experience I thought to see how a TV station actually works but then it hit home when sitting on set in front of the TV cameras and the interviewer / presenter appeared and introduced himself, why exactly I was there.

 

The minutes counted down and the programme began with a series of direct questions to any of us - why we were here, what we were doing and what we thought / knew of the Rotary. All in all it was not daunting and I felt pretty relaxed. Apparently our interview has already been aired although I have not seen the finished product (perhaps I was edited out !) but at the Rotary District Conference which we attend next week, we can see the programme and will get a DVD of it to play to everyone back home (I am sure you are awaiting with anticipation !).

On one of my vocation days, I visited a local school and attended a graduation ceremony. It is actually graduation season here and it is a tradition that all the pupils and their parents attend. The pupils looked beautiful dressed in their white gowns and hats. Rather like a University graduation but for young children at school. All politicians attend and a member of the Philippines Senate was present as well as local Councilors. 

I was asked to go on stage and help present the graduation certificates which I did. It was a very special moment for these kids and their parents and gave them a real sense of achievement which they can carry forward in their education. I couldn't help thinking, why do our schools not do this as well ? We can certainly learn some lessons and will be mentioning this when I get home.

 

Environment, tree planting and social security surpluses

I’ve visited the Quezon City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department who gave me an overview of the environmental problems, how they are trying to become a more environmentally sustainable city, their efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the planting and protection of trees, the production of energy from waste garbage and the upgrading of street lights to use LEDs. All of these issues are very similar to what we are doing in Bolton and I’m very impressed with their work.

I also visited the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippine Government and I was shown an indigenous tree planting scheme and was given the opportunity to take part in transplanting the seedlings into grow bags. This project is very important in protecting and improving the rural environment and forests of the Philippines.

Visits have also taken place to the Philippine Social Security System Government Department and the Philippine Government Social Insurance System which are two separate social security departments. The first being for ordinary working citizens and the second for all government employees. I was given a very warm welcome at both departments and a presentation on the work that each do.

I was told that the SSS department has an imbalance in the contributions collected and the benefits paid out and they would like their government ministers to increase the levels of contributions. So currently they are running at a deficit.

On the other hand the GSIS department is running in credit so does not pay out as much as it collects. This is because government departments are compliant in making employee contributions whereas the SSS department has many problems in collecting ordinary employee contributions. I was struck when visiting the GSIS that they have their own art gallery and museum with many expensive artefacts including a 20 million peso wood carving picture and two grand pianos for twice weekly concerts all funded within their budget.

First day and flag raising

Monday morning at 7am we attended the weekly flag ceremony outside of Quezon City Hall. I was struck by the ceremony itself and the importance given to it to start off the working week. Basically the Mayor of Quezon City, Herbert Batista, sat at the front with us and all the employees of the council’s various departments stood in lines to attention, sung the national anthem whilst the Philippine flag was raised and the mayor addressed them before they started work.

When I get home I am going to suggest to our Chief Executive and the Mayor of Bolton that we do the same. I have heard that there is two foot of snow in Bolton town hall square at the moment however even this would not be an excuse to prevent Bolton’s weekly flag ceremony taking place!

Welcome to Manila and on with the campaigning

After a long journey we finally arrived in Manila to a warm welcome from our Rotarian friends. For the first week I stayed with the Calalay family who are involved in local politics. Boyet Calalay is a Rotarian and Chief of Staff for his father Councillor Boy Calalay and his father is currently running for election to the National Congress (equivalent to our House of Commons in the UK). I’ve been helping out with the election campaign each evening after our scheduled Rotary programme of activities in some very deprived areas of Quezon City and meeting the local people.

I have found all the people here in the Philippines so welcoming and friendly, even the poorest of society who have virtually nothing are still so optimistic that they can improve their lifestyles and there is a real sense of community and solidarity among residents. These people will go and use their vote on election day because they realise the importance of casting their ballot. That is a real contrast where in the UK we get on average only 30% of people bothering to vote.

In the UK as councillors we do our best to engage voters in the local area but here in the Philippines people living in the poorer communities can really see the effects of politicians engaging with their local community with the projects that they are delivering to try and improve people’s lives. Perhaps we can learn some lessons from the Philippine people to address disillusionment with politicians at home.