Villar's ultimate dream: Turn RP economy around

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar said he intends to be known as the only leader who turned the Philippine economy around and pulled a majority of Filipinos out of poverty.

Villar said the next president should possess these three qualities: leadership, managerial capability and experience, which are important in spurring the country's economic growth.

In a recent radio interview, Villar was asked: "How would you want to be remembered by Filipinos? How would you want to be described in the history books?"

Villar replied: "The leader who turned around this country. Pababa tayo nang pababa, kailangan natin ang isang lider na magbabaligtad ng trend na ito na pasisimulan ang pag-akyat pagkatapos ng kahirapan (We are steadily deteriorating; we need a leader who can reverse the trend and initiate our rise from poverty)."

According to the NP standard-bearer, the economies of countries such as India and China took off because of the stewardship of competent leaders.

"Liderato, kakayahang mamahala at karanasan. Ito ang mga ingredients na kailangan dahil lahat ng problemang haharapin ng presidente kailangan yan. Katulad ng corruption, madaling sabihing 'di ka corrupt, paano kung ang mga nasa paligid mo ay mga corrupt?" said Villar.

"Kapag wala kang liderato at karanasang mamuno, madidiktahan ka ng mga taong nakapaligid sa iyo...lalo na kapag corrupt ang mga tao sa paligid mo. Unless ang una mong hakbang ay tanggalin sila lahat," added Villar.

Villar said his experience as Speaker of the House, Senate President and business leader will give him a cutting edge against other presidential candidates. Villar was Senate President from July 2006 to November 2008 and House Speaker from 1998 to 2000.

The SWS 2010 Survey Review showed that the NP presidential candidate posted the highest public satisfaction ratings among Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House who had served from 1990 to 2009.

From 1990 to 2009, Villar was able to breach the +60 net satisfaction rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied), consistently higher than any of the 10 Senate Presidents who have served since 1990.

Villar's net satisfaction ratings during his term as Senate President ranged between +40 and +60 points?a remarkable feat considering that most Senate presidents during the period posted less than a +40 net satisfaction rating.