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‘Kilusan Sagip Pinoy’ calls for true leader to save country from hunger, poverty

11/05/2009

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A multi-sector alliance against poverty and hunger yesterday called for a true leader to come out and join the politicians who have expressed intentions to seek the presidency in 2010.

The Kilusan Sagip Pinoy said a true leader should present himself to the people in 2010 to save the people from hunger and poverty, adding none of the politicians who have expressed intentions to run for President in 2010 seems to qualify for the job.

It said the problems of hunger and poverty have been made more evident by the devastation caused by twin typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” which hit the country recently.

“Is there no one else? Among those who have expressed intentions to run for President in 2010, we could not find a true leader who would save the country from poverty and hunger,” Sagip Pinoy president Crispin Soriano Jr. said.

He added the politicians who are actively campaigning for the presidency, like former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, have held sensitive positions in government but their achievements in these positions are yet to be felt by the people.

Sagip Pinoy spokesman Glen Openiano said the devastation caused by Ondoy and Pepeng had highlighted the need for a President who will save the people from hunger and poverty.

“These natural disasters have brought to the spotlight the man-made disasters of hunger and poverty in our country. Our proclaimed presidentiables should have found opportunities to prove themselves during those disasters instead of dwelling on politics,” Openiano said.

The Sagip Pinoy movement presented its criteria in choosing the next President in 2010 which included a good track record in public service even in his youth, integrity against pressure from the rich and powerful, sincerity in the fight against corruption, and decisiveness and competence in times when action is needed.

Openiano said the people expect more than just talk from the politicians who have already expressed their intentions to run for President in 2010.

He added the people will remember what the politicians did during the rescue and relief efforts for the victims of the twin typhoons and will reward or punish them accordingly.