MANNY  TALKS, PHILSTAR LISTENED


MANILA, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 (STAR) PEOPLE By Joanne Rae M. Ramirez - And we listened.

Nacionalista Party presidential bet Manny Villar visited the STAR offices yesterday for a three-hour free-for-all with the editors and columnists, and he gamely and deftly answered everybody’s questions with no notes, no advisers or consultants in tow. He did not break into a sweat or a tick (which he admitted to having) when the questions were difficult (as when he was asked if he’s had extra-marital affairs, if he has children out of wedlock, or if his sex life was satisfactory, not to mention the major fly in his ointment — the C-5 controversy).

I was informed that he was not shown the questions beforehand, and therefore his responses showed his stock knowledge and grasp of the issues, which was pretty good.

He said that if elected, his first 100 days in office would prioritize infrastructure projects that were about to be finished but whose completion was snagged by a problem or two (like NAIA-3) and the repair of irrigation projects.

“I will focus on the doables,” he said.

He said he will choose, if elected, Cabinet members who are “known achievers,” with the “ability to produce results.”

“I don’t care about reports, but am biased towards results,” he added.

So far, he listens to advice from Romy Bernardo, Felipe Medalla, Ben Diokno on economic matters; Ambassador Lauro Baja on foreign affairs and Quasi Romualdez on health.

But he is quick to add that, “I am running my own campaign.” He says that he is his chief strategist. “My business sense is helping me.”

He strongly believes the next President should be a good marketing man.

“It is nice that I am spending my own money because if I win, hindi ako babawi.”

He doesn’t believe in divorce, and doesn’t think the Philippines is ready for “same-sex marriage.” If elected he has “no problem” allowing the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio.

He believes indigent patients in life-or-death situations, as those suffering from cancer, should get not only free medical services but also free medicines.

Asked what role his wife Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar will have if she becomes first lady, Villar said, “Cynthia knows what to do. We have been together for almost 40 years. So far, so good.”

Cynthia, he says, is the first and only girlfriend he’s ever had. He also said he’s never had an extra-marital affair, “even if you do not believe me.”

He believes in the promotion of arts and culture, admitting he took to an appreciation for the arts in the recent past. His collection of paintings include a Renoir, a Rembrandt, Amorsolos, and a painting by the late former President Corazon Aquino, mother of his chief rival for President. The latter he received as a gift, and he claims it is still displayed in his Las Piñas home.

I asked him which living person/persons he admires most (excluding members of his family) and he readily answered, “Dolphy.”

“I nominated him for National Artist without his knowing it because he has given joy and laughter to the Filipino people for the last 60 years.”

Manny, who was wearing his trademark orange shirt under a khaki jacket, and was accompanied by his beautiful and unassuming daughter Camille, had two cups of coffee and Kenny Rogers chicken for lunch, just like the rest of us. Except that he only got to eat his lunch at 3 p.m.