YOU, ONLY BETTER

WHO DESERVES YOUR VOTE? Exclusive Interview With Dick Gordon (Second Of 5)

Posted on March 10, 2010 08:00 am by Cosmopolitan
Photo: Sonny Ramirez

Cosmo: Most of our girls always complain about the tax burden. How will you assure us that our hard-earned money will go to worthwhile projects?

Gordon: The best way to collect taxes is to show them that the government uses the tax that they give, and that they get it back. So if you see me, contributions translate into ambulances, they translate into houses, they translate into every Red Cross chapter, or for that matter, they get better blood. You contribute to the Red Cross, and you see the chairman went to floods rescuing people. So we're trying to get more people to help the Red Cross so that we have more resources. 'Pag [naging] member ka, I'll give you accident insurance. You have accident insurance, for your family, for your recovery.

I learned in Olongapo, why would people volunteer? That's one, taxation. You tax their skills and their time, to work without pay. Why would they believe me? Because they know I deliver. So the best way is to show that the more you give, the more you get back in return--whether education, whether health. I'll put up regional hospitals and I'll tell the public, "See, this is where your taxes are being spent." People will pay.

Cosmo: What is your personal contribution to reduce your carbon footprint?

Gordon: I don't smoke (laughs). I try to encourage environmental protection, you know, like Subic, with its forest. The forest is still there, we respect the animals there, we respect the waters, they are clean.

Cosmo: Suppose you win the presidency and you know you've been doing a good job. Will you run for president again, knowing you'll do the country good?

Gordon: The country has never developed because there's no continuity of leadership. You have to develop a better leader so he'll study it. We got stunted so dapat may continuity. No, [I won't run again] that's why you have BF.

Cosmo: What makes you fun? What makes you fearless?

Gordon: I like to laugh. Inaalaska ko ang mga tao, 'yung mga 'di nade-develop. [With my staff] we have fun. We teach each other. No titles between us. You can tell me off. I am not afraid of the election. I know I can do a lot for my people than you can possibly imagine. My aim is to make them think. I just want you to think. That's why you need me. Because I'll make you think and work and you'll earn it. This nation will be great because the nation decided to be great. When you become president, you can no longer say "I'm my mother's son." We have to educate our people and uplift them. Think of what we can do for our country. When you want to seek change, maraming magagalit sa 'yo, pero you do it, that's what matters. Won't it be great if we vote based on skills?

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Tags: politics,Philippines,2010,candidate,president,Richard Gordon,elections,presidentiable

sWeet^gOdeSs

24. Here's why I SOOOO LOVE him!!
May 10, 2010 at 06:46 pm report abuse
shadysurvives

23. Gordon - Bayani may not be the team to beat, but the tandem is definitely a very good one. Sana nga magin matalino na ang voting public at wag padadala sa mga boladas ng mga trapo.
March 28, 2010 at 01:24 pm report abuse
jasel

22. yung lola ko noon pampalipas oras nag volunter sa subic. dahil doon nakapasok ako ng english lesson ng libre sa sbma. Muntik na nga akong maging tourist guide kso bigla nman akong naipetisyon ng parents ko. kya maging matalino po tayo sa pagpili...si GORDON lang po ang kailangan ng ating bansa. sya po ang isulat natin sa ating balota
March 27, 2010 at 05:49 am report abuse
ana

21. GORDON ako ksi nsa kanya ang katangian ng isang lider.naalala ko nung bata pa ako..sabi nya sa amin darating raw ang time na magiging proud kmi sa olongapo at matutupad raw yun. nagkatotoo nga. sakia marami na syang naipangako na talagang tinupad nya kya sana magkaisa tayo at iboto natin sya
March 27, 2010 at 05:45 am report abuse
irishbluemargarita

20. great
March 19, 2010 at 11:45 am report abuse
lalabong

19. Kahit sino manalo I hope he will be a good leader.
March 13, 2010 at 11:53 am report abuse
lalabong

18. I think Gordon will be a strict president. He looks so hardworking and honest too.
March 13, 2010 at 12:50 am report abuse
sassy_g21

17. i go for gordon don't want to comment more about why i don't like the OTHER presidentiables but most people i know , they said their going to vote for gordon well sana manalo siya.. like before si ping lacson ung gusto ko sadly he didn't win .. dito kasi sa phils uso and palakasan and nadadaan tlga sa ADS ang mga tao. ayako manalo si ------ i dont trust him!
March 12, 2010 at 11:47 pm report abuse
Santori01

16. Madami ng matalino mg vote nowadays, and i think the only problem is may nandadaya.kahit people vote wisely na.. may leakage pa din sa govt.
March 12, 2010 at 06:12 pm report abuse
sexybebe

15. "thinking voters" will vote for Gordon. i believe he is the one that really fits the highest government position in our country :)
March 12, 2010 at 01:52 pm report abuse
avery

14. mr. shareman
March 11, 2010 at 02:55 pm report abuse
jhe_1212

13. 13. Hmmm... I'm still not sure who to vote. I'll just follow whatever our pamunuan in our church tells us.
March 11, 2010 at 10:46 am report abuse
LizaM

12. Gordon seems like a very intelligent man.
March 11, 2010 at 02:12 am report abuse
SummerUdig

11. I would definitely vote for Gondon. his track record is impressive and he is the lesser evil
March 11, 2010 at 12:16 am report abuse
beanbag

10. gordon gordon gordon kami!
March 10, 2010 at 07:07 pm report abuse
mary_ann_lei

9. I'm either for Gordon or Gibo. Manny Villar, totoo naman ung sinabi ni Jamby na si Villar nangangamkam ng lupa aba't yung sa pasyente namin sa clinic yung lupa ng lola niya nilagyan ba naman ng bakuran ni Villar! Hello Mr. Manny Villar hindi mo po yata lupa yan para lagyan mo ng bakuran!
March 10, 2010 at 06:42 pm report abuse
lavfifth

8. Gordon is less scandalous.
March 10, 2010 at 03:44 pm report abuse
loveme.hateme

7. Gordon is included on my list. :D he can be a good leader, I guess. ^^
March 10, 2010 at 02:01 pm report abuse
sweetdecember

6. 6. I think he'll be a good president kaso hilaw pa sya and kulang sa finance and support, he is the least corrupt and sya lang ang candidate na may record ng nagawa as a public servant.
March 10, 2010 at 01:30 pm report abuse
rose17

5. he's my bet.. wala siyang scandals. sayang lang at di siya ganun ka-popular =(
March 10, 2010 at 01:12 pm report abuse
reeya

4. sana manalo sya. i think he's good.
March 10, 2010 at 11:30 am report abuse
Elyz_Iza

3. I like Gordon!
March 10, 2010 at 11:00 am report abuse
shadysurvives

2. It's either gordon or gibo for me...
March 10, 2010 at 10:43 am report abuse
lovely_lhez

1. i hope he wins!
March 10, 2010 at 10:28 am report abuse