After the success of the “Negosyo Talks: Meet the Presidentiables” with Vice President Jejomar Binay last October, we had the second part of this series with former DILG secretary and Liberal Party representative Mar Roxas.

We had a large audience with more than 600 entrepreneurs and guests from different organizations who wanted to hear Mar’s policy directions and plan of action, as well as answer the pending issues that need to be addressed.

He opened the program with a good talk discussing how the Philippines has transformed from being the “Sick Man of Asia,” as Lee Kuan Yew labeled us, into “Asia’s Bright Spot.” Mar said that we have come a long way. From fighting for democracy in 1986 (where he acknowledged my father Joecon’s role in NAMFREL and as one of the few who stood up against the dictator), to the continuous growth and progress of the country today, Mar commended everyone for participating in the transformation of the Philippines. He also recognized that the last five years had the most improvements when the current administration installed a new kind of management, and was not afraid to put people in jail.

He also shared the substantial progress we have made over the last five years, including the provision of classrooms, chairs and tables, teachers for the next generation and the growth in GDP. He also mentioned the programs of the government that he will continue under his administration if he wins.

The forum was moderated by TV5’s Luchi Cruz-Valdes and the panelists included Mike Toledo, Babe Romualdez, Olivia Limpe-Aw, Vicki Belo, Tina Papillon and Mon Lopez.

As the discussion with the panelists started, Mar was asked questions on programs for foreign investments, constitutional change and inconsistency in policies, tax reform, traffic decongestion, and Internet issues, to which he answered straightforwardly and with full conviction.

Watch out for the next part of the series with Senator Grace Poe on Dec. 2, which will also be aired by TV5.