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noveMBer 3, 2012 hawaii filiPino ChroniCle 3OPINIONDon't Believe In Misleading AdsCayetano Is The Best Choice For MayorBy Edwin QuinaboNeed a pain killer toease the head acheaway from thenegativitythiselection season?If you're likeme, I'm more thaneager to get the elections overand done with.The negative campaign adspopping up every other commercial, or in a long, consecutivestring of misleading ads duringlocal news broadcasts, have confirmed two impressions I've hadof elections: first that it is sorelyin need of reform with moneyplaying too great a role in buying votes; and second, somepoliticians and interest groupswill say anything to attaingreater power.Traditionally, Hawaii elections have been relatively subdued when it comes to blatantpersonal attacks as seen on somecampaigns in the mainland, but2012 has spawned a new level ofugliness that is unprecedented inlocal elections.Shame On PRPPacific Resources Partnership (PRP), the pro-rail superPAC, on its own is redefining theboundaries of fairness and truthfulness in election campaigninglocally. The barrage of misleading ads PRP has been producing,costing about a 1 million, donot focus on the merits of rapidrail transit as it ought to be doingand do not represent properly thehonorable reputation that mostlocal unions have worked sohard to earn over the years. It's ashame that members of localunions under the umbrella ofPRP have allowed their leadership to be convinced that misleading, negative campaigning isthe best course to take to win anelection. In the end, even if theircandidate Kirk Caldwell wins,Hawaii residents will view localunions in a new light, as beingtoo influential, too powerful, andat times too dangerous.Unions have always beenperceived as the force to eventhe playing field, bolstering fairness for the "little guys" and"worker-bees" in a power systemrun by big businesses. PRP haschanged this image in this election alone, painting local unionsas that "other guy" they've beenfighting against, who sports themuscles with the dollars pushinga self-serving agenda at all costs.For PRP, that includes in thiselection thrashing the reputationof the venerable two-time governor, Ben Cayetano, who has dedicated his entire life to publicservice.Cayetano Did Not Break Campaign Financing LawsThe fact is that Cayetano hasdone nothing illegal.Bob Watada, the former executive director of the CampaignSpending Commission at thetime Cayetano allegedly used illegal donations for personalgain, confirmed this fact."We would not have closedhis (Cayetano's) account if therewere any outstanding liabilities,"Watada said during a press conference.Watada said candidatesoften don't know that they havereceived illegal campaign contributions because the person orcompany donating the moneyuses different names to get themoney to the candidate. After aninvestigation of Cayetano by theCampaign Spending Commission and other politicians whohave received illegal campaigncontributions, Cayetano wascleared of any criminal wrongdoing.Watada even went as far ascalling Cayetano the most honest politician he knows.As far as "pay to play" goes-- the practice that companies orindividuals donate to the political campaigns of candidates toreceive future favors in the formof no-bid government contractsor other pecuniary benefit -- voters should be asking themselves:why is this considered "illegal;"while a company or union, undera 2010 Supreme Court decision,is "legally" allowed to basicallybully an entire elections processwith unlimited amounts ofmoney then ultimately gain financial benefit by either new orexisting government contracts.In the case of PRP and theunions they represent, while theyare within legal means to spend a 1 million or more to bolsterCaldwell's campaign, it's naivenot to think that they are not"paying" hundreds of thousandsof dollars in ads now to ensurethemselves that the rail projectgets completed in the future, ofwhich they stand to benefit financially. Who is actually paying to play is debatable; andCayetano has not been foundguilty of such practice. Yet, misleading ads accusing him of payto play continue.People Power Can Make A DifferenceThe inherent beauty ofdemocracy is that ultimately thepeople are empowered to decide.Voters need to be mindful ofLETTERSCayeTaNO CaRes FOR THe PeOPle OF HawaIIMany people are asking why Ben Cayetano is running for mayor. After all, he has already reached thetop as governor. The answer is simple. Ben genuinely and deeply cares for the people of Hawaii, especiallythose who are economically less fortunate and others who are financially struggling.Ben has not forgotten his Kalihi roots, where each day a meal was a real blessing. Survival, a homeand something to eat were daily struggles. He could not stand by and enjoy his retirement while the peoplewere taxed for public projects such as a “rail to nowhere.”Hawaii taxes are among the highest in the country. Taxes to benefit a few contractors and unionmembers at the expense of community members who are already living on the dire edge of poverty isunconscionable.robert watadaFormer executive director,Hawaii CampaignSpending Commissionhow politics work and be able tosee through the lies. Voters mustdiscern reality from cleverly deceptive advertising, and rejectthe misleading tactics employedby those who choose to fool voters with sideline distractions tokeep focus away from real important issues. In the race formayor, it's obvious that rail transit is shaky in the eyes of thepublic. The immense cost it willtake to complete the project, itseffectiveness, and necessaryfunds to operate rail are only afew major concerns rail supporters would want to divert publicattention away from. The latesteye opener is that independentexperts say the operating costsfor the city's transit system withrail in place would take up to19.1 percent of the city tax collections in 2021, up from the historic high of 10 percent. Imaginededicating nearly 20 percent ofthe city's tax base just to transportation alone -- the obviousnext step would be a need tostagger tax raises or do withouta lot less in city services. But, ofcourse, focusing on this kind ofdetails requiring more taxpayersmoney for a project would almost guarantee an election defeat.While negative ads maycatch the attention of residents,and perhaps may be most remembered and talked about before the day of voting, it'shopeful to think that the issueswill win out at the precincts inthe end. If you happen to be avoter on the fence who is notpassionate on the issues like rail,perhaps there is one last consideration. Ask yourself: "do I really want to support a candidatewho allowed deceptive campaigning to represent me?" Ifsuch a candidate is elected, itwould be almost impossible todetermine at what point deception stops, if at all.It's Not Too LateAt this juncture of the campaign, Cayetano appears to bebehind in the most recent HawaiiPoll by a large percentage, 53 to42 percent. Given who his foesare, those who represent thepower establishment of big business and big labor -- this shouldnot come as a surprise. Cayetanohimself has always consideredhis campaign the underdog inthis race even while having thelead in earlier polls. ButCayetano supporters can look tovery recent history for inspiration where the powerful establishment's candidate of choiceeventually lost -- in the last governor's race between Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann.History shows that it's nottoo late for our community to regroup, rally together as we havedone in the past to get Cayetanoelected as governor, and comeout in massive force on the dayof election. Let us prove onceagain that the power of the people is still greater than the powerof money.I encourage my fellow Filipinos to vote for Cayetano thisgeneral election.

4 hawaii filiPino ChroniCle noveMBer 3, 2012COVER STORYTop Philippine Economist toVisit HawaiiBy Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.Dr. Arsenio “Arsi” Balisacan, Philippine Secretary of SocioEconomic Planning and Director-General of the NationalEconomic and Development Authority (NEDA), will be visiting Hawaii in early December. He will be officially hostedby Dr. Denise E. Konan, dean of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and professor ofeconomics.Balisacan, who was director of NEDA prior to his appointment as economicplanning secretary recently byPhilippine President BenignoS. Aquino III, received hisPh.D. in economics from UHin 1985. As the economic secretary, he holds position ofNEDA director-general concurrently. He is also chairmanof the National Statistical Coordination Board of the Philippine Institute of DevelopmentStudies (PIDS) and the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED).A highly trained worldclass academic in the field ofeconomics, Balisacan wasdean of the University of thePhilippines (U.P.) School ofEconomics, where he is atenured professor of economics. He was also previouslyhonored as an “academician,”the highest honor given to aprominent scholar by the National Academy of Scienceand Technology (NAST), themost prestigious institution ofscience and technology in thePhilippines.Humble BeginningsBalisacan was born in Solsona, Ilocos Norte, a remotetown located at the foot of theSierra Madre mountain range.He grew up in a farm villageuntil his family moved toLaoag City where his father, afarm tenant, was given a janitorial job at a private schoolrun by a religious order.He spent most of his formative years of basic educationunder the tutelage of DivineWord College of Laoag andcompleted the last two yearsof secondary education inAblan Memorial Academy ofSolsona where he graduated asthe valedictorian. Balisacancredits his mother’s aunt,Isidra Rivera, who was mayorof the town of Solsona, as hisearly inspiration in life.“She devoted selflesslyher life to this town,” he says.“She had actually very littlephysical possessions in life,especially when viewed intoday’s cadre of local politicians. What she had in abundance was deep respect andlove by her people, unblemished credibility and genuineconcern for the poor.”Balisacan’s interest in science began during high schoolwhen he experienced firsthandthe hardships and problems offarming. To pay for his schooling, he joined other migrant laborers who worked as riceharvestersinCagayanprovince. He found the longhours toiling in the rice fieldsgrueling and the separationfrom family quite taxing.“I saw in Cagayan villagesthe same hard life and direpoverty as in our village. HowI wished then that farmingcould be less physically tasking and more rewarding forfarmers and laborers. I toldmyself repeatedly that I wouldstudy hard to contribute tomaking farming a rewardingactivity for farmers,” Balisacan says.He followed through onhis pledge and pursued agriculture at Mariano MarcosState University where hegraduated magna cum laude in1979. Through a graduate fellowship given by the GermanFoundation for InternationalDevelopment (DSE) and theSoutheast Asian RegionalCenter for Graduate Study andResearch in AgriculturePhilippine President Noynoy Aquino with NEDA Chief Dr. Arsi Balisacan(SEARCA), Balisacan went tothe University of the Philippines-Los Baños for his Master of Science degree inagricultural economics. Hiswork after graduation involved numerous field visitsand interviews with farmersall over the country, which acquainted him more closelywith the social and economicproblems of the rural population, especially farmers andfishermen. It became clear tohim that the poverty problemin the countryside was not justabout the lack of improvedfarming technologies.“I felt that my training inthe agriculture sciences wasinadequate to enable me tograpple with the issues ofpoverty, inequality and development. That realization ledme to pursue graduate studiesin economics to equip myselfwith the analytical tools ofeconomics for an in-depth understanding of the poverty ofnations. After completing theDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)in Economics degree, it became quite natural for me toreturn to the old questions andissues on poverty and underdevelopment that had puzzledme in my younger years,” hesays.The East-West CenterAfter graduation, Balisacan worked as a researchassistant for a project where hebefriended UH EconomicsProfessor James Roumasset,who was at the time an EastWest Center Research Fellowwho was serving as a consultant on the very same project.Roumasset encouraged him topursue a doctoral degree ineconomics at the University ofHawaii-Manoa. Balisacanagreed and arrived in Hawaiiin 1982 as an EWC researchintern. He completed his degree a few years later in 1985.Balisacan says his experienceat the EWC proved to be acritical turning point in his career as an economist.“The academic trainingand research collaborationswith Professor Roumasset, aswell as the exposure and synergies with other research fellows and interns at EWC, haveinfluenced significantly theway I approach and practiceeconomics, especially economics of development,” hesays.Balisacan felt at home inHawaii, especially with thelarge Ilokano population and aclimate that is relatively similar to the Philippines. He hasobserved that the local Filipino community is very muchattuned to events in the Philippines. While it may be difficult for second and thirdgeneration Filipinos to tracetheir roots, he hopes thatyounger generations will stilllearn to appreciate their culture and heritage.(continued on page 5)

noveMBer 3, 2012 hawaii filiPino ChroniCle 5COVER STORY(from page 4, TOP.)ate more domestic jobs, so FilEconomic Issues for the ipinos won’t have to go overseas for work.Philippines“We would like to see aBalisacan is a leading expert in the Philippines and situation where Filipinos canSoutheast Asia on social and find quality jobs at homeeconomic issues, particularly rather than working abroad bepoverty and rural develop- cause the social cost of workment. A prolific author and ing abroad is quite enormous,”dedicated scholar, he has writ- he says. “The government isten or edited seven books and aiming for a rapid, sustainedmore than 100 academic pa- and inclusive growth. As inpers and publications in pro- vestments grow and employfessional and journals. He is a ment opportunities expand at aprodigious scholar in his field. faster rate, we expect FilipinosHe has also served as di- to prefer to stay and work inrector of the Southeast Asian the country.”Balisacan says the governRegional Center for Graduatementis making headway onStudy and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the re- the peace and order front withgional center of excellence for the recent signing of theagriculture and rural develop- B a n g s a m o r o F r a m e w o r kment of the Southeast Asian Agreement.“This is a major developMinisters of Education Organmentbecause Mindanao isization (SEAMEO). A fewyears ago, Balisacan returned seen to have a major potentialto UH-Manoa to sign a Mem- as an economic base and aorandum of Understanding major growth area for tourism.(MOU) between SEARCA Furthermore, the external efand UH, which led to the pub- fects for the rest of the counlication of a landmark book try are quite enormous oncepeace is established in this“Sustainability of Science.”As for the Philippine econ- area,” he says.“Having demonstrated ouromy, Balisacan says it contincommitmentto address theseues to grow rapidly amidstglobal slowdown. He also constraints to investment, wenoted the country’s improved are hoping to create an envicredit rating, higher consumer ronment that is quite attractiveand business confidence levels, to investments in order to susand commitment to the princi- tain economic growth.”ples of good governance thathas helped to attract long-term December VisitWhat else has Balisacanforeign investments.To address poverty, Bal- not done? An indefatigableisacan says the government “multi-tasker” and “workahas increased its proposed holic,” he also served as unbudget for 2013 by 10.5 per- dersecretary of Agriculturecent and priority given to so- from 2000-2001 and 2003.cial services and poverty While in that capacity, he wasreduction. The government is the chief negotiator in thealso doing what it can to cre- Agriculture Negotiations ofthe World Trade Organization there are plans for a public lec- nity. For additional details on(WTO) and in various agricul- ture on the current Philippine Dr. Balisacan’s visit, pleaseture negotiations. It’s simply economy to be sponsored by contact Dean Konan at (808)amazing what and how much the College of Social Sciences 956-6570.he has accomplished!in conjunction with the CenterBalisacan is only the sec- for Philippine Studies, East- (hfC staff contributed toond UH-Manoa alumnus and West Center and the Philip- this article. Dr. aquino isthe first with a Ph.D. to be ap- pine Consulate General in currently professor emeritus atpointed to a cabinet position in Honolulu.the School of Pacific andthe Philippine government inBalisacan will also be Asian Studies at UH-Manoarecent years. The first UH honored with a reception by where she served as professoralumnus with an MBA degree UH President M.R.C. Green- of political science and Asianto be appointed to a cabinet wood and if his schedule al- studies and director of thepost was Senen Bacani, who lows, he will deliver another Center for Philippine Studiesserved in the administration of public lecture in the commu- before retiring).President CoryHAWAII-FILIPINO NEWSAquino.D e a nKonan, a professor of economics, is proud ofB a l i s a c a n ’sARP Hawaii is sponsoring a and health care services. Topics inachievements.free conference for Lee- clude caring for a loved one in a fa“ D r. B a l ward-area family caregivers cility or at home; Medicare andisacan is a trueon Saturday, November 10, 2012 Medicaid; understanding challengleader whofrom 8:30 am to 12 noon at the Fil- ing behaviors of people with demenmoves the reipino Community Center in tia; diabetes care; relaxation exercisesearch frontierWaipahu.for caregivers and much more.forward andTitled “Caring for Family, CarThe event is free but registrationputs his ease call toll free 1ise on ruralwill cover a range of issues pre- 877-926-8300 or register online at:poverty intosented by local experts in geriatric www.aarp.cvent.com/leewardcare.practice for thebetterment ofthe people of thePhilippines,”she says.Konan herself is an expertoneconomicmatters in Africaand the MiddleEast. She previously served asinterim chancellor at UHManoa and iscoordinatingBalisacan’s December visit. Asof press time,AARP Sponsoring Free Eventfor Leeward CaregiversA

6 hawaii filiPino ChroniCle noveMBer 3, 2012HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWSCayetano Files Libel Suit vs. Union and Othersby Emmanuel Samonte Tipon of the State of Hawaii.Named defendants wereayoral candidateB e n j a m i n J . Hawaii Carpenters UnionC a y e t a n o h a s Market Recovery Fund dbacounterattacked against the Pacific Resource Partnershipunion and others that have al- (PRP); John D. White, Jr., Exlegedly published "false state- ecutive Director of PRP;ments" about him that "they Hoakea Communications; theknow to be false or about principals of Hoakea; thewhich they harbor serious trustees of PRP; John Does 1doubts" by filing a complaint 50; Jane Does 1-50; Entities 1for the civil tort of "defama- 50. The actors in the televisiontion" against them. The case, ad (a number of whom appeardocketed as Civil No. 12-1- to be Filipinos) do not appear2604-10 RAN, was filed on to have been specificallyOctober 22, 2012 in the Cir- named as defendants.The suit alleged that thecuit Court of the First CircuitM2012 Honolulu CityLights FestivitiesScheduleWreath exhibits, employee tree displays and holiday lights will be the focus of this ChristmasSeason as Mayor Peter Carlisle kicks off the2012 Honolulu City Lights Celebration on Saturday, December 1, 2010 from 4 pm to 10 pm.The public is invited to the free event, which also includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, electric light parade, holiday concert and much more.The 37th year of Honolul

noveMBer 3,2012 hawaii filiPino ChroniCle 1 HawaII FIlIPINO CHRONICle 94-356 waIPaHU DePOT RD., 2ND FlR. waIPaHU, HI 96797 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661