Letter to my Friends

Dear Friends,

I am writing to seek your support for my candidacy as party-list nominee of KAAKBAY in the coming 2010 elections. KAAKBAY is part of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) convened by Social Watch Philippines. The latter has a documented track record of increasing budgetary allocations for education, health, agriculture and environment for the past four years.

The platform of KAAKBAY is anchored on budgetary reforms and increased spending for these four sectors. These are consistent with the Millennium Development Goals.

A long life; many journeys

I have embarked on a number of journeys. My longest journey is that of an activist, which started during the Marcos days and continues up to the present with my advocacy of social development and public finance reforms, as Co-Convenor of Social Watch Philippines and the Alternative Budget Initiative.

My career in public service is another long journey. I have been Secretary to the Commission on Audit, Vice President for Finance of the University of the Philippines and Treasurer of the Philippines.

My journey as academic is equally long . I have been teaching in the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines since 1970. I have written a book and several monographs on public fiscal administration.

Furthermore, I have rendered public service as Secretary to the Commission on Audit, Vice President for Finance of the University of the Philippines, and Treasurer of the Philippines.

I have made a decision to embark on another journey: the journey of politics. The Philippines is undergoing multiple crises: economic and financial crisis; environment and climate change; political and social crisis; and governance and moral crisis. Governance is linked to all these crises. If we want reforms in the political process, we have to participate actively in the process of reform. I look forward to your vote!


LEONOR “LILING” MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Nominee, KAAKBAY Party list
(Number 151 in COMELEC ballot)