Gadon to focus on micro-industries, will not apologize for cursing critics

Newly-appointed Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Atty. Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon said Tuesday that he would focus on strengthening micro-industries to provide jobs for Filipinos.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Gadon, who admitted that addressing poverty is difficult, said he wants to enforce the system in China and Taiwan where residents are provided with jobs through the help of small industries.

"Mahirap talaga kasi 'yung kahirapan, mahirap talagang matugunan 'yan nang agad-agaran at kabuuan sapagkat dito unti-unti nating aayusin ang mga programa upang matugunan ang kahirapan ng ating mga kababayan," Gadon said.

(It's really difficult to immediately address poverty. We will slowly manage the programs to address poverty.)

"Ang aking idea ay magkaroon ng mga micro-industries, gagayahin ko 'yung ginawang pattern ng China and Taiwan na marami silang micro-industries na nakakalat sa kanilang mga komunidad na nagi-empleyo ng 50 hanggang 100 na tao," he added.

(My idea is to have micro-industries, similar to the pattern in China and Taiwan where they have a number of micro-industries in communities that employ 50 to 100 personnel.)

Gadon, an unsuccessful senatorial candidate in the 2022 elections, said it is important that Filipinos be provided with employment, whether small or not, to curb poverty in the country.

"Kahit maliliit basta magkaroon lang ng trabaho ang ating mga mamamayan," Gadon said.

(It's okay if it's only small as long as it will provide jobs for citizens.)

Appointment

In appointing Gadon as  Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Gadon "reflects the government's commitment to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by our nation."

Gadon admitted that at first, he was hesitant with the post, but Marcos talked to him about the programs of the administration.

"Ako ay kanyang kinausap at pinaliwanag niya sa akin kung ano ang gusto niyang programang masunod. Ako naman bilang loyal soldier, tayo ay susunod sa ating Presidente," Gadon said.

(Marcos talked to me and he explained the programs of his administration. As his loyal soldier, I will follow the President.)

According to the Presidential Communications Office, Gadon will work closely with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to design and implement comprehensive programs to address the root causes of poverty.

The Marcos administration expressed belief that Gadon's experience as a corporate executive and legal counsel in diverse sectors would contribute to the formulation of innovative and sustainable poverty alleviation strategies.

At a public briefing, Gadon said he would push for a nutrition program called "BBM: Batang Busog, Malusog" to help address poverty.

"Ako ay magkakaroon ng programa na tatawagan kong BBM Movement. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay ‘Batang Busog, Malusog,'" Gadon said. 
 
"Kung sila ay kumpleto ng nutrients sa katawan, mas magiging maganda ang focus nila sa edukasyon. At kung sila ay magkakaroon ng magandang edukasyon, iyan ang magdudulot sa kanila ng magandang kinabukasan," he added.

Apology to critics?

Gadon became controversial because of his statements containing profanities against critics of the Duterte administration.

In January 2022, the Supreme Court issued a preventive suspension against him over a viral video in which he hurled profanities against journalist Raissa Robles.

During the Super Radyo dzBB interview, Gadon said he would not apologize to the subjects of his tirades in the past.

"Hindi ako hihingi ng tawad kasi unang-una, sila ang may kasalanan, kasi nagkakalat sila ng kasinungalingan. Pasalamat nga sila, hindi ko sila pinapatay. Buti nga minura ko lang," he said.

(I will not apologize because it was their fault that they are spreading fake news. They should be thankful I did not have them killed, I just cursed them.)

"Ang ibig ko lang sabihin, kasalanan din naman nila bakit sila namura, magkalat ba naman sila ng paninira," he added.

(What I mean is, it's their fault what I hurled profanities against them, they were spreading misinformation.)

Gadon, however, said his critics are welcome to benefit from the projects of the Marcos administration.

In a tweet, Akbayan described Gadon's appointment as "terrible."

"Now we know where President Bongbong Marcos gets his advice from. Terrible, terrible appointment," said Akbayan Party President Rafaela David.

"This is a new low, and even by the previous regime's bad choices..." 

For her part, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list said Gadon was an ''extremely poor choice'' for a government position that ''requires serious and diligent work, especially as more than half of Filipinos rate themselves as poor.''

"A lawyer who once maligned and verbally assaulted a female journalist with misogynist remarks, and who has been suspended twice by the Supreme Court for his foul language has no right to be on the presidential payroll. He is also a certified red-tagger, branding those who supported calls for his disbarment as NPA (New Peoples Army) coddler," Brosas said.

"Creating a new position at the executive branch and filling it up with the most unqualified person is certainly not a step towards such a comprehensive solution," she added. —with Llanesca Panti/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News