This post was recovered from an article first posted on 2013-02-12 01:41:48

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The Center for Research and Communication and representatives from cooperatives, OFWs, investors, agribusiness, and development organizations met with senatorial candidate Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr. on January 29, 2013 in the University of Asia and the Pacific. Jun Magsaysay served as senator in the 12th and 13th Congresses from 2001 to 2007 (1), gaining fame for voting to open the sealed bank envelopes in the 2001 impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada (2). At present he is a Board Member of various corporations and educational institutions (3), aside from his senatorial candidacy for the Liberal Party. CRC co-founder Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas gave an overview of the Philippine economy in his welcome remarks, lauding the services sector while noting the need to improve agriculture, industry and employment. The sectoral representatives followed with presentations to Mr. Magsaysay, addressing workers’ concerns, investment, and rural development. Mr. Jun Magsaysay reciprocated with his own ideas, such as creating a database of skilled workers across all industries, to make workers more accessible to employers. He also advocates budget savings in government departments, which would be used to improve access to higher education, as well as for professional management of government welfare funds.

1. Senate of the Philippines, “List of Previous Senators,”
http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/ senlist.asp (accessed 11 February 2013)
2. Senate of the Philippines, “Senator Ramon B. Magsaysay, Jr.,”
http://www.senate.gov.ph/ senators/sen_bio/magsaysay_bio.asp (accessed 11 February 2013)
3. Rotary Club of Manila, “Guest of Honor and Speaker’s Profile,”Balita no. 3491 (6 December 2012),
http://www.rcmanila.org/jrcm/components/com_acymailing/upload/dec%206%20balita.pdf
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Atty. Doris Ramirez and Mr. Bansan Choa of iRemit

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Former Senator Jun Magsaysay with Dr. Bernardo Villegas and Dr. Veronica Ramirez

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Former Senator Jun Magsaysay

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Some of the guests of the meeting[/caption]