Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., presidential bet of Lakas Kampi CMD, supposes the government should be determined in managing the case of 43 community health worker detained by the Philippine Army last February 6 in Morong, Rizal. Hpwever, it is ardent that this insistence should be supported on the “rule of law” to certify equality to all the persons involved.

“The former defense secretary carries an unshakeable belief and commitment in favor of the rule of law, in this case, charges should be filed based on hard evidence to ensure that no rights are taken for granted,” said lawyer Mike Toledo, Gibo’s spokesman and head of the G1BO 2010 Media Bureau.

Last February 6, Philippine army and Rizal provincial police combined forces and raided a resort in Morong, Rizal, and detained the 43 health workers, whom they alleged were in the control of bomb-making equipments. The case gathered criticism from human rights supporters, who argued that the health workers were going through training on community-based health programs. Furthermore, human rights organizations insist that the authorities exploited a prohibited warrant and set evidence sequentially to connect the health workers to the New People’s Army. On the other hand, the armed forces asserted that the workers are, indeed, terrorists seized doing training exercises for upcoming plots such killings and bombings.

Toledo mentioned Gibo’s experience as the 1989 bar topnotcher from the University of the Philippines, Harvard-trained lawyer, three-term congressman and former secretary of defence, which he said fashioned the presidential bet’s predisposition for the law.

“Gibo believes the rule of law is important for any country and that the rule of man should always”take a backseat” when it comes to the quest for justice for its citizens,” Toledo said.

For the time being, Toledo also disclosed that Gibo has been collecting voter support in his determined anti-poverty platform that seeks, among others, a college graduate for every family and universal health care.

“The Gibo campaign is built around solving four worse types of poverty, namely, the poverty of the mind, the poverty of the pocket, the poverty of relationships and the poverty of the environment.”

“We are part of a globalized economiy, and thus, poverty cannot be isolated as an issue and solved separately,” Toledo explained. “The Gibo gameplan is to come up with a comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of poverty, and specifically help our people prepare to be competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.”