TIJUANA.-The federal representative, Juan Manuel Gastelum Buenrostro, discusses the PRI party's initiative that threatened to censor the Internet, and would have meant a huge back step for freedom rights in this country.

In an exclusive interview with San Diego Red, the legislator admitted that he would love to compete in Tijuana's mayoral race, but assures us that he is not in a hurry and would only do so if the natural course of politics allows it, in terms of party unity and harmony.

According to Gastelum, had the censorship and Internet blocking taken place, as proposed by the PRI party in the Telecom Law reform, it would have set Mexico on the same level as China or Venezuela — countries where citizens are faced with government enforced Internet restrictions.

While there is no official document that clearly indicates that the reform will be modified, everything seems to indicated that — due to massive public outcry — it will be stricken from the legislative packet that was to be voted on in the house, and that the presidency has retracted the proposed reform.

Gastelum applauded the citizens' efforts in expressing their opposition to these measures, because it is the only way to block the political will, which in this case threatened freedom of speech and net neutrality.

Apart from the discussion on censorship, Gastelum affirmed that the Federal Telecom reform has positive initiatives, and intends to modernize Mexico and make it a global competitor in this regard.

Gastelum, when discussing the political situation in Baja California, where there the Secretary General seat has yet to be filled, denied that Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid had offered him the position or consulted him about a replacement for Guillermo Trejo Dozal, who took a recent leave of absence.

Evaluating His Political Future

When discussing his political future, Gastelum stated that his goal is to conclude his triennium as a legislator and then commit full time to his law practice. When asked if he would seek election as Tijuana mayor, Gastelum indicated that he would only do so if it came about naturally, without internal conflicts in the PAN party.

He recognized that he would enjoy becoming mayor, but he would like to compete in a clean and united campaign without internal divisions and factions, in which the Municipal Committee of the party could work toward a collective goal.

Here are some other topics that were discussed in the interview

After record–breaking levels of social media fury, it seems as though the Internet censorship initiative has taken a step back. Is that so?

Apparently yes, although there is no official document to prove it, everything seems to indicate that the measure has been batted down or halted. Let's be honest, the telecom reform is not bad, because it puts Mexico on level ground with the international community. The truth is that aside from the censorship issue, and trying to control citizens by way of the net, there are benefits that allow us to be internationally competitive. What's unfortunate is that it opened Mexico up to the possibility of being "Venezuelized", and exposed to levels of control like we see in China, where Internet free speech is almost null, so regardless of the good parts, the censorship part was very bad. I am surprised that the president's spokesperson has said that they will reconsider it. Whatever the decision was, it has been halted now and whatever the point of view is, I cannot be in favor of a decision that promotes censorship and Internet restriction. I am surprised that many people in the party would applaud these measures. I think that they are aligning their opinion with their personal ambitions: if I play it right it might help me out the next time.

Do you think that we will end up tricked or that something will be hidden in the fine print?

Our analysis has not yet uncovered the fine print, that is true, but we must see the positive side — I think the best part of this reform is that it is trying to make this country more competitive internationally. The negative part was the censorship, the control, and the requirements that companies log and maintain information on its users. Aside from those articles, I don't see anything else that might harm us. We are trying to do things the right way and if we constantly think that there is something hidden between the lines we will never accomplish anything.

The government doesn't trust its citizens, and the citizens don't trust the government and its real objectives

The thing is that we have lost faith in the government. I take responsibility for that. When we were in the government we didn't act the way we should have and the citizens lost faith in us. Then they brought us a candidate, that women thought was handsome, and he is married to a telenovela star; he is a presidential candidate straight out of a novela and people voted for him because they didn't trust the projected PAN candidates, but now they don't trust the elected government either. We are the problem, because we've reached a point where we don't trust anybody and yet we still are waiting for somebody to show up and fix our problems, but we don't do anything. The government did this and it has produced a tremendous outcry. We saw it on the web: thousands of people expressing their opinions and demonstrating. What should we learn from this? If we really speak out as citizens we can force the government to change. But the price of limes went up, and then the milk, and we didn't do anything. Taxes went up in Baja California and the border region, producing harmful effects on our economy, but only 58,000 sought an amparo (legal estoppel). I applaud the actions of Adolfo Solis and Juan Manuel Hernandez, and all of the folks in our local economic and industrial groups (Coparmex de Canacintra), but what did the rest of us do? We didn't do anything as citizens and the government and parties took advantage of that. And the bad part is that they show up and people feel out of place to speak out against them.

Is there a risk of censorship of video games in any of the sections of this reform?

No, there is no specific risk of censorship of video games. I don't recall reading anything specific to video games, but remember that the law is general. We would first need to lay out the judicial structure and define what a video game is within this structure. It would be extremely subjective and erroneous to try and control them.

Moving on to topics related to Baja, almost a month has passed without a Secretary General — how does this vacancy hurt us?

This is a discretional position, and only he can gauge this situation that is internally unfolding. I hope that it is resolved soon for the sake of politics, and not for the sake of legality. The government's operations and pace are not hindered by not having this position filled. That is what the sub–ministers are for. Francisco Rueda is a good member, along with others that are working there now. For political health it would be better that this vacancy is filled.

It seems as though you are a perfect fit for this position

Oh please! I really appreciate that. I have read and heard opinions but I think that is the prerogative of the executive branch, and I'll leave that decision up to the mayor. I appreciate the sincere wishes, but he makes decisions with his team and I don't take part in that discussion. I am a federal representative and I work for Mexico, and I don't consult with them on internal decisions.

Is your idea to finish up your term as legislator in September 2015?

That is my goal. If tomorrow or the next day you were to ask me 'Juan Manuel, would you like to work here for the State?'.. But right now, my work is with the legislature. I have had the notary grant for the past 13 years, and I must continue to train, and that can't be at the expense of politics. I mean, it is exciting, and is a massive undertaking, and is noble work, but it is not forever, and that is why I still have my legal practice, which I have not closed. I also haven't been flaunting around stupidly. What does my future hold? I don't know. I'll finish my master's degree, the legislating ends, and I will keep on going. The only thing I ask is that God gives me good health.

But you have political stock and are in a great moment in your career — would you seek a political position?

I always let things happen as they may. It is not really about getting in the photo because I want to be in it. Doing things well will put you in that position — more than placing yourself there will. If the opportunity arises tomorrow or the next day I would have to analyze it.

Are you interested in becoming mayor?

If the conditions and elements are right, yes, but not if it creates conflict within the party — of course I would like to, but not if it is forced. I just ask that the PAN does not form pre–form teams, and that whoever wants to be a candidate starts up their campaign committee in the PAN offices, and that if a person wants to launch their candidacy that they go to the PAN committee — so that those that want to be there from 8 to 5 may do so with dignity, as a team. No little gatherings here and there. No. That person should have the integrity to say 'I am going to try, and let's try together'. No party favors — if we did this the internal conflicts would die down.

Will this internal election between Gustavo Madero and Ernesto Cordero strengthen or weaken the party?

Unfortunately, we have lost the custom of doing things that don't benefit us, but it is our entire obligation to fight for this unity. I condemn those people, be it Madero or Cordero, because they are off with the press bad talking the other candidate. Do that inside the party, and wash your dirty laundry at home. The soft votes for PAN are large, and the sure vote is small. This internal strife deters soft voters, and we have not known to administer this carefully. I vote for Madero, but I hope that whoever wins extends an olive branch with the rest.  If Manuel Gomez Morin resuscitates, I would ask that they bury him again face down in order to not witness it. We have to be united and act in unison, or the citizenry will turn their backs on us. We have to prove that we are able to do things well and learn from our errors.  

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