How do you size up the President’s leadership qualities?

Pound for pound, she is, by far the best President this country ever had! Sadly, her critics only see her faults. –  Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental

GMA’s one hand is tied to patronage and traditional politics, and that’s the reason why she can’t utilize her leadership potentials to the maximum. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

Sayang…

While she commands the respect of her Cabinet and subordinates, her leadership qualities lack the ingredients of a great leadership. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

PGMA leads by words bereft of actions. Sayang, she has brilliant ideas but can’t implement them. – Ruel Bautista, Laguna

PGMA has all the qualities of a good leader, but she is weak due to her inability to set aside politics in policy formulation. – C. Fundales, Bulacan

There was something very inspiring in her style in the beginning, but she lost her luster. Faded glory. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

I think GMA didn’t live up to her promise to uplift the Filipino’s way of life. Being the economist that she is, she has failed miserably. – Marlon Cellona, Metro Manila

She could’ve been one of the best leaders, but her administration is tarnished with an endless string of anomalies that are never solved. – Ching Gaspar, Laoag City

The President projects herself up front as a super strict and tough leader, but underneath these qualities is her lenient accommodation. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

 She’s a hardworking President but can’t seem to move forward because of so many problems to solve. Let’s do our share to ease the burden of the government. – Julio Ibon, Laoag City

A good leader

She’s a good leader, having been  tutored by her father, plus, having had the privilege of studying in a prestigious school abroad. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

You’re asking us to assess GMA’s leadership? It’s excellent; must be better than that of Poe and Roco combined. Diosdado Macapagal had a Ph.D. from UST, GMA was conferred a Ph.D. in Economics by UP. I don’t doubt her leadership capabilities. – Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City

PGMA is a competent and strong leader. Need I say more? – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan

Mana lang si  GMA sa excellent leadership ng kanyang ama. More power to GMA. – Emilinda Farnacio, Pangasinan

The President’s leadership qualities are at par with those of the world’s best leaders. – Joe Edrosolan, Caloocan City

Selfish leadership

Gahaman! Makasarili! Hindi makatao! That is how I describe GMA’s leadership. GMA has all the qualities of a supposed good leader because she is highly educated, but she is gobbling up the kaban ng bayan. When I was younger, my Tatang was all praises of her father, Cong Dadong. It is said that hindi mamumunga ng bayabas ang santol, but with all that is happening to us now with GMA as our leader, that saying has been proven wrong. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

GMA as a leader? She is a leader who does not listen to the cry of her people. GMA cares... or does she? – Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City

She gets things done

Good governance requires a crack or two. You may not please everybody, but when you stir things up, you’ll eventually get results. PGMA, no doubt, is a working President. – Rico Fabello, Sucat

Although most of her programs are surrounded by controversiy, the President has a systematic approach in dealing with our economy. – A.R. Lorenzo, Metro Manila

PGMA is a hands-on, hardworking, and strong leader. For her, leadership is not a popularity contest as she makes decisions for the good of the country, even if these are not popular with the people. – Juan Deveraturda, Zambales

Psychologists say that besides the IQ, a good leader needs to have a high EQ or emotional quotient, which President Gloria seems to lack. But history is filled with leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Gen. George Patton, Gen. Douglas McArthur and many others who had low EQ yet were great leaders. Our “Taray Queen” could be one of them; she easily flares up but I have to admit, she gets things done. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

Despite the global food crisis and soaring oil prices, I rate her an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. – Gil Planas, Davao City

The President is a hands-on and workaholic public servant. She’s got the balls not found in many leaders of our country and beyond. – Eduardo Lozano, Nueva Vizcaya

GMA is doing all her best for the good of our country. – C. Manalastas, Manila

She is a hardworking president with an economic vision. She’s tough and has guts; she’s intelligent and brave enough to face anyone. Not even leaders of Superpowers can intimidate her. Her decision to pull out of Iraq was brave. However, if found guilty of money laundering and corruption, she should face the consequences. – Manuel Canlas, Pampanga

From what I am seeing, she is really very hardworking. She goes to every island in the Philippines, looking after various projects. She seems to have a good vision for the Philippines. The only problem is that the opposition is spending so much on surveys that shows 1,200 respondents are not satisfied with her performance. Woe to PGMA.  – Ampilo Sevilla Manila

The President is a hands-on leader. She does not just stay in Metro Manila to supervise and implement national projects. I think it’s good that she’s doing that because it keeps her regional directors and Cabinet secretaries on their toes. – Loi Castillo, Davao City

Ain’t easy being President

The question should be, “How do we size up our unruly populace, unwieldy politics for suitable/appropriate leadership?” Let’s look back to find out. – Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City

If we had a balanced rating of PGMA, I don’t think the survey will show low results. The problem is everyone is giddy with liberty without responsibility, freedom without sanity. Mother Teresa once said, “People are often illogical and self-centered. If you’re kind, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. If you’re successful, you’ll win false friends and some enemies. If honest and frank, people will cheat you. What you spend years of building, someone will destroy overnight. If you find happiness there is jealousy. The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow.” – Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City

I give her an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. The President is hardworking, but Filipinos are a difficult people to lead with so many know-it-alls. That’s why whoever is President can’t seem to do things right. – Seth Carranza, Catanduanes

Devoid of political will

Leaves much to be desired. The President should not hesitate to axe subalterns around her who are dragging her down. – Thelma Garcia, Quezon City

She is below par. Under her leadership, corrupt officials have prospered with their kickbacks and illegal activities. In this administration, you are face to face with irregularities, but they still have the guts to claim to be clean. Disgusting! – John Tadios, Muntinlupa City

Her leadership qualities are zilch, simply because she’s totally devoid of political will. – Rem Maclang, Marikina City

Sorry, but the leadership is simply weak and lame. It’s full of patronage and rhetorics, and lacking in concrete action. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

 GMA tries hard to be a good leader, no question about it, but it’s a pity that she lacks toughness and political will. She depends too much on the military and police and she’s afraid to displease the Church. – E. Linsangan, Isabela

She’s a good leader, though most of her visions lack concrete action because of political accommodation. – Digoy Coro, Batangas

How I wish she could be more Thatcher-like in handling the affairs of the state with a “damn the torpedoes” attitude, like Admiral Farragut. – Jose Jumawan, Antipolo City

Just like her size. Joke, joke, joke! She has more talk, but sorry to say, less action. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

Dependent on the military

Her being in control is mainly due to the misguided loyalty of AFP generals she pampers. She shows poor governance, thus, poor ratings. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

Poor; it is difficult for GMA to run the government independently because she knows that her survival depends upon the support of ex-military men around her and lawyers. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

She is quite a good leader but she always relies too much on the military, like appointing retired officials to various positions in government as if she has a debt of gratitude towards them. She also tends to listen to her advisers too much, even if they sometimes give her bad advice. She keeps on trying to justify her wrongdoing with various excuses. – James Gaw, Quezon City

She just doesn’t hack it

A good leader has the ability to influence others, has a strong vision and goals, has humility and great wisdom. This is contrary to what our President is. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Leaders with small stature oftentimes have to prove that they can be good leaders, too, and this could be why PGMA’s leadership is fast becoming like Argentina’s. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

 As a leader, GMA is mediocre. She’s lacking Marcos’ brilliance, Magsaysay’s charisma, FVR’s discipline and Quezon’s political will. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City

The leadership of PGMA is left wanting because of her shallow promises that our economy is on track. – Manny Gamo Sr., Las Piñas City

Her leadership qualities? Just like her size. – Edgar Artates, Parañaque City

We have a Kapampangan President that is quickly improving backwards. – Red Dulinayan, Ifugao

GMA’s leadership rates higher than Robert Mugabe’s. – Noel Diaz, Manila

Incredible staying power

The President’s leadership qualities keeps me in awe. She continues to reign despite all the uncertainties brought about by coups and corruption. – Ricky Mendoza, Las Piñas City

Not as bad as the opposition wishes to paint it. Her firm stand on populist but injurious issues are marvelous. Mind you, if she is weak, she would have been driven out of office long ago. Her staying power is incredible. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

I think the President’s leadership qualities are great. She’s still there up to now. Many still believe in her. – Nonoy Gahol, Davao City

The Philippine presidency is a very powerful position such that everything gravitates towards that seat of power. Our President has wielded that power to the maximum to boost her firmness in leading the nation. She does her thing to the point of being stubborn – a leadership quality that is good at times, but can put a leader in a lot of trouble. – I. Calata, Parañaque City

Credibility problem

How can Mrs. Arroyo be an effective leader when the legitimacy of her election as President is still being questioned? – T. Sanez, Cavite

Leadership is the art of gaining either respect or fear from your subjects. As a President hanging by her fingernails due to unanswered questions regarding her mandate, graft charges and taray, what she has earned is hatred instead. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

So far, not so good. People are still skeptical about everything she does. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

Sorry, but I find PGMA’s qualities as a leader are not credible. Ang layo niya kay DM. – Ric Vergara, Calamba

Carrot-and-stick leadership

The President’s carrot-and-stick leadership earns her the support of subordinates through a system of rewards and I would say that she is a tough president to beat. She might have good intentions in running the country except that she keeps paying back people who, one way or another, helped her along the way. This is the reason why her popularity continues to go down. – Marvin Noriega, Manila

It is leadership with a high sense of personal power. She makes minions of her subordinates. They’re now subservient to her political whims. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

Small but terrible

Bonaparte-like or Napoleonic. PGMA may be small in stature, but our pint-sized leader has gargantuan will power. Erap, with his alcohol-laced brain, found out the hard way that his silver-screen machismo was no match to PGMA’s iron will. However, Napoleon had his Waterloo. PGMA’s downfall may be Pac-Mike. 80 percent si Ate Glo for me. – Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City

She’s a small-but-terrible leader. I do not expect her to be a super woman, but she’s doing a great job. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

This much we know

GMA’s qualities are sized up, mirrored and shown by the plight of both her followers and non-believers, the poorest among the poor! – G. Gumban, Davao City

The poor are getting poorer. – Jayson Biadog, Mandaluyong City

Who cares about qualities in these times of hunger and poverty? Just look around and you’ll get an overwhelming answer. – Imee Aglibot, Rizal

Above-average

I am not apt to size up her leadership qualities, but I am quite sure that both her IQ and EQ are above-average. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Her leadership may not be perfect but she possesses good qualities. She’s also a strong-minded leader. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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