Would an iron fist policy be effective in governing our country?

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Yes, or why do Filipinos know how to behave when they are in other countries? I have also seen this during the early years of Martial Law.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: No, victory achieved via violence is not lasting. Governance would come easy if people see that their leaders can obey and enforce the law.

 P-Noy can do a Lee Kuan Yew

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: A benevolent dictatorship like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore should be adopted by P-Noy or any future leader to bring this country to the Promised Land. Otherwise, we have to endure the same vicious cycle.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: When a country is in turmoil like ours, an iron fist policy is what is direly needed to govern it effectively. Look at Singapore. It had Lee Kuan Yew’s iron fist and it became an economic tiger despite it being a mere city-state. P-Noy can be a Lee Kuan Yew and he can make our nation great if he can be a benevolent dictator. Go, P-Noy! We believe in you.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Pinoys can be whipped to toe the line as long as there are no serious abuses. We saw that in the initial stages of Martial Law but we started to rebel and fight back when push came to shove. People long to have a leader in the caliber of Mahathir and Lee Kuan Yew to lead us.

June Bamba, Metro Manila: An iron fist policy in the mold of Lee Kwan Yew would certainly result in big strides in our country’s march towards progress. An iron-fisted leader, however, must see to it that all institutions of government, particularly those involved in dispensing justice, are not compromised /damaged.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, our democracy is abused. Look at Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, where governments run their affairs with an iron fist. Vietnam has overtaken us economically and socially. If P-Noy’s government adopts that policy then we shall see a new Philippines. God bless our land.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Jesus Mendoza, Pangsinan: An iron fist policy is more effective in governing our country so long as we have a benign dictator in the mold of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew.

Dr Dencio Acop, Baguio City: Yes, it’s possible if P-Noy adopts a Lee Kuan Yew style of leadership. But he would need to appoint tough and credible officials in his government. There should be teamwork among them to maintain the effectiveness of an iron fist policy. And last but not least, walang lilihis at masisilaw sa kinang ng salapi.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: I think it would, but only if wielded by a benevolent and brilliant leader. And yes, it can be done in the Philippinesas proven by Presidents Marcos and Arroyo. The only thing the two lacked was benevolence. Personally, I have high hopes for P-Noy. I think he is capable of leading us to greater heights. Successfully leading the Philippines will entail much sacrifice from its leader. It will require of P-Noy to rule with an iron fist in the face of powerful interests who will do everything to sustain the status quo than give up their wealth, influence and perks. It will require of Noynoy to put his foot down in the face of a bureaucracy gone too corrupt, elites gone too arrogant, communities gone too indifferent, masses gone too apathetic, and leaders gone too selfish.

Definitely, a functional democracy requires a strong benevolent leader with an iron policy to effectively govern. We hope to find him in P-Noy.

Been there, done that

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: We’ve been there. We’ve done that. And where did it get us?

Ric Vergara, Calamba: Yes, as it will discipline Filipinos, but corruption stays. The military will abuse its authority. Di pa ba tayo nadala kay Macoy?

Felix Ramento, USA: Yes and no. Yes because we saw that under martial law, the excesses in our society can be contained. No because we also saw how absolute power sapped our people’s weal and the nation’s wealth.

Doesn’t work in a democratic country

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: An iron fist policy does not make a democratic country such as the Philippines as free as it should be. I say no.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: An iron fist and a democratic government don’t mix. It’s like sending iron fisted Manny Pacquiao in the ring with handcuffs on both hands.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: An iron fist policy in governance is ineffective in our democratic way of life where media is king as it tends to be a breeding ground for tyrants.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: A good leader in this time of crisis should be flexible in his policies. An iron fist policy is tantamount to a dictatorship. A good leader would not resort to an iron fist policy if he knows how to control his people by heart.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Adopting an iron fist policy may be a good stopgap measure to fight corruption and lawless elements but rights of the citizens tend to be trampled. People were happy when Marcos imposed Martial Law in 1972. Criminals in our society were rounded up but it didn’t take long when all that led to abuse. Corruption became wholesale, human rights violations numbered in the thousands. It took 20 long years and the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. for the people to rise up against his regime. There has never been a good dictator in history. An iron fist policy has no place in a democratic form of government.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It won’t work simply because an iron fist policy isn’t an ingredient for a vibrant democracy. Marcos tried it before and was almost copied by GMA but it brought the country to the dark ages.

Leaders must first abide the laws

Sammy Macana, Metro Davao: Yes, take the cue from former Mayor Rudy Duterte who transformed his city into one of the leading cities in the country today. Had it not been for his iron fist policy, Davao would have not been in the forefront of the progress today.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Sounds imperious and forebodes more chaos coming. To be effective, the government must first abide by the laws they endorsed and be the example for people to emulate.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Pinoys living abroad follow the laws of host countries because just like P-Noy, their leaders lead by example. It’s what we need.

Can P-Noy do it?

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Yes, but does Pres. Aquino have the political will to implement an iron fist policy? This was done during the early days of martial law.

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: I think Sen. Gordon’s style of leadership would be enough. His formula was one of amiable persistence, equal application of law, results-oriented and political will.

Yes, so we can instill discipline

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Yes, definitely. Dapat lang as many Pinoys are hardheaded and we’re used to lagay and kurakot. If it’s change we want, an iron fist is what we really need so that we can instill discipline and then, we can move forward.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Yes, it would be effective because the majority of Filipinos are notable law-breakers. Only an iron fist policy can instill discipline.

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Yes, Filipinos are pasaway and an iron fist policy is needed to effectively govern this country. It has been proven in the past when the Apo declared Martial Law. Filipinos became the most disciplined people on earth.

Rosemarie Araneta, Negros Occidental: Our elders used iron fists to make us toe the line, doing so for the love of us/watching out for us. Is anything wrong with that? As kids we rebel, as adults we are thankful. If Pres. Cory compared the presidency with running a household, then I believe that an iron fist will work for our nation.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: As the majority of Filipinos lack discipline and are genetically hard-headed, we deserve a government administered by strict leaders with an angelic aura like Presidents Ramon Magsaysay and Fidel V. Ramos. By coincidence, P-Noy is in their mold.

Roque Paghinayan, Metro Manila: Yes, if applied to all wrongdoers.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: I am ashamed to say this but the truth is, Filipinos are cowards. They follow to the letter laws in foreign lands where they migrate to work but act as untouchables in their own town. It’s best to govern them with an iron fist so they will behave appropriately.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: For ill-disciplined Filipinos, a benevolent dictator with lots of political will might move us to progress. FM was on the right track until Imelda took over.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, with this iron fist policy, even those with evil schemes will surely work efficiently towards a clean, honest compassionate and effective governance.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Yes, until we achieve moral and social transformations.

The harsher, the better

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Yes, I am for an iron fist policy. Kung pwede nga, guillotine pa para sa nagkasala.

What about human rights?

Elmo Cruz, Manila: An iron fist policy is just right for many Filipinos who were reared by irresponsible parents and nurtured by shrewd politicians for their own undue advantage. The problem is, how can it be carried out without breach of human rights?

Samson Caberto, Metro Manila: Yes, but not to the extent of duplicating what Pres. Marcos did. We Filipinos are hardheaded by nature. Kailangan talaga may dating ang namumuno!

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: Yes, considering the stubbornness, arrogance, selfishness, fatalistic and “couldn’t care less” mentalities of the majority of Filipinos. As long as it will be balanced with respect for human rights, an iron fist policy will be most effective in governing our country.

We should know better now

Gerii Calupitan, Marikina City: Twenty years of martial law/conjugal dictatorship made RP worse. It only got us deeper in debt, increased police/military abuses, and grew the ranks of leftist/Muslim separatists, etc. If P-Noy wants to use an iron fist policy to govern us, he should first: a. Make sure those who will be tasked to implement his law won’t abuse their authority and become part of the problem instead of being part of the solution; b. That whatever decree he makes will be for the good of the people; c. Don’t let Kamag-anak inc. get into the picture again. If he can assure us of these, then it might succeed. Good luck, P-Noy.

Lucas Madamba, USA: Yes, an iron fist policy can be effective in ensuring proper and good governance in our country. But this policy should only be implemented through peaceful, orderly and democratic purposes.

Implement laws without fear or favor

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: An iron fist policy will be counterproductive to our country due to the fact that most of us are basically rebellious in nature. What we need is the consistent implementation of laws without fear or favor, and the swift and fair administration of justice equally to everyone.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: The rule of law in our country has been taken for granted by most Filipinos for decades. Kung ano ang bawal, ay siya ring ginagawa or we say, “Wala namang nang-huhuli eh.” This is so because our existing laws are weak, so to speak. Perhaps the implementation of an iron fist policy will be a stepping stone to let everyone know that our government is now in a serious position to have the laws of the land strictly followed at all cost. Let our laws prevail, and in doing so, progress can be attained sooner than we think. Discipline is the answer if we want to have a happy life and a progressive country.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Yes, an iron fist policy simply means the execution of laws without fear and favor.

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City I think an iron fist policy will be effective but I don’t believe we need to go that far. All that the government has to do is to implement the law strictly but fairly. Filipinos tend to flout the law only because they know they can get away with it.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: It is my view that an iron fist policy is the equal application of law to every citizen, whether or not one belongs to a powerful clan. Mga batas na tunay na pinasusunod, na nasusunod at iginagalang ninuman ay isang kamay na bakal na pamamahala.

We would have a society of law abiders

Alex Katigbak, Parañaque City: Yes, we live in a contemptuous society. Just drive around and minute by minute you can observe laws or regulations being ignored or broken, from jaywalking, illegal vending, biking unsafely, throwing garbage indiscriminately and many more. An iron fist with compassion, where we can enforce law strictly in a very respectful manner, is the key. That way, respect will earn respect and we will surely have a society of law abiders that will propel our country to real progress economically, morally and environmentally.

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