Do you agree with P-Noy that strong clamor for change means that Filipinos are shedding their apathy?

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: There is nothing new with this clamor for change. It has been with us since the ’60s and ’70s.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Filipinos, especially the young, are now very active and vocal in the clamor for change. Time will come when apathy will be a thing of the past. 

I agree

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I certainly agree with P-Noy that the strong clamor for change means that Filipinos are shedding their apathy. He senses it right.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Absolutely and unequivocally yes. Such clamor for change was manifested when the people elected P-Noy as President in the May 2010 polls despite formidable opposition from Erap, Manny Villar and Gilbert Teodoro. However, P-Noy has to prove in his second year in office that he’s worthy of the people’s trust by improving his performance immensely to arrest his declining popularity ratings. Should he fail to improve the barely passing grade given him by the business community, his continued stay in office will be jeopardized by the rising dissatisfaction and discontent of the people who may engage in widespread protests via cyberspace and the streets. History tends to repeat itself. What happened to Erap may befall him. 

Not doing enough

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: The clamor for change could be a sign that P-Noy is not doing enough. He abolished ‘wang-wang’, but jueteng is still widespread. There’s a “no smoking” campaign, but smoke-belching PUVs and trucks still pollute the environment. Those who experience hunger have gone down by a million, but the government spent P22 billion in conditional cash transfer to do it. It’s been one year, but officials of the past administration have yet to be punished for corruption.

Adrian Catral, Quezon City: I agree. There is a strong clamor for good governance. Ang nangyayari kasi ngayon, nasa ilalim tayo ng mahinang pamamahala ng gobyerno. 

Seeking monumental change

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Our nation has been through two Edsa movements but, sad to say, we have seen only a few changes, and these changes capitalized only on a small fraction of the sectors of society. 

What apathy?

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The clamor for change is a constant, but nothing quite substantial has changed so far. What apathy is there to shed? 

There has always been a clamor

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: No, the strong clamor for change has been there and has never changed since the Spanish colonization. The present clamor is a result of the many promises that P-Noy made during the campaign. Filipinos will always be apathetic unless they see a new leader that walks the talk and wields much political will impartially.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I don’t agree with President Aquino. We may be slow to act, but we have never been apathetic, and we need only to reach a threshold when the clamor within us just explodes and leads us to do whatever is necessary, especially when led into it by the proper leaders. Filipinos are not apathetic to change. The ouster of FM and Erap are concrete evidence that they will take matters into their hands if the President is stubborn to the call of the nation. Demonstrations and rallies, though chaotic and riotous, are also a clear manifestation of Filipinos’ desire for change. The change Filipinos are clamoring for are now being channeled through constitutional amendments, which is proper and civilized. P-Noy’s statement is unnecessary. 

We rise to the challenge

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: Look at what led us to Edsa in 1986. It was the pent-up feeling for something drastic to be done, and it came to a boiling point, at the right time, with the right leaders! Our strong clamor for change has not changed a bit, for the Filipino people have now become frustrated with promises of change since Edsa I. Of course, there are exceptions as there are, among us, those afflicted with apathy as a result of their frustration. Pero ‘pag nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makibaka, their seeming apathy explodes. 

P-Noy should do the same

Danilo Rogayan Jr., Zambales: Filipinos’ desire for real change is a long-standing story. With the election of President Aquino, Filipinos’ clamor for change upsurged. Everyone hopes that P-Noy would be able to address the country’s problems, as reflected in his promises when he assumed office. One year has gone by, but the accomplishments of his administration remain vague for the people to see and feel. We, Filipinos, have long shed our apathy. I only wish that the President would do the same.

Bong Nebrija, Quezon City: I guess the only thing that hasn’t changed in our society is the people’s clamor for change. Since the time of Marcos, people have been seeking a government that will put our country back to economic recovery and political stability. P-Noy is already the President but he is still acting like a senator, involving himself in an exposé frenzy against the previous government. If they have proof, then file the cases, because that is the only way to put people to justice. Filipinos have long shed their apathy; the same reason why you, Mr. President, were elected as President. The question is, has he shed his own? 

He should know better

Elmo Cruz, Manila: The President’s sense of humor is way off. We Filipinos are dying for change for the better. He must focus on drawing a strong economic plan and act on it vigorously, instead of uttering useless tirades against the past administration.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: To a certain degree, P-Noy must be correct to say that strong clamor for change means that Pinoys are shedding their apathy. Most Pinoys were fence-sitters, and I am afraid that the same holds true even to this day. They sweet-surrender to the fact that almost all in the corridors of power in the three branches of government can be made to dance by the music of dirty money. Now, they clamor for change, having learned that apathy and complacency on corruption that is happening around them aggravate their pains. P-Noy should know this. He is the son of People Power. 

Everyone wants to have a say

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Rightly so. Now everybody wants to take part in the chores of nation-building.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: There are still two sets of Pinoys in that case: those who want to participate in nation-building and those who just want to watch as events unfold. 

Apathy of the elite

Felix Ramento, USA: I beg to disagree. It’s the other way around in that the strong clamor for change means that Filipinos are sick and tired of the apathy of the ruling elite and their cohorts in the center of power towards our suffering people.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: P-Noy is seeing it differently. Filipinos’ strong clamor for change is due to the fact that most of us have been treated as dumb by our ruling elite for quite some time now, as they just keep enriching themselves through the armor of twisted political power. With the advent of the Internet, many people are becoming aware of what is exactly the real score. That’s why when P-Noy pledged to stop or minimize corruption in his campaign, many people hoped for and trusted in his vision. It is this change that most of us strongly clamor for, and P-Noy should watch out. The moment he fails to deliver this promise, it might negatively seal his legacy as well as that of his great parents. 

People have grown tired of waiting

J. Fuerte, Manila: No, I don’t agree with P-Noy. I don’t believe that apathy has ever been a problem with the people, because their dream for a better life has always remained their biggest concern. It’s just that Filipinos under past administrations have largely been ignored and have grown tired of clamoring for reform that have fallen on the deaf ears of past government officials, who were too occupied taking care of themselves and looking after each other, instead of advancing the people’s welfare. Under this administration, the “clamor for change” is the people’s renewed plea for action, because they feel that P-Noy’s promise to improve their lot is taking a little too long to materialize. More than anything else, the strong clamor, I think, is a clear message from the people that they have been waiting long enough for that promise to become a reality.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: My take is that the strong clamor for change means that Filipinos are getting impatient from waiting, more than they are shedding their apathy.

Janet Lopez, Manila: The clamor may soon be drowned out by the rumblings of millions of hungry stomachs marching towards the Pasig Palace and the gated havens. 

Change is elusive

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Clamor for change? Who is he fooling? The situation is getting worse than before. Walang nagbago, Mr. President.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Whether there’s substance or not to what he’s saying, P-Noy must act concretely, and not talk only, to obtain desirable results. Until now, after one year in office, jueteng and its payola are still raging, thus no change, but pure blah-blah-blah only. It seems that he’s deaf and blind with regard to jueteng, forgetting that this is the monster that broke Erap.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: We have the misfortune of bringing to the political scene people we thought armed with the promise of change, but a year after, change is still very elusive. This may be because of the major development imbalance in our country. Everything is focused on Metro Manila because of our centralized government, even if this is not working for the advantage of the poor. The change we need is for a leader who will dismantle imperial Manila, disperse development to the rest of the Philippines, and stop political cancer from growing, by making laws that prevent dynasties to pass on political control within their families.

Losing trust

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Filipinos already shed their apathy during Edsa 1. Their clamor for change now arises from slowly losing trust in the present leadership. 

Get back to work

Noel Navales, Manila: Irrelevant. There’s a lot that needs to be done. It’s time to stop stalling and to get down to business, Mr. President.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna : Filipinos have been suffering from graft and corruption for a long time. Change is the magic word P-Noy used to ride to victory. He must show and lead the way. 

People want P-Noy to step up

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Yes, people clamor for change; a change in his easygoing working style, that is. How can he inspire people to cooperate and work hard?

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Yes, provided Aquino changes his ways, his vindictive mind and working habit. Otherwise, he must be changed, and the reign given to someone who can man up to the job.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Hindi naging Pangulo ang kanyang ina kundi sa nasang pagbabago ng mga Pilipino. Nahalal rin siyang Pangulo dahil sa pag-aakala ng mga Pilipino na gagawa siya ng pagbabago. Pakiusap, Pangulong Aquino, kumilos ka nang mabilis at maayos. Ayaw ng mga Pilipino nang papatay-patay at baka mapaalis ka sa pagka-Pangulo nang wala sa panahon. 

We should be more aware

Dr. Francis Regalado, Manila: I was moved by the photo of P-Noy delivering a speech in your recent issue. In his backdrop, a student is seen holding the banner “Pilipinas”. It should serve as a sign of resurgence. And yes, Filipinos should be more aware in taking part of the issues around them. Let me quote the father of American actors, Clooney. He said, “You help those with less power than you and you challenge those with more power than you. If we can shine a light in a dark place, that would be a good thing to do. And if we fail, we fail, but, in the meantime, there’s no excuse and no reason not to try.” 

Media should also be vigilant

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It remains to be seen, with so many scandals being discovered by the present government. Most Filipinos choose to turn a blind eye instead, and media should also be vigilant on important issues. 

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