Has the government become our enemy?

It was during the time of President Ramon Magsaysay when the citizens truly had faith in the government. His administration was considered the cleanest. Trade and industry flourished, the Philippine military was at its prime and the Filipino people were given international recognition in sports, culture and foreign affairs. The Philippines then ranked second in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries. Magsaysay’s regime was the Philippine’s golden years.

After this, public service went on a downward fall. Public officials who were supposed to serve and improve the structures of the country collected their buck to enrich themselves with land (that belonged to the people), established corporations that exploited our natural resources (like coal, mine, copper, water) and got involved with shady deals at the expense of the taxpayers. A thread of greed had been set by these officials. They became rich and kept a heritage of public service. To this day their families continue the lineage of power.

All these years, we have “kamag-anaks”, best friends, kumpadres, in government, always hovering to get their take. Instead of building good infrastructure, they steal and cheat us. Instead of giving us the best education, they keep us dumb. Instead of keeping water and electricity and gas prices down, they continue to cheat and make us pay what they have stolen. Instead of alleviating poverty, they continue to make us poor stripping off our self-respect and dignity.

P-Noy comes from the upper class of this society’s triangle. Does he know how it feels to live in the bottom? Is it enough that he focuses his energies on Manila? What about the provinces and smaller towns in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao? Is he well informed about the condition in the far-flung places so that he can fulfill and meet the needs of the people around the archipelago?

P-Noy belongs to a family of politicians. The Luisita issue is like a Damocles sword hanging over his head. This will always pose a constant threat to his determination to change systems and lead the country to progress. How will he be able to break this curse in order to redirect public service to truly and sincerely serve the people?

Failure of true leadership in our country started even before Typhoon Ondoy. The disaster that caused many lives and loss of property was a perfect example of a lack of foresight in planning for the future. Did the government take heed of the cries for improving the flood control systems? Let us not forget what “Jun” Palafox said: “Ondoy was not an act of God but a sin of omission by government and private real estate developers.”

Last Wednesday, the Cainta and Pasig areas were once again flooded. At 5:30 in the afternoon, the LRT station along Marcos Highway Marikina was full of commuters. People were waiting for the jeepneys, FX and other public transport vehicles but these never came due to the flooded streets along Marcos Highway, Felix Avenue and Ortigas Extension. The people had to walk through knee to waist deep water along these roads. Some people had to wait for almost seven hours for the water to subside and the roads to be passable.

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President Noy exudes an aura of goodness and gentile manners. He has good and well-meaning plans for this country. The problem is that we are not sure about the people he has placed in vital positions — many of whom may fail him. It is a known fact that the different departments and agencies have their traditional corrupt ways. We also know that corruption in many forms is still happening under our noses. Will his chosen ones be able to fight corruption? Or will they eventually join the bandwagon too.

P-Noy must develop a strong system to spot check or counter-check the actions and initiatives of his people. This is the only way to ensure that everything they do is in accordance with his vision.

At this point in time, in many agencies, particularly those responsible for the issuance of government permits, I still notice officers receiving direct payments — and they want cash! Where are the windows that separate the officers who approve the permits from the cashiers? Why do the people who issue permits get to accept the money? Isn’t this system encouraging more corruption?

It is very important to “condition” the people in government to do good. But how can this be possible if the environment is in total disarray — no order whatsoever! For instance the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame is beautifying the façade and its grand stand area. But if you go behind this area, you will see how pathetic the environment is. There are no directional signs. Order in the different sections is lacking. Shouldn’t the PNP establish a good system? Shouldn’t they seriously look into their organization being the seat of service, honor and justice?

If you visit the place you will be surprise to see policemen slouching lazily, watching their posts, even smoking and using the cell phone while on duty inside the camp. You will see litter around. What is most revolting is that many sections that should be highly secured look like squatter areas. Offices have broken chairs, dilapidated tables and comfort rooms are dirty. In complete contrast, you notice that the offices of the generals are beautifully designed and fully equipped with state of the art equipment. How demoralizing indeed for the young men and women in the police force.

Why do we need to suffer and make all the sacrifices? Why do we need to be at the mercy of such environments and officials? Why can’t the government perform to high standards? Has the government become the enemy of the people?

The first year of P-Noy is crucial. He must continue to be in control and not give his men total freedom to make decisions. Their decisions must be aligned with his vision in leading the country. And the best way to do this is for him to persistently reinforce his ways of management and leadership.

Leaders fail when they have a lack of foresight to plan for the future. P-Noy needs a checklist so that nothing will be missed. If he needs to be an obsessive-compulsive leader in order to succeed, then he must do so.

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Is it true that the head of a politically influential religious sect has sent word to President Noynoy to ignore his endorsement for several recommendees (still unappointed) to various government positions?

This religious sect supported P-Noy and VP candidate Mar Roxas in the May 10 polls. The same group was a “power center” especially in securing appointments for its recommendees under the Marcos, Estrada and GMA administrations.

With P-Noy’s massive popularity, he can afford to ignore all “power centers” if what they demand is deemed not beneficial to the country.

Those recommending people to the president for appointment especially to vital government posts should realize that it is the president’s signature that appears in all presidential appointment papers. Thus, if the appointment is criticized for a number of valid reasons, it is the president who gets the flak – especially if the appointee is publicly notorious for dishonesty, incompetence or has been previously dismissed from the government.

After issuing the executive orders nullifying “midnight” appointments and the upgrading of government lawyers to Career Executive Service Officer III, Malacañang functionaries must now be very judicious in screening the replacements for those appointed to the posts to be vacated — including those now being conceived for important agencies.