Uncertainty haunts the country

The recent SWS survey revealed that seven out of 10 Filipinos say it is too early to tell whether President Aquino will succeed or not in his six-year term. Perhaps, the respondents were just being non-judgmental, but I believe one year is enough to gauge the success or failure of an administration. By observing its responses to crucial events and plotting out the nature and direction of these responses, one can get a good idea where that administration is heading. And where is the current administration heading?

 Let’s look back what happened in the last 12 months. At the outset, there was the Hongkong tourists hostage crisis which claimed the lives of eight visitors, thanks to the bunglers in PNoy’s circle. Most likely, that tragedy could have been averted but nobody seemed to have been in command. Nobody, including the President himself who was reported to be out of contact in the critical hours of the event. After the smoke cleared more bungling followed, the most serious of which was the setting aside of the fact-finding committee report headed by no less than the justice secretary. As a result not one of those responsible for the bloody fiasco was charged, a development which made Hongkong authorities mad at us.

 Early on somebody in Malacañang crafted an executive order declaring all level two positions occupied by non-CESO personnel vacant. Implemented, this would have paralyzed the entire bureaucracy. The recourse was to hurriedly rescind the order thereby preventing total breakdown of basic services. But the happening exposed the shocking incompetence of the new Malacañang bright boys.

 Sometime ago talks about KKK (Kaibigan, Kaklase, Kabarilan) surfaced in Congress and in many social circles. Someone called for investigation but the whole thing died down. Yet many observers are alarmed about the three K’s. For indeed, despite PNoy’s well publicized crusade against corruption those who belong to the K-group seem to be untouchable. Example: That LTO lady who despite DOJ’s recommendation for an-indeep investigation is allowed to reassume office. Another example: That prison chief who refused to give up his post despite a scandalous leadership lapse. No wonder some of the President’s cabinet men are calling it quits. Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus of DOTC, one of PNoy’s most credible and reliable agency heads was among those who gave up. It was certainly a big blow to PNoy’s leadership because De Jesus (he was our session director in a CESO course at DAP in the early 1980’s) is a no nonsense technocrat whose integrity is above par.

 “Walang mahirap kung walang corrupt,” was PNoy’s catchcall during the presidential campaign. But recent reports have it that the number of very poor Filipinos has risen compared to last year’s figure. Unemployment too, at 10 percent of employable adults, has remained at critical level. But what remedial measure has the administration taken? Almost none – except that controversial CCT (controlled cash transfer) which doles out money to indigent families and costs the government hundreds of millions. Handling out cash to the needy may chalk high as an act of mercy, but the psychological damage it does to the recipients is incalculable. Idleness for one is encouraged and low productivity threatens social stability. Yet who says this measure is not politically beneficial?

 Political expediency – this seems to remain a lodestone in the neck of Filipino leadership, including that of PNoy’s. For how else can one explain his move to raise the pork barrel of legislators? At P10 million add-on for congressman and P30 million for senators, this windfall is costing the government almost a billion pesos. And for what purpose? Just to make congress play ball with Malacañang.

 Sadly, even as we waste precious millions in this indiscretion other urgent needs are left unattended. Look at our decrepit school system. Look at the kids without classrooms or stacked like sardines in available rooms. Look at the shockingly dearth of learning materials, more so in science classes. Look at the hapless teachers trying to create pedagogic miracles with malnourished kids. Look at these and cry for your country because you are looking at what your country will be years from now.

 Add to this the President’s declared support of the RH bill and you get an idea of a leadership with doubtful agenda. No wonder only one in every five Filipinos (in this SWS survey) says that PNoy will be successful in his presidency.