Time is up, Mr. President

In 2010, Filipinos decisively elected Aquino, who never planned to be President. In the words of Budget Secretary Abad, he was an unassuming bachelor-politician, sustained only by his bloodline of democracy icons. His father, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, was gunned down on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport when he returned to the Philippines in August 1983. The tragedy resulted in the people power revolution in 1986 that toppled down the Marcos dictatorship and thrust his mother, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, into the presidency. When Cory died and the presidential race was at its peak, the reluctant Noynoy wasn’t sure if he wanted to become the president. But seeing the power his parent’s had on the Filipinos at a time when the country needed change, he accepted the challenge and ran for the presidency.

Now all that is history. He has been our President for three years and the people are beginning to become restless, frustrated and impatient. Like many Pinoys, I was hopeful that he would be able to bring about changes. I was wrong and actually am very disheartened. He has good plans but has been working at a very slow pace and uncertain path. Things seem to have gotten even worse. Power rates are on the rise. Traffic is at its peak. Roads and highways are terrible. Taxes are skyrocketing. Corruption (during PNoy’s time) on PDAF has worsened. National security has fallen off its trail. The economic growth is confusing and the “good” reports seem partial and superficial.

In his inaugural speech, P-Noy proclaimed, “I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if I do not fulfill the promises I made. My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.” The Filipino people were hopeful that finally a knight in shining armor has come to save us from all our troubles and misery. But after three years, he has not been able to even resolve the Hacienda Luisita problem – something very close to his heart. It was all propaganda and lip service.

Another year has come to pass and still our country is at the bottomless pit. This is a cause for us to be alarmed and worried about the future.

In his New Year’s message, P-Noy likened the remainder of his term to the crucial “last two minutes” of a basketball game. He said that we have no time to waste. He promised to redouble efforts to stamp out corruption, institute more growth and reforms and win the peace in Mindanao in 2014. He rallied Filipinos to stay on the “straight path” (tuwid na daan) to overcome challenges and continue the country’s growth.

Generally, P-Noy is seen by many as a man with good intentions, trying to do what is right and good for the country and the Filipino people. But are good intentions enough? I remember my father telling me that inefficiency is as close to being corrupt. If you can’t get things done and have way too many reasons as to why things can’t be done then there is a problem in your leadership. You are a failure.

The Palace spokesmen more often than not would always justify their actions. Recently, Abigail Valte said the palace has “no magic wand” to solve the electricity problems of this country. Wow! The magic wand is actually the power Malacañang has to solve the problem Ms. Valte – to get professional consultants, to stop the politicking of these power groups and to get in the nitty gritty details of the problem in order to analyze, evaluate and resolve it. Now, if that were La Gloria talking, she would surely have an intelligent answer and will assure the people that things will work out fine. The humility she had during her time was a gift. She also had a big heart which P-Noy and his people don’t have. They are big, vindictive and heartless bullies.

Anyway, do you know that since assuming the Presidency in 2010, Aquino approved a total of P521.88 billion-worth of projects. Most of these projects are in the hands of the DPWH and DOTC. Sad to say, there are still projects that have not started while others have not been completed.

In September last year, Rene Santiago, president of the consultancy firm Bellwether Advisory Inc., noted the DOTC has not yet implemented any major PPP project, considering how Metro Manila badly needs new infrastructure to address the traffic problem. Bidding for major infrastructure projects under the DOTC such as the LRT-1 Cavite extension project, Mactan Cebu international airport expansion project, and the automated fare collection system (AFCS) for the LRT-MRT have been delayed. Funds are available but the DOTC officials are not able to execute any of the major infrastructure projects.

The DPWH on the other hand has also fallen short of their project completion targets. As a matter of fact, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the department has several unfinished drainage projects in Metro Manila which could have contributed to the flooding in the Metro.

Another project that needs urgent attention is the AFP Modernization Program. More than P85 billion is needed for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the next four years. This will cover a total of 24 projects in line with the new Armed Forces Modernization Law. Let us observe. The AFP seems to be quiet on the home front these days. Are they brewing up something special?

In Agriculture, over P300 million could have been saved from spending irregularities on agricultural infrastructure projects and could have helped farmers in more than four provinces, according to the Commission on Audit after it audited the Department of Agrarian Reform. COA said slow spending has also caused the failure of DAR to implement 27 farm-to-market roads, potable water systems, trainings, post-harvest facilities and communal irrigation projects. Our wise politicians have used the Department of Agriculture in their corrupt deals. This sleeping giant needs total revamp in personnel and systems. The dark façade of its building just gives me the creeps.

So what else can we expect from the power-hungry leaders of this ill-fated country? Tragedies are a common thing and unsolved crimes continue to be ignored. And we, as a people have not achieved full maturation in dealing with political matters. We still lack the political will to stand and act in accordance to what we believe is right and just.

P-Noy’s ‘tuwid na daan’ is a long and arduous path. And in his last two minutes in the “court”, will he still be able to make that 3-point shot to hit the mark and leave a legacy to the country?Abangan!