Presidential predicaments and paradoxes
We all know by now that it is not easy to be the President of 100 million people, living dangerously in more than seven thousand islands, and also to be mindful of the twelve million Filipino migrants in 200 countries all over the world. The people expect the President to solve all problems and to be present everywhere and anywhere whenever there are predicaments to untie. Thus, he must have the vision of Quezon, the perseverance of Osmeña, the brains of Marcos, and the heart and conscience of Cory Aquino. He must be as hardworking as FVR with the mass appeal and popularity of Erap.
President Noy should be leading us by now, with a clearly articulated shared vision and common purpose. Above all, he should have chosen highly competent and passionate men and women in his inner circle, who have the character and the needed dedication. PNoy may have the best intentions, but if he does not put his house in order, he may end up being more hated than respected. He faces a lot of predicaments that he unwittingly allows to derail his plans and sabotage his place in history. He has barely a year and five months to salvage this disaster.
First, why is he retaining Binay in the Cabinet if the marching order from the party in power is to crucify the Vice President like hell? Second, if he sees Roxas as incapable of leading even a police operation like Mamasapano affair, then why is he still in DILG? Why not replace Roxas with his favorite Alan Purisima or Ping Lacson? Third, if General Espina is not good enough to be PNP chief, why is he still acting? Fourth, if Secretary De Lima cannot even solve the Bilibid imbroglio, why delay her transfer to the COMELEC?
Fifth, if Secretary Abaya cannot even shape up our airports and seaports, why is he not shipped out? Sixth, if Secretary Petilla does not have the solution to the impending power crisis, then why not appoint a technocrat to handle a highly technical job? Why does the President ignore the views of Senator Serge Osmeña? Eighth, why is there a need for two Agriculture Secretaries? Ninth, if Secretary Soliman cannot clean up the streets of children and entire families, why not assign her to a luxurious resort in Batangas? Tenth, why is Secretary Garin still over-acting?
And why not promote such competent men as MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino, and a woman of character, Rep Leny Robredo of Naga? Why not give Secretary Sonny Coloma a line agency to lead? And if indeed, the President's favorite is Kim Henares, why not elevate her to the Cabinet? What is his plan for Ping Lacson? The President has a lot of problems but the solutions are just around the corner. The only major problem is that until now, he is unable to confront the predicament of what criterion to use: competence or friendship.
At the end of his term, the President will most probably be remembered as one who failed to achieve greatness because he did not want to displease his friends and political allies. His refusal to bite the bullet and address the predicaments in choosing critical men and women will emerge as the greatest paradox of his presidency.
Sayang.
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