by Nicasio Angelo Agustin
Part one of this article was published more than a month ago, before the elections to be exact, where I outlines some of the possible legacies as well as prevailing shortcomings of outgoing President Arroyo and her administration. Despite persistent refusal from many of us to accept the fact, the Arroyo administration has delivered much of its commitments in her 10-point agenda, and perhaps more, exceeding in some other ways the performance of her predecessors.
I am not an avid fan of the outgoing administration but I personally believe that the foot steps of PGMA are a bit hard to follow, less the allegations of election results rigging, widespread graft and corruptions against her and her family as well as many of her officials and party allies, anomalies of all sorts in government transactions, among others.
With less than 3 weeks more to go before PGMA finally makes a vow from Malacanang – not from the government because she has a fresh mandate from her constituents in her district in Pampanga for a 3-year term at the House of Representatives, it can be said that her most outstanding legacy is the first ever automated national and local elections in the Philippines, notwithstanding allegations of some irregularities. The automated elections were far from perfect yet not far from being successful, let alone the accuracy of results which could be a work for the succeeding ones.
As time ticks, it is not so much of a concern now of the outgoing administration. PGMA and her troop have nothing more to prove in terms of what they can do to the country – positively and negatively. History will judge her and her administration on the basis of her accomplishments. However, the many alleged anomalies and “sins” committed during her term need to be disproved sooner or later. This makes the ticking of time more exciting as we all anticipate a rather animated political show in the making.
As time ticks, Filipinos are more concerned now with the new President. Senator Noynoy Aquino is now making a head way towards the throne in Malacanang. The announcement of the final results of the canvassing being done by the Congress is moot and academic. Already, the apparent President-elect has made several “unofficial” yet very disturbing pronouncements. Just several days after the elections, we all heard him say that he won’t take his oath of office from the newly-appointed Chief Justice for reasons which are clear only to a few but not to the majority of Filipinos who voted for him. In fact, many questioned such simple act of arrogance on the part of Senator Noynoy.
Another more recent pronouncement of the apparent President-elect was his intention not to live in Malacanang. It’s absolutely true that this is his own personal call. As his girlfriend, Ms. Shalami Soledad said “whatever is convenient and comfortable to Noynoy…” But then, just thinking aloud, public service is not about personal convenience and comfort; more than anything else, it is about self-denial and sacrifice for the common good.
Many voted for Senator Noynoy because of his image as responsible, courteous, respectful and abiding son – one who prayed the rosary with his mother on her death bed, one who respected the traditional wake of her mother, one who endured that long processional convoy to lay his mother to her eternal resting place. That very limited image displayed by Senator Noynoy was, to me, his ticket in winning the hearts of Filipinos – sentimental and emotional as we are – especially those who voted for him.
Are we then seeing and hearing now the real and true Noynoy, or is he just about to prove to us that he is indeed a very respectful and abiding son – very obedient and subservient to his political elders? Is he really a strong-willed, assertive, determined and decisive person, or is he just the reverse – submissive, laidback, naïve, tentative and reluctant who is now being taken advantaged of by the people surrounding him?
My guess is Senator Noynoy is merely speaking his own mind. He is not forced, not obliged, not coerced by anybody in making such pronouncements. The Noynoy that we see and hear now is a real one very transparent, straight forward, plain and clear; devoid of pretensions and façades.
Soon enough, his clock as our Head of State will begin to tick. We ardently hope that the Noynoy that Filipinos put into power on May 10 would be the real one who would carry us to progress and prosperity till the end of his term, and one who will inspire us to move on even beyond.
Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@yahoo.com.
