Over the tension-filled weekend, she was careful that everything she did was in accordance with the law. It took a Supreme Court go-signal before she agreed to take her oath of office. She did not rush to name a new vice president nor did she rush to name the members of her Cabinet other than Bert Romulo. She knows the very broad-based coalition that brought her to power makes it necessary for her to consult before she makes major decisions.
It was refreshing for Filipinos to have as president, a person who obviously had the proper breeding to represent the country. Her high academic qualification as an economist, is very reassuring in this time of serious economic turmoil. Her patience in hearing out people will prove useful as she works out a consensus on key issues confronting us today.
In her first media interview with Korina Sanchez of ABS-CBN 2, it was good to know that she is also street smart, a quality that people may not instinctively give her credit for. She told Korina that she is familiar with balimbings and those who are out to get close to her so they can get favors. She gave reassurance that she will not commit the same mistakes of Erap in dealing with such people, even those who claim friendship. She is the type who will smile sweetly but still be able to say no to anyone, regardless of utang na loob.
She is also not unaware of the misgivings some sectors of the public may have about her close relatives. I don't know if she got that text message about husband Mike, just minutes after she took her oath. But one of her first instructions was to forbid the bureaucracy from granting any favors to her relatives and that should be an adequate response to that concern for now.
I guess she will look at the Margaret Thatcher model where Denis Thatcher, the First Gentleman, quietly stayed in the background and did nothing to embarrass her. Well, expect no problems from Gloria's children, who have promised to live simply. That's in line with Gloria's own pledge to lead by example.
I have covered Gloria in the Senate and also had the opportunity to see her work without the usual staff during the first APEC meeting at Seattle. She is a hands-on leader, one who could do the work all by herself if she had to. The fact that she knows what she is doing and she understands even complex issues, certainly helps. She may need advisers for foreign relations and national security, but not the battalion that Erap needed for practically every major issue.
She also plans ahead and works hard. This is something her rivals in the Senate found out too late. Not only did she make sure she is able to help as many barangays as she could, she was out in the countryside most weekends even when an election was years away.
And she knows how to touch people where and when it matters. When my mother died some years ago, most of the senators sent flowers. Gloria found time to come to the wake. I certainly didn't expect her there nor did I think that was necessary. I didn't think I was even that close to her to deserve the honor. What she did that night was something I will not forget.
In other words, Gloria is both a highly trained technocrat and a street smart politician. She speaks a number of dialects, and can claim to come from all three major regions of the country. She is tough as nails but can be charming as well, depending on the need. Those who had seen her dance with her husband Mike during the campaign tell me she dances a lot better than Tessie Oreta.
The only negative report I have heard about her comes from her staff. They complain about her being a tough taskmaster. But I think that's better than a boss who is easily satisfied with substandard work.
Her exposure in the social welfare department should have rounded up her exposure to the country's problems. Now we are sure she is aware of the serious problem of poverty and because she was immersed in it for over two years, she must have an idea what to do about it.
Maybe I am just overcome with the euphoria of EDSA 2. Maybe in a few weeks, I would be as disappointed with her as I was with Erap. But I think the big difference is, Gloria gives us reason to hope. And she seems determined not to let us down.
The test begins. We can’t afford another letdown.
James Riady, the Indonesian billionaire with close ties to Beijing’s leaders, was allowed to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the US. One of his banks will pay a fine of $8 million, to him a painless penalty. Because no threat of jail hangs over the Clinton money man who evaded subpoenas for almost five years, he is not induced to tell the whole truth about his hugely successful purchase of White House influence.
One wonders if Mark Jimenez, a Filipino fundraiser for Clinton and also for Erap, now feels sorry he didn’t work out a plea bargain while the Democrats were still in power. Now with the Republicans at the reins, they may just force the Philippine government to honor the extradition treaty by making sure this fugitive is on the first plane back to the US. I understand the original charges have now become even more serious because he ran away and failed to plea bargain.
Erap’s corporate genius has miscalculated, so it seems.
Here's one.
GMA will wear designer clothes by Osh Kosh, shoes by Barbie.
Here’s another.
GMA will appoint Sen. Juan Flavier as vice president because he is the only one she can see eye-to-eye with.
Finally, this one.
The reason GMA can’t move to Malacañang yet is because her high chair is not ready.
Let’s not 4get d mysteries that still need 2B exposed. 1) Where is Dacer?; 2) Who bombed LRT?; 3) Wats in 2nd envelope; 4) Who was Tessie Oreta's D.I.?
(Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@bayantel.com.ph)