Did we make the right choices?

Except for some sour-grapes, as well as, a few tweaks and isolated cases, the country’s second automated election was generally successful.  Indeed, the people have spoken.   To most of us, however, the results were bit different.  That is not surprising though, we have our own bets and we wanted them to win.  Therefore, results that will never conform to our wishes will always be, in our biased views, - strange, surprising or suspiciously rigged. 

However, if we are in agreement (as it was before international observers) that it was generally successful, then, griping on concluded undertakings is totally misplaced.  What we need to know now is, based on the results, where shall this nation head to.  Or, should we try to be more specific, we have to look into our own island of Cebu and see if we can move on or languish.

First and foremost though, we need to look at the national results.  Obviously, the result of the senatorial race (9-3 in favor of Team PNoy) straightforwardly sends a solitary but unequivocal message - affirmation of PNoy’s style of governance.  Armed with credibility, true enough, Pres. Noynoy Aquino was able to put himself in the best position in minimizing graft and corruption.  Substantially, he did it.  However, even if his credibility did spell a difference, it was likewise a fact that just minimizing graft and corruption won’t be enough to propel the economy.  To move on and attain the much desired “inclusive growth”, he must reconsider his unwavering stand against amending the economic provisions (like increasing foreign stake on certain businesses and even on land ownership, subject to certain restrictions) of our constitution.  With the majority of the lawmakers (in both houses) on his side, this could have been a walk in the park.  Despite this opportunity, however, in remaining steadfast in his position against such amendments, foreign direct investments may remain sluggish and the needed boost in employment which may help us attain “inclusive growth” may just stay where it is – a dream.

On the other hand, the results in the local elections offer a lot of opportunities for change.  For one, the Garcias are now out of the capitol.  Thus, we shall expect Suroy Suroy Sugbo to be undertaken the way acting Gov. Magpale (this time, Vice Governor-elect) did it during her brief stint.  Definitely, we’ll see a Suroy-Suroy Sugbo that shall promote places not faces.  It shall be less in frills but full of real tourist adventure and experience thirst-quenching activities.  Hopefully though, the province can develop more places of interest and the needed infrastructure that should make these spots reachable. 

Moreover, depending on how the Cebu City’s politics go, some noble projects could be a go or will again be on hold the next three (3) years.  Depending on how hard the BOPK-led council asserts itself and to what extent Mayor Mike Rama’s influence brings him, these surefire projects will remain in limbo.  The Province of Cebu’s Ciudad (undertaken with a private investor) will probably gather dust.  The dream of developing Camp Lapulapu into a bustling IT Park will most likely remain as that – a dream.  With unemployment obtaining and local migration continuing to pour in droves, such projects could have provided some solace among those who have remained or are rendered jobless.  As it looks right now (with the forces unaligned), however, the hindrances in the further development (SRP included) of these projects are now slowly becoming more apparent.   Therefore, with these issues unresolved, these projects shall, almost certain, be continuously left in the freezer. 

Indeed, amid these animosities, several inhabitants in the city and province of Cebu are left in the cold.  With these politicians egos still to be attended to, we (the hapless constituents) may just have to momentarily freeze while waiting for the manna to come.  As to how long the wait shall be, nobody knows.  What is certain however is, all these years their egos (old politicos) were well fed while progress continued to starve. 

All said, if some of these local economy-stimulating projects won’t move, we should blame ourselves.  Probably, we had wrong choices.

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