MANILA, Philippines - A political analyst on Wednesday said super typhoon Yolanda has brought the presidential ambition of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to its knees.
This after the national government miserably failed to conduct a quick response and bring the necessary aid to people affected by the devastation of the powerful storm in areas in eastern Visayas.
"Obviously, ang tinamaan dito sa 'Yolanda' is Mar Roxas. I think to the point na luhod sya dito. Mahirap bumangon unless you really make a great effort...the problem is that I don't think he has the time," Mon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform said.
Roxas, who has been tasked by President Benigno Aquino III to oversee and supervise the relief and rehabilitation in Yolanda devastated areas, is being groomed as Aquino's successor for the 2016 national elections.
Casiple also said the national government should have drafted a back up plan to immediately help those affected by the typhoon.
"If you're a general, tapos may maganda kang plano pero pagdating mo sa battlefield eh iba pala ang assumptions. Prepared ka dapat to do away with your entire track otherwise matatalo ka," he said.
Casiple said the national government should have thrown away the protocols on how to respond to disasters as "Yolanda was way,way beyond any protocol."
"Tignan mo 'yung effect, 'yung unang tama wasak agad 'yung first responder mismo biktima. At hindi pwedeng sabihin nila Mar Roxas na humahawak ng response na hindi nila alam yun. Nasa Tacloban sila eh.Pati sila na cut off.
"It turned out that the apparent protocol is not enough. Walang first responders ang national goverment. Puro sila support. Papasok lang sila after a week... ang tanong dyan anong nangyari sa mga biktima in the first five days. May reports tayo na may naipit sa debris buhay. Wala nang naghahanap ng survivors. Paano kung 'yung first responder mo under the debris. Paano mo na tulungan 'yung iba?" Casiple said.