Remaking Erap - Sketches

What did I say? Until the next survey. With his ratings improving in the latest Pulse Asia poll, President Erap has been emboldened again to push for his constitutional amendments. If another polling firm shows similar results, forget the second wave of Cabinet revamp. And forget kicking out those "calling card" or "illegitimate" presidential advisers and consultants. In this administration, everyone is legitimate.

Proof that presidential spirits are improving is that he's talking tough again. Yesterday, he told "bleeding heart" human rights advocates that his administration will meet criminality with a "clenched fist." In a nation where capital punishment continues to enjoy widespread support (according to surveys), he knows tough talk will endear him to his fans.

Yesterday he also warned abusive friends that all political debts are off. This is better than his plaintive plea to relatives and friends in his Report to the Nation last Saturday: "When you drop my name, you drag me down."

One can't help wondering if the new warning will have as much strength as his inaugural promise to give no special favors to relatives and friends. Remember: Walang kama-kamag-anak, walang kai-kaibigan!

This being his "honeymoon" with the business community and his "grace period" with the Catholic bishops, however, we'll hold the criticisms.

* * *

The President said he and his administration are undergoing change. "There is something at the beginning of a millennium that prompts a process of renewal," he said.

In the changes he announced at the start of the year, he reached out to the camps of former President Corazon Aquino and the Catholic Church as well as the Makati Business Club, whose members generally supported the presidential bid of former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa. The changes earned President Erap that honeymoon and the grace period.

He has better focus now, he believes, after 18 months of on-the-job training. He promises more consistency in policies, virtually admitting that he suffered from a "yo-yo" style of decision-making.

Can President Erap ("Josep" to his San Juan constituency) be remade? The Erap walk is still there, but he has shed several pounds, with a little help from Xenical. He has once again vowed to give up smoking, drinking -- wine, song and... never mind.

He will have to change his working hours if he intends to meet regularly with his economic advisers.

And he will have to jettison those advisers that are not in Malacañang's official list -- the people who wield real power in this presidency. Remember: political debts will be written off.

* * *

How does a national leader develop focus and consistency? By concentrating on the satisfaction of basic needs. What do the people need?

Those who spread democracy around the globe point out that people must enjoy freedom of speech or expression and belief, and be free from fear and want. We have freedom of belief. Freedom of the press/speech/expression? After a year of squabbling with the press, the President appears to have resigned himself to media criticism.

Freedom from fear? The government says fielding Marines in public areas is meant to make people feel safer. Others see the increased uniformed presence as a cause for fear. The Marines will be there at least until the next survey.

Freedom from want? This is proving to be the toughest task. But in remaking this presidency, there's one thing to keep in mind: as long as the people enjoy the three other freedoms, the public can be patient about liberation from want.

* * *

ONLY IN RP: Friends often tell me that gluttony will kill me. They may turn out right. Yesterday I bit into a local "cheese roll" that did not taste like cheese at all but like sugar-laced insecticide. It was made by a Pasig-based company called Regent Foods Corp. If I start frothing at the mouth and turning blue my colleagues know which company should be haled to court. The toxic smell is still in the wrapper. Warn your children about this cheese roll. Send the product to your enemies this Valentine's Day. This is one argument for Charter change. If we can't make a decent cheese roll in the 21st century, we should throw in the towel and let the foreigners take over.