The Macapagal-Arroyo presidency - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

The oathtaking of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the EDSA Shrine was the simplest inaugural ritual ever in the history of the Philippine Republic. Almost everybody went to the affair in T-shirts, polo shirts, faded jeans, the simplest attire. And there were no fireworks and post-inaugural, coat-and-tie only socials, that followed President GMA’s oathtaking. Hopefully, this will be one of the main highlights of GMA’s presidency: Simple living, the same trait and value which her father, Diosdado "Cong Dadong" Macapagal, preached and practiced during his presidency.

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How nice it would be to see simplicity in Malacañang and in all government functions. Out with those luxury vehicles and wang-wangs that almost every government official has. Get rid of those coats and ties and "formal attire only" government affairs which show the great disparity between the rich and the poor. Get rid of those lavish rituals associated with money and high living, and use the money instead for more meaningful, socially-oriented projects.

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When asked whether she will have a more formal oathtaking ceremony at some other time, President GMA answered, "Bakit pa? What for?" Her answer was most welcome and inspiring. Apparently, President GMA will be like her own father, simple and dignified, oozing with integrity and honesty. May all other government officials emulate her example.

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Let me tell you what I expect from President GMA, based on what I personally saw, during the past two years, when I had the distinct opportunity to work with her in uplifting the lives and welfare of people with disabilities (PWDs). She was then the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, presiding over the meetings of the National Council for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons, and I was attending those meetings because of my deep involvement in self-reliance projects for PWDs.

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First, President GMA is going to make full use of every hour and minute for her presidency. She is a clock-watcher, always on time for her appointments. She is also a time-manager, knowing the order of priorities that should be attended to. And she will see to it that her meetings deal only with substantive, meaningful items, never on the trite and the inconsequential. Time, under the Macapagal presidency, will not be wasted.

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Second, President GMA will be frank and forthright in her dealings with subordinates and with everybody else. When she sees that there is something wrong somewhere, or that someone is trying to make bola or palusot, President GMA will publicly express what she thinks or feels, no matter who gets hurt. And she will not hesitate to chide or rebuke anyone who is apparently trying to mislead or deceive.

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Third, President GMA is not going to be satisfied with mediocrity. She will demand excellence from her people, and push them to produce high-quality work. Such an attitude will, hopefully, intimidate or prod government workers to be efficient and devoted in serving the general public.

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Fourth, President GMA is going to make good things happen. She is going to push, or to inspire, everyone to help make things happen, especially in the area of public service. Seeing a definite target, she will see to it that this goal will be attained – at the soonest possible time.

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Days before EDSA 2 erupted, my friend of many years Ignacio D. Debuque Jr., an idea man par excellence, one of the few Filipinos who had the luck to serve under three Presidents (Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal), gave me his own preview on how GMA will handle the presidency. His assessment is based on what he observed, regarding the leadership and governing styles of the three presidents, their strengths, virtues and weaknesses. "All of them were men of strength, whether in their outward or inner selves. And whatever others may say of them today, all three were patriots and men of integrity and honor," Debuque said.

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On President Diosdado Macapagal, Debuque recalled that Cong Dadong preached the virtue of honesty, unceasingly and without let-up, living up to this standard without exception. He also noted how President Macapagal turned down demands for business favors by powerful politicians because they were improper and violated his high standards of governance. "To a great extent, Cong Dadong lost to Marcos because he offended greedy and grasping politicians, whose support spelled the difference between victory and defeat," Debuque said.

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"Today, by GMA’s own words, Cong Dadong continues to be the biggest influence in her life, her character as a person and, as such, her destiny as President. And while GMA does not emphasize it, I am sure that the memory of her mother, the quietly formidable Dra. Eva, played and will play as focal a role as Cong Dadong in GMA’s life and political career," Debuque analyzed.

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Nacy predicted that President GMA will govern as Cong Dadong did, virtuously and honestly. "As a trained economist, she will manage the economy competently and effectively. And because she is also her mother’s daughter, she will be quietly strong and hard-nosed and will not suffer crooks and fools gladly," Debuque said. "With her genes and high standards, GMA will not be an easy person to work with. But for those who count serving well and honestly as the true reward of a public servant, working with her will be an ennobling but difficult experience."

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There are certain things that many Filipinos would like to see, from President GMA’s administration. Let me list down some of them:

• Appointment of well-meaning, qualified persons to the Commission on Elections

• Truly genuine and honest elections

• Dismantling of the police intelligence apparatus that was used for wrongdoing and for evil purposes

• Honest-to-goodness eradication of government red tape

• Jailing of bigtime grafters

• A no-holds-barred drive against kidnapping and crime syndicates

• Simple living in the corridors of power

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My e-mail address: <[email protected]>