Going by the present score card, President Noynoy Aquino appears to be doing well. Whether or not the early positive image could be sustained is something else which, to quote a prominent bard, "only the events would teach us in their hour".
In picking out his inner circle and the higher government echelon, including sensitive positions, so far President Noynoy appears with a good eye and dexterous hand. And, in resolving matters needing quick decisions, again, his mind and his heart seem set at the right places, and not at cross-purposes!
Note these obviously good choices: Laconic Atty. Edwin Lacierda as the presidential spokesman; former Governor Daniel Lacson as chairman of GSIS to mollify the clamor of change for GSIS deficiencies; the gritty Atty. Leila de Lima as Justice Secretary at the heels of negative impasse of the Maguindanao massacre; Atty. Marivic Leonen of the academe (UP) with legal know-how as chief peace negotiator with MILF - the first peace pact got burned by the Supreme Court - and, the second talks at standstill; Budget Secretary Florencio Abad; FEU law dean Juan Andres Bautista as possible USec of DOJ; Akbayan's Loreta "Etta" Rosales, for Human Rights Commission; or Sec. of DOE Jose Rene D. Almendras of Cebu; and DILG expert Secretary Jesse Robredo of Naga City; among others.
One quality that is apparently highlighted is personal integrity and expertise, rather than as political "payback", or for sheer political loyalty.
With regard to initial prompt actions: While seemingly trivial, its impact is eye-catching and no-nonsense resolution, has been his "wang-wang" taboo. Others are his vow on the anti-corruption war with a July 1 case versus GMA; the pork barrel subtle warning of rationalizing its abuse by monitoring the lawmakers' so-called PDAF projects in billions from start to finish; the prompt presidential action to modernize PAGASA's equipment and capabilities inre typhoons and weather forecasting nationwide; and, the apparently unsatisfactory performance of the Ombudsman under the watch of Merceditas Gutierrez, among others.
In fact, the early survey on President Noynoy's trustworthiness at 88% is unprecedented. While the traditional 100-day "honeymoon" period isn't long over yet, during which media and other critics usually observe for a neophyte Palace incumbent, the latter seems not keen on being treated as invulnerable to criticisms, or to beg for such tolerance.
Indeed, bachelor President Noynoy may not admittedly rank among other previous Presidents as doyens in perspicacity or sharpness of intellect, say, Manuel L. Quezon, or Sergio Osmeña, or Manuel A. Roxas, or Ferdinand E. Marcos; or that of his martyred father Ninoy's foresight and brilliance.
But, definitely, he's also not a no-brainer, or just the average in mental acumen. It's just that President Noynoy's personality and leadership - in his stint as a Congressman and a Senator - could just be like that of a movie actor portraying in subdued, under-toned, and not over-played role. Perhaps, a likely comparison could be with the sincere, humble, but no less effective and presidential, as that of the Philippines' most loved and honored President Ramon Magsaysay, "the Guy".
Of course it's too early to predict. With his determined advocacy against shenanigans in government, the signs are getting to be more tractable and palpable. With the present trend that his appointees at the BIR and the Bureau of Customs are doing against smuggling of luxury cars, and the case of pawnshop alleged tax evaders, the ultimate dye posits as now cast.
One still dreams that the bachelor executive has that inner courage and guts, and the kind of political will to do "battle" against the "pork barrel" wastage that his predecessors had wilted even before attempting. Even toning down such ginormous waste of people's money to, say, one-third of about P23 B annually could be an epic achievement.
* * *
Email: lparadiangjr@yahoo.com.