Presidential candor

Having been literally swept into power after his mother’s death, nobody really knew P-Noy’s real character. After a year in power, it’s quite clear that one of his traits is his candor. P-Noy’s predisposition to be open and straightforward is something that can work both positively and negatively depending on the sensitivity of the issue. His candid comments regarding the Spratlys was direct to the point and clearly understood by many Filipinos who felt just as strongly that we should not be reduced to silence just because we do not have the resources to stand up to a giant nation like China.

While it may be true that the AFP is ill-equipped and is no match to China’s military power, P-Noy nevertheless made it perfectly clear to Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie that we will not be bullied, and that we will do what we can to increase our military capabilities. While some did not agree with P-Noy’s remark because it was tantamount to challenging China to an arms race, his blunt talk came out as a candid assessment of the problem and served notice to all that what is ours is ours — and that we are not about to watch helplessly while a country arrogates what we consider to be rightfully ours. The commander-in-chief’s candor signaled AFP Chief Gen. Eduardo Oban to issue similar fighting words, declaring that “If they (Chinese) attack us, we will fight back.”

In plain and simple terms, the P-Noy administration had served notice that if need be, Filipinos must be ready to protect their territory with their lives. History is replete with tales of Filipinos dying to protect this country’s honor and dignity, from the time of the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896 to the Philippine-American War down to the Japanese occupation during World War II. Let us never forget that 500,000 Filipinos died during the Fil-Am war and over one million died during World War II defending our country.

At the end of the day however, no one will argue that this issue must be resolved in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Our friend from Cebu, Douglas Lu Ym (who played golf with Chinese military officials Gen. Chen Bingde of the People’s Liberation Army and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie when they visited Cebu) told us the Chinese are eager to see the issue resolved peacefully and diplomatically without resorting to force. China merely does not want American involvement in the Spratlys.

There have been many instances when the President’s spontaneity and candor has caused some discomfiture, like his recent admission about three Cabinet secretaries whom he tries to avoid seeing because they more often than not bring him bad news. P-Noy in fact virtually described these unnamed officials as his burden and part of his “penitensiya” and tribulation. Not surprisingly, this honest remark has opened a “Pandora’s Box” of speculations with everyone now becoming curious about the identity of these bearers of “bad news.” More importantly, many are wondering what this bad news is all about and how serious the problems are that need urgent solutions. They also wonder if P-Noy is ready to replace these three Cabinet secretaries.

Last Thursday after our event, we had a nice, long candid conversation (some are confidential) with President Aquino’s friend and closest confidant, Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa who was one of the “Men Who Matter” awardees during the iPad app launch of People Asia magazine. Jojo said he occasionally finds himself having to clarify the remarks of the President and putting them in the proper context. Jojo Ochoa’s relationship with the President goes back a long way. Both their fathers and namesakes, Benigno Aquino Jr. and Paquito Ochoa Sr., were stalwarts of the Liberal Party.

Jojo has been Noynoy’s legal adviser from the time the latter was a neophyte congressman in 1998. He is one of the very low-key officials in the Aquino Cabinet who prefers working behind the scenes and totally shuns the limelight (which is why we truly appreciate his acceptance of our very prestigious People Asia “Men Who Matter” award). Jojo told me he has no other agenda than to protect and help his best friend, P-Noy. He repeatedly said that when the time comes that the President no longer needs him, he is more than ready to step down.

The way I see it, Jojo Ochoa is one person the President can’t afford to lose. Any sensible leader needs a close adviser and confidant who can tell him “like it is.” It’s just as well Mar Roxas (who also has the ear of the President) accepted the Transportation and Communications portfolio. It resolved a potentially explosive situation for P-Noy if he had been appointed chief of staff. There is no doubt Mar will be more effective as DOTC Secretary since he enjoys the President’s full trust and confidence. In the end, it will even help Mar with his future plans either in 2013 or 2016.

Being candid and saying only what is true can work well for a President. Harry S. Truman was one of the most outspoken and candid presidents the United States ever had. It often got him into trouble but in the end, he turned out to be one of their best presidents. “Give ’em hell, Harry” was a favorite of Americans addressing politicians, and hell he gave them. As the late US President once said, “I never give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”

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