Masikip na ang Daang Matuwid

I never believed in the plausibility of the “Daang Matuwid” philosophy of President Noynoy Aquino. Not that this country is hopeless and cannot ever whip itself around to tread on the straight and narrow path, which is what Aquino intended his “Daang Matuwid” philosophy to be understood by everyone.

But it takes more than a Noynoy Aquino to do that. It takes an entire nation to reform itself. Besides, it is pathetically foolhardy to ever believe sweeping reforms can happen after a single change in leadership.

 To me, the “Daang Matuwid” philosophy of Noynoy is not even a philosophy. How can Noynoy have such a philosophy when he himself was never in the running for the presidency and was never in a position to effect even the slightest change.

Noynoy was simply catapulted to the forefront when his mother Cory died. When Cory died and millions turned up to mourn, it became a no-brainer for political opportunists to determine that the yellow magic still existed and can be exploited to attain tremendous political gain.

The death of Cory gave birth to Noynoy as a political somebody. Believe me, had not Cory died, Kris Aquino could beat Noynoy anytime anywhere. But Kris is not presidential material. It was Noynoy who can be transformed with the right packaging, at the right time.

And that is the only reason why Noynoy became president. It was never because of some philosophy or, more improbably, leadership capability. The “Daang Matuwid” slogan is just what it is, a slogan — convenient and catchy, but never substantive, and all the more not practical.

Just look at what is going on around us. True, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is in jail, and Renato Corona has been removed from office. But at what cost to our judicial institutions? The only reason why it is convenient to look the other way is because we believe they are guilty.

But I dread the day when the legal shortcuts and judicial railroading this nation allowed and turned a blind eye to for convenience will come back to haunt us. What happens if the rape of justice is foisted on those not as unpopular and as perceptively guilty as Arroyo and Corona?

Beyond Arroyo and Corona, there is nothing else of significance to show for the two years that Noynoy has been in office that would at least give some semblance that the “Daang Matuwid” philosophy is working, or at least has taken the minutest root in our national life.

On the contrary, the exact opposite is what is taking place, which is precisely the reason for the choice of the title for this article. Yes, “Masikip na ang Daang matuwid” but not with converts raising toward the salvation promised by an enlightened incorruptible leadership.

Instead, the “Daang Matuwid” has grown congested with new political converts attracted not by philosophy or conscience but by the political convenience and promise of political gain in being with the party in power.

I cannot see the slightest saving grace for “Daang Matuwid” in the wanton alliances and political wheeling and dealing being struck left and right by the Noynoy administration for and on behalf of his political party.

If there is trade liberalization in the world, there is also political liberalization in the Philippines, with Noynoy’s Liberal Party gobbling up any other party willing to be gobbled up. Of course, everyone is calling it alliances. But who is kidding who? This is the Philippines.

 Do you really expect anyone to believe that, by the mere expedience of signing up on the dotted line for a political alliance, a politician is suddenly cleansed of every stain or blemish that has made “Daang Matuwid” so appealing and attractive?

And what about Liberal Party originals who are now using every political trick in the book just to promote their candidacies in the coming elections. Isn’t that among the discredited practices a correct understanding of “Daang Matuwid” would have sought to eliminate.

The truth is, nothing has really changed for the better. In fact, things have grown worse because now there is the “Daang Matuwid” to provide the perfect alibi to commit the bad practices of old. Corruption comes in many forms. Tradpol methods corrupt just as money does.