Stubborn president on the job

If there is one word I can’t help but feel describes the actions of our president as of late, it is stubborn. This is not always a bad thing, mind you, as if you stubbornly stick to your beliefs then it can be a great asset. However, this stubborn is not necessarily good, but is linked to a lack of action on recent problems that are just not getting addressed. Like many others, in the beginning of his term, and even when Mr. Benigno Aquino III was running for the highest office in the land, we all had high hopes for the idealistic young politician. Hopes that he would follow in the footsteps of his illustrious parents as well as carve out his own path of greatness.

However, now in the second half of his administration, I can’t help but start to lose hope that his term will result in anything different than the terms of presidents past. I am beginning to lose faith in his ability to fully and fairly run the government, as I know many citizens are beginning to feel as well. It’s not that our feelings have changed. In fact, quite the opposite, more than ever we are hoping he can make a poignant and lasting change in the country. It just seems like every day more and more problems are cropping up and nothing is being done to tangibly solve them.

And I am not coming from a standpoint of being too idealistic. I recognize that he cannot possibly solve all the problems sowed by administrations past in his few years in office. However, when he came into the presidency, so electric were the promises of reform and change that one could not help but hope that these would materialize into solid, tangible, and lasting changes in the government that would steer us towards progress and prosperity. In reality though, the changes that have been made are minimal at best and are no match to the new problems that have arisen.

It is perhaps unfortunate that President Aquino was the president in office when the pork barrel scam came to light. We can’t blame him for something that has been happening for so many years that it’s impossible to track when it truly began. However, I only think it’s fair that he be held accountable for what happens from now on.

Though reforms are supposedly being made to rectify this situation the important thing still remains to be seen — when will those who are guilty be made to fully answer for their crimes? Will he get the money back from them? And will he truly install a system of checks and balances that prevents this from happening again? Transparency is key here. The people deserve to know where their taxes are going. This is especially true since the mandate of the BIR is to make up for a tax deficit. No longer are the citizens content to fill the government coffers without knowing for sure where their hard-earned contributions are going.

Will this entire problem end up like the problems of the past? Long-drawn out dramas with no solution? I certainly hope not. And I truly hope the government follows its tuwid na daan slogan and makes those corrupt officials pay for their crimes against the country. With poverty still incredible prevalent it only seems fair that those who stole from the people are held responsible for their actions.

I do not envy the President. It is a hard road in front of him and there are many mistakes made by past administrations that he has the unfortunate task of cleaning up. But, at the same time, he can look at this as an opportunity to truly make a difference in the government and in the country. His legacy can be the most important one of all if he rises to the challenge. If he can find a way to truly bring his plans to light then he has the chance of being one of the best presidents we have ever seen.

No longer can he just sit back and make small changes and rely on his high SWS statistics when all the positive feedback in the world does not change the tangible facts that poverty is still a major problem in the country, and there is still so much that needs to be done. The constant reminder of his approval ratings this way just makes it looks like propaganda when disgruntled citizens are still taking to the streets in peaceful protests and more than half of the population still goes to bed hungry with no food on the table.

I hope President Noynoy rises to the challenge. Though it can seem overwhelming, he just has to tackle one problem at a time and truly create a solution, not just a bandaid for temporary relief. He needs to look at the people around him and truly know they are on his side for lasting change. I can’t help but feel that these days Malacañang has far too many “spin masters” claiming things are good when they are not. Again, stop looking at the numbers and look at the people and truly see the problems in the country that need to be solved.

I am eagerly and, hopefully, awaiting what he can do with the remainder of his time in office.

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I couldn’t help but notice the advertising campaign launched by the Makati City government in recent weeks and months. I think it’s a laudable project that Makati City can definitely afford and will greatly benefit many of its older citizens. Mayor Erwin S. Binay Jr. certainly knows how to find ways to ensure his constituents are getting benefits in his city. The senior citizen programs in particular are a nice way to give back to the elderly citizens who have toiled away their younger years and are just looking to relax and enjoy the latter portion of their lives. Hopefully more beneficial programs follow this with perhaps better healthcare benefits as well.

Just a curiosity though, I can’t help but wonder why Makati does not adhere to the MMDA-wide coding system and chose instead to follow their own program. For the cars being driven by senior citizens at least. Makati (as well as Parañaque and Las Piñas) do not follow the coding scheme and that makes it more difficult for senior citizens to drive around and reach their destination. It certainly does seem like a waste of time to have to re-route just to avoid getting caught and go through heavy traffic to get to your destination when other places are already offering a “window” time when you can leave. Just something to consider if cities, like Makati, are truly looking for ways to make things both convenient and efficient for their senior citizens.