2013 political winners

Looking back at 2013, the headlines focused on elections, corruption charges and natural disasters. But closer analysis of the Philippine situation shows that the country continues to move forward in increasing economic growth and in its fight against corruption. 

In the January-February issue of Foreign Affairs, the internationally influential publication of the USA Council of Foreign Relations, five countries were featured “whose combination of size, recent performance and economic potential will make them particularly interesting to watch and attractive to investors over the next half decade – Mexico, South Korea, Poland, Turkey and the Philippines.”

However, in the Philippines, every national issue seems to eventually end up as a political hot button issue. But there were clear political winners in 2013. And the clear winner is President Noynoy Aquino.

In the Foreign Affairs article, two countries, Indonesia and the Philippines, were compared: “Manila’s to-do list then, is nearly as long as Jakarta’s. But, whereas Indonesia has not passed any meaningful reforms in nearly a decade, the Philippines under Benigno Aquino III’s bold leadership, has taken real steps to address some of its challenges...the nearby Philippines, now an outsourcing powerhouse has been racing ahead under the clean and committed stewardship of President Benigno Aquino III.”

P-Noy’s major leadership accomplishments for the year are narrated. They include improving government efficiency and tax administration; passage of a landmark reproductive health bill; liberalizing the aviation industry and giving tourism a major boost; challenging vested business interests by passing a sin tax on tobacco and alcohol; implementation of a conditional cash transfer program to provide a social safety net for the poor and expanded access to education and health care; and reaching a framework peace agreement with the largest insurgency group.

I would add to this list his unwavering and open support for the filing of plunder and graft charges against major political leaders, revamping of the Bureau of Customs, and his firm but diplomatic handling of the ongoing crisis in the Philippine-China relations.

For these and other reasons, P-Noy enjoys unprecedented popular support for a president halfway through his six-year term. This is evidenced by his coalition’s overwhelming victory in the Senatorial and Congressional elections in May 2013. Despite critical and orchestrated attacks from media, former GMA officials and even members of the so-called “loyal” opposition, P-Noy has also retained very high public approval.

But there were other political winners in 2013. There were two female Senators who were surprising winners. The first was Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares, a political neophyte running in her first political race. Placing first, she beat political heavyweights including, Escudero, Legarda and Cayetano. But it is much too early to determine whether she is presidential material.

The other female senator is an “old” hand in Philippine politics – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Her daring and outspoken attacks on Enrile have made her a campus and mall celebrity.

Her rebuttal speech on the Senate floor can only be called ‘Classic Miriam.’ Some have said it was a speech better read than heard. I disagree. It had to be viewed live with Miriam standing her ground and refusing to be intimidated or flustered by a smirking Enrile seated in the front row pretending to be unaffected.

But the accusations ranging from being the mastermind of the Napoles pork barrel scam to being the biggest smuggler, and even intimidating opponents by publicly displaying firearms, have done tremendous damage. There was a time when Enrile was considered the political miracle-wonder of the Philippines. After all, this prime architect of martial law turned himself into a hero of the People Power revolution which brought about the Marcos dictatorship downfall.

After being accused or suspected of being part of the Honasan-led coup attempts against Corazon Aquino, Enrile ended up being Senate President. His memoir edited by Nelson Navarro was a clever attempt to rewrite Philippine history.

But Miriam, whatever her motives, has achieved a politically Herculean task. She exposed what she claims was the real Enrile and in the process may have finally rang the political death knell for this martial law relic.

There were also several Aquino cabinet members who were political winners in 2013. Bro. Armin Luistro started his tenure as Education Secretary with a controversial media image. His proposal of transforming public education into world class education by introducing K-12 and ending the classroom and teacher shortage was initially met with scepticism and the usual criticism that ‘world class’ was beyond the capability of Filipinos.

But Luistro’s persistence, patient explanation and personal example of integrity and humility have paid off with public support now clearly evident. It is also said that he is one of the most well travelled Cabinet member, having visited remote areas where no other Secretary has visited.

If there is one positive image amidst all the disasters, it is DSWD Secretary’s ever calming and dogged presence to bring relief and succour to all types of victims. When Dinky Soliman appears on television without the coloured streak in her hair and looking fatigued, then one knows that the situation must really be bad. But after a few days, when she is back with her usual colour and smiling demeanour, then one knows that everything is once again under control.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has proven that justice can be a lady both blindfolded and courageous. Her handling of the PDAF scandals has raised her public approval and reminds me of another Justice Secretary, former Senator Jose W. Diokno, whose courageous prosecution of the Stonehill scandals eventually made him a senator and human rights icon.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and his economic team have produced sound economic macroeconomic management. The resulting investment grade status and dramatic improvement in global surveys – WEF Global Competitiveness Index, Transparency International Corruption Index, World Bank Ease of Doing Business – has produced an economic environment that has allowed P-Noy to aggressively pursue his reform agenda.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil de los Reyes has managed to contain and even minimize considerably the political effects of Hacienda Luisita as a political albatross for P-Noy. Reyes’ success is evident by the lack of fanfare when the land distribution of Luisita was finally implemented.

Speaker Sonny Belmonte through a combination of political savoir faire and leadership has finally made the House of Representatives a vital part in the economic and political progress of the nation. Budgets are now passed on time, and political wrangling and conflicting agendas have not derailed vital legislation as in the past.

Because of the successes of these political winners, clearly the biggest winner of all is the future of the Filipino people.

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