Many miles to go

We are now going through another cycle of surveys and economic forecasts. As the nation approaches the 2016 elections, the public attention on all these statistical figures will also increase. There will be different interpretations but most will look at these surveys like a horse race betting form: Who is favored to win and what are the odds for and against specific candidates.

Aside from the political horse race, the latest surveys have other interesting results. P-Noy’s satisfaction rating has risen to +34% or a dramatic rise of 9 points. Those who predicted that the DAP controversy would be a temporary glitch in P-Noy’s satisfaction ratings have been proven correct.

There is also solid economic news about the economy. So far, the Philippines is the second fastest growing economy in Asia, next to China. However, there is good news for the manufacturing sector, with investments coming from Japanese and local investors. Manufacturing jobs mean more employment for those coming from the lower income classes and educational attainment lower than college or even high school.  Hopefully, this will be the real start of inclusive growth.

While the rating of corruption as the priority issue has gone down, there are still public concerns about the issue of good governance. In fact, there is a debate about the results of a recent survey that supposedly says that at least 36% of Filipinos believed that P-Noy had failed to deliver on his promise of daang matuwid.

Surveys on attitudes or personal judgments would be hard put to arrive at any logical conclusions based on one question. That question can be viewed from different perspectives and subject to different interpretations. If the interpretation is whether Filipinos believe that P-Noy has eliminated corruption or even won the war against corruption, the 64% who either agreed or remained neutral would be a very high figure.

If the question had been phrased to ask whether progress had been made in combating corruption, I am sure only a small minority would disagree. It is also important to acknowledge that there has been significant progress in minimizing corruption in many departments, such as the Department of Education under Br Armin Luistro; Social Welfare and Development under Dinky Soliman; Defense under Voltaire Gazmin.

Two of the traditionally most corrupt government agencies have also witnessed significant and laudable successes in reducing levels of corruption. I am referring to the Department of Public Works under Rogelio Singson and Finance under Cesar Purisima.

Obviously, there have also been significant failures. One is the Department of Agriculture under Alcala who really should stop hiding behind the veil of friendship and have the courage and integrity to resign. Now we have PNP Chief Alan Purisima who seems to be unable to distinguish between a house and a mansion, and between a discount and attempted bribery. These two — Proceso Alcala and Alan Purisima — will continue to be the albatross in this administration. For those who need a translation, an albatross refers to anyone who continues to be “an obvious handicap and constant burden.”

Among the most recent statements that have come out on the topic of good governance, one of the most sober, objective and well written is the statement of the organization called Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) headed by Fulgencio Factoran, Jesus Estanislao and Isagani Cruz. Here is their statement:

Integrity and efficiency for good government

“The FSGO notes with deep satisfaction the current focus and attention, in both traditional and social media, on issues of governance. We have always maintained that integrity and efficiency are the twin pillars of good governance which, in turn, could be the key to a more meaningful and inclusive development of our country. 

No country could, of course, take pride in having three currently sitting senators suspended and undergoing criminal prosecution, a former President in detention, and being prosecuted for the same crime, a former Chief Justice convicted in impeachment proceedings, and a former Ombudsman forced to resign. Nor could we claim any prizes for having former Cabinet members, a Chief of the National Police and a sitting Vice President being publicly investigated by the Senate for this seemingly ‘common’ crime of plunder.

But our people have long complained of corruption in our government, and current developments show a renewed vigor in pursuing these generalized allegations.  We can take pride that we have now gone beyond criticizing and taken the next steps in improving governance.

There are many who could claim credit for the progress we see.  The organized citizenry has been unrelenting in their advocacy for transparency in government.  The Senate has been a hospitable forum for high profile investigations.  The whistleblowers have gained courage to expose the big crimes they participated in, even if they risk prosecution in the process. Many in media, led by independent social media practitioners, and now supported by traditional media, have used their skills and facilities in properly sharing the information to the general public.  And the present administration has effectively created an atmosphere conducive to a more open inquiry in matters of integrity in governance.

It is fortunate that these developments have come way ahead of the next political exercise to choose our leaders.  We hope that all of these would help our voters understand the need for greater discernment when it is time to exercise our sacred responsibility to cast our votes. We could only hope that although our system of governance is still a work in progress, we will soon graduate to a better system.”   

I do not think anyone ever believed that corruption would be eliminated even within our lifetime. In 2010 we asked P-Noy to start the change. We have come a long way since then. But in the words of American poet Robert Frost, we still have “many miles to go before we sleep.”

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Young Writers’ Hangout in Makati & Alabang on Oct. 18, 2014, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Where The Write Things Are continues its Saturday Young Writers’ Hangout writing workshops on October 18, in Makati and Alabang. This Saturday’s session at the Canadian American School in Alphaland, Makati will be conducted by Samantha Sotto, author of New York Times bestselling novel Before Ever After. While author, writer and educator Neni Sta. Romana Cruz will run the class in Fully Booked Alabang Town Center. Both sessions, from 1-2:30 p.m., are open to kids and teens. For registration and more details, contact 0917-6240196 or [email protected]

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Email: [email protected]