P-Noy’s last 500 days

For those who are eager to see this administration go into the sunset – patience is a virtue: it has less than 500 days. The Mamasapano tragedy has spawned very strong emotions from Filipinos, with some even saying the MILF is leading the president by the nose. Despite two nationally televised addresses plus the Senate hearings on the PNP Special Action Force operation that killed 44 government troopers, people are still unconvinced and have more questions about the tragedy.

Calling for the resignation or impeachment of President Aquino is totally absurd because it would only disrupt the constitutional system similar to what happened during Joseph Estrada’s presidency, when then-vice president Gloria Arroyo took over — a situation that led to Arroyo running as an incumbent president giving her nine full years in power.

For many, it’s disconcerting to note the crises and tragedies that have beset this government, starting with the botched Aug. 23, 2010 Luneta bus hostage crisis that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong tourists. People find it unsettling to note similarities between Mamasapano and the Luneta hostage crisis not only in terms of the ineptitude and “mis-coordination” of those tasked to handle the situation, but the fact that the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo was “kept out” because P-Noy had given his “kaibigan,” then-Undersecretary Rico Puno, power over PNP-related matters – much like the way Mar Roxas was kept out of the loop, giving another “kaibigan” Alan Purisima rein over the Mamasapano mission. The bungled hostage crisis caused relations between the Philippines and China to degenerate. No one was punished because none at the top was held accountable. The Chinese demanded an apology from the president but he flatly refused.

Then there was that unfortunate February 2013 Lahad Datu “invasion” by the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram who felt slighted at being excluded by government in the signing of the framework agreement with the MILF in October 2012. For six weeks, the followers of the Sultan  — a claimant to Sabah — fought with Malaysian security forces, resulting in the death of over 60 Muslim Filipinos. Many were outraged at the “unsympathetic” stance of the president over the plight of the Sulu sultan and his followers, opening debates once again on the almost forgotten issue of Sabah.

This was followed by the siege of Zamboanga City by the MNLF-Misuari faction that was also unhappy at being left out of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF. For three weeks, government troops fought with the rebels, displacing hundreds of thousands and reducing several thriving communities into rubble. The slow reaction of the administration in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda’s fury in November 2013 and its preoccupation with “name politics” also left a bitter taste in the mouths of the typhoon victims particularly those from the hardest hit area of Tacloban. 

In retrospect, this administration doesn’t get high marks as far as crisis management is concerned. But to be fair, the government’s efforts to combat corruption is bearing fruit, and the reforms have contributed in the country’s remarkable economic performance as seen in the credit ratings upgrades and the renewed interest in the country as an investment destination. Tourism has also been on the upswing.

However, little has been done on many things that matter to many Filipinos — the traffic, the congestion at the ports, the decrepit state of the MRT, the catatonic state of most PPP projects and the flip-flopping of government agencies when it comes to honoring business contracts – all of which are causing frustration to become prevalent.

 People expected improvements in the service of the MRT after the fare hikes were implemented, but things have gotten worse due to the frequent breakdowns — despite the fact that we pay almost P50 million a month for maintenance. Imagine, the rail tracks continue to be in a dangerous state of disrepair because there are only three welding kits for repairing breakages?

 The MRT is an accident waiting to happen, and commuters are disgusted with the excuses. The Metro Pacific group of Manny Pangilinan had been offering to take over the operations and was willing to spend P23 billion for expansion and rehabilitation. Had that offer been taken, the rail condition wouldn’t have degenerated. Hopefully, DOTC won’t spend the last 500 days “studying” the recent revised proposal submitted by the MVP group.

The congestion at the ports is also another source of frustration for businessmen because their costs have almost doubled especially with goods and short shelf-life items that are spoiling in containers due to clearing delays. Another example of idiocy displayed by government agencies is the refusal of the MWSS to abide by the decision upholding Maynilad’s rate adjustment because of the lame excuse that it is “waiting” for a similar ruling for another concessionaire undergoing separate arbitration — a wrong signal that could turn off potential investors.

People don’t expect all problems to instantly disappear in six years, but in the 1,698 days that the Aquino administration has been in power, it cannot continue performing as if it were still “on the job training.” Neither can it continue blaming the previous government(s) for the ills that beset the country today — a refrain that Filipinos are getting sick and tired of hearing every time a crisis occurs.

The President must show he is the leader not only of those who wear “yellow ribbons” on their chest, but to all Filipinos whom he calls his “bosses.” In the last 500 days of his administration, he still has time to leave office with high marks instead of holding his tail between his legs.

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