Yes We Can P-Noy!

Philippine President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” C Aquino III is about to be sworn in as the 15th president of the republic. Since his landslide victory, Filipinos hope that “P-Noy” (Pres. Noynoy Aquino) is capable in solving all the problems that beset the country or if not; at least the more imperative ones. Topping them is the endemic and massive graft and corruption, rampant violation of human rights, grinding poverty, criminality and the abuse or destruction of natural resources and environment.

Minus his pluses being born from a martyr-hero father, Ninoy and a former president mother, Cory, Noynoy is an ordinary mortal like us. He is not an incarnated god, a fairy or other make-believe characters that in a click of a finger, everything is possible. So, it is down to earth  not to have high expectations on him but rather  expectations that are doable.

There is no way that P-Noy can turn the present Philippines into a Shangri-la in six years.  To start his onerous burden, he has to turn on the engine of the government and traverse the filthy mine-laden road  his predecessor left.

Lao-tzu correctly observed that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Soon to be Pres. Noynoy Aquino metaphorically occupies a house with walls falling apart, holes on its roof. The carpet is cockroach, termite, flee and rat infested. Its air conditioning system chokes. Its water and gas lines are clogged. The foundation is ready to give way.

For sure, the house can be made over but it takes time to do the job;  probably, not even during his term.

Mrs. Arroyo, set to bear the curse of infamy, bequeathed Noynoy a country bleeding, gasping for life as brought about by the evil of political patronage, scandals, graft and corruption, violation of human rights and poverty. In fairness to Mrs. Arroyo, she was able to keep the economy afloat when world recession threatened the economy and has implemented infrastructure projects. Despite these, the citizens were not deterred in giving her a negative rating that goes for the books. Filipinos lost their trust and confidence in her at zero per cent but her worth as head of state became much worse when the people’s final approval  spiraled down to -33. Simply said, the Arroyo presidency is a failure!

Pretending to be civil, Mrs. Arroyo and her cohort  wish the incoming administration good luck and best wishes .  Such "courtesy" is more of a showmanship.  It is devoid of sincerity. Down to the twilight of her presidency, Arroyo did not have the decency in carrying midnight appointments. That may be legal but not without any personal nefarious motive. Could it be possible that at some point she feels guilty that there must be entities that can protect her from possible prosecution once she leaves office?

In 24 hours we will have a new president but it is unfortunate that  before sitting on his presidential  chair, he is already criticized.  A leftist group is set to welcome him with protest right from the vicinity of the Palace. How stupid is that?

We wait and see how Pres. Noynoy Aquino plays his role and do his function. He deserves to be given a fair chance before we  go to the streets and  cry foul to demand action.

Can Pres. Aquino do it?

Not alone as a one-man team.  Filipinos must support him and his administration so that he can transform the country into what we aspire her to be. He cannot do it alone. Yes, we can also do it in the Philippines only if there is sincerity among everybody in the government and in the private sector to join hands and move forward and not back. This we must do amidst the odds.

For too long  and too much we suffered from the hands of the greedy and nonchalant leaders who dehumanized us. We do not deserve this kind of life and government. We want the better. We are a rich nation of talents and natural resources but we are also a people of  apathy. We do not pay attention  and work  on what  our country deserves.  It took a Korean living in the country  in  pointing what is wrong with us:  "we don't love that much our country". Often times we are contented sitting at the corner expecting social graces and  blessings of political impetus instead of doing what we can no matter how mean or small to keep the country moving the right way.

Indeed, Pres. Aquino looks determined to make this country better.  We must not forget one basic fact that he is human, proned to err. Being the son of  Ninoy and Cory, it is unbelievable that he will soil their names and legacy.  Rather, he will work to etch his own image that he is the president Filipinos have waited for too long.   He has the potential to be a great president  on the condition  that he can fulfill his campaign promises  to at least  tolerable levels. True, things are easier said than done but the door of success is always  wide open.  If there is a will, there is a way.

The future has twists and turns but we hope for the best. In hoping for the best, stand up and be counted.  We work as a team and never as individuals for “united we stand; divided we fall”.  We do in unison the first step for the six-year journey.

Good luck to the Philippines, good luck to the Filipino people at home and in diaspora and good luck to Pres. Noynoy Aquino. -30-