From the time he announced his intent to run for the presidency, even when he has yet to announce his government programs, I leaned on and supported Noynoy Aquino on the premise that he could be a good president. Without taking seriously the ungracious comments of some journalists and guys from the other side of the fence, I believed and I still do that as president, he does not mire his good last name bequeathed by his parents who left heroic and indelible marks in our history.
As the campaign went into full gear, Noynoy, to say in general terms, unleashed his reformist vision of government and added that the people’s involvement in his crusade to establish a credible and responsible government is a must for he cannot do it alone.
I believe that Mr. Aquino was doing well until the fateful day when a disgruntled cop hostaged Hong Kong nationals that ended in a bloodbath. Not long after, valid negative criticisms on the debacle flooded the media on the way the government handled it. Lapses; imagined or not, exposed a number of ineptness on the part of the government and some presidential advisers that resulted in demanding the president, members of the Malacanang information office, Local Government secretary Robredo and some members of the security force to resign.
Hot in the news these days is Archbishop emeritus’ bombshell accusing some government officials close to the president as receiving "jueteng" (an illegal game of chance) payola. Brewing right now is the on-going hearing of the Maguindanao massacre where the accused is perceived as a GMA (Pres. Arroyo) ally and the mercy Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez received when the Supreme Court halted her impeachment proceeding. Gutierrez, an Arroyo appointee is believed to be covering up the worms of the past administration. While the Supreme Court, also perceived as an Arroyo ally, gave its green light for the Truth Commission to proceed in unearthing the scandals and corruption issues of the past administration, the High Court's credibility suffers by stopping the impeachment charge which according to the House, sufficient in form and substance.
I believe that the Aquino government is not doing well at this point. The president may indeed have the best plan and intent for the country but just like in any administration, the problem is “implementation and political will”. Mr. Aquino said in response to Archbishop Cruz’s allegation that the prelate have to name names or have to present an evidence no matter how little before the Chief Executive acts.
The president must do something to see if there is truth in such allegation instead of the lame response “Show me first the evidence.” Rather than a wait-and-see-attitude, the president should rather keep the ball rolling to see if Cruz's allegation merits an investigation. Cruz, for the sake of truth must name names. If not, the president should scrutinize the purpose of Cruz in going to the press. If found that the prelate's intention is just to be in the headlines, the president should once for all trash the issue.
Despite the sloppiness somewhere I still believe that Pres. Aquino and the government have more than enough time to reinvent and recover from the mistakes. The administration is young but is also perceived to be lacking the needed impetus to institute reforms Filipinos long waited for.
The people need the government to act and act decisively before everyone loses faith in this government believed to be the Moses who brings this nation and its people to the Promise Land of government renaissance. -30-
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