IS DUTERTE CAPABLE OF UNTANGLING THE TRAFFIC LOGJAM?

The traffic logjam in Metro Manila is one glaring example of bureaucratic incompetence, coupled with helplessness before the oligarchs.

President Rodrigo Duterte has demonstrated that when he wants to get something done, he can crack the whip on the bureaucrats, keep antagonistic media under the gun (figuratively and literally) and completely ignore the protests of activists and the political opposition.

The only sectors that Duterte appears unable — or unwilling — to read the riot act to are the business oligarchs and the political overlords.

Is Duterte, with the awesome powers of the presidency, capable of facing down these powerful sectors? According to pundits, he could if he wants to, notwithstanding the risks.

Where he has a mind to, Duterte has had his way, as shown by the thousands of who have been killed in his war on drugs ( many on mere suspicion), the imprisonment of Senator Leila de Lima on obviously trumped up charges, and the brazen reinstatement of the PNP officers behind the liquidation of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap inside their jail cell.

To go back to the question: Is Duterte capable of addressing problems of governance confronting his administration?

“Capable” in the context of the power to do so, yes. He has the powers and the support of a compliant Congress. “Capable” in the sense of the managerial competence to see his way through a complicated problem — that is questionable. And “capable” in the context of bucking the oligarchs and political overlords, doubtful.

His record of performance on his first year in office is im-

pressive only in the eyes of his die-hard supporters, as reflected in public opinion polls. The latest Social Weather Station poll, which shows Duterte enjoying a fantastic 78% approval rating, is a classic example of a “blank wall” survey — the respondents have no way around, over, or under the question, so they take the easy option. They give the response that they think the researchers expect them to give.

The polling firm could at least have asked what the respondents felt about the horrendous traffic situation in Metro Manila and the efficiency (or lack of efficiency) of public services, such as the release of car plates and drivers’ licenses by the LTFRB.

At any rate, these surveys give Duterte no motivation to get his managerial act together. As long as the Filipino people are happy and satisfied with his macho image, okay na iyan.

Never mind the continuing incompetence of his government. The mainstream and social media trolls and allies can always keep his poll ratings up.

Of course, the Duterte government did not invent incompetence in running the Philippine government. The unlamented administration of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III had an unbelievable talent for it.

But one would have expected that Duterte — with the glorious promise of “Change” — would appoint officials with the requisite managerial skills and the vision to identify the endemic problems in government, as well as the political will, the courage and the willingness to step on powerful toes to get the right things done por la Patria.

The traffic logjam in Metro Manila is one glaring example — nay, one embarrassing example — of bureaucratic incompetence, coupled with helplessness before the oligarchs.

The ideas concocted by the Department of Transportation, foreign entities like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Congress (which has a “Traffic Crisis” bill pending passage) have been classic examples of solutions that skirt a fundamental problem staring them in the face.