Protect the legacy
PRESIDENT Simeon Aquino lll is traversing the Philippine archipelago presiding at the inauguration of infrastructure projects, a fitting legacy of his six-year term. Unfortunately his role as president is being overshadowed by his being the campaign manager of his anointed, former DOTC and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. As he makes it a point in these occasions to always praise Roxas as a worthy successor, he unwittingly diverts the public attention from the commendable achievements of his administration to the non-accomplishments of Sec. Roxas. Every infrastructure project completed reminds the riding public that as Secretary of DOTC, candidate Mar Roxas did not take the necessary steps to upgrade the MRT/ LRT systems nor did his chosen successors. A major reason for today’s traffic gridlock is due to the inadequacy of mass transport facilities and the liberality in issuing drivers’ licenses all under the DOTC sphere of influence.
In the Davao “gathering of friends,” President Aquino again recognized his choice, “Ano ba ang pinagkaiba ni Mar sa ibang masasabi nating hangad ang puwesto? Si Mar ho nagbabad. Bago dumating si Yolanda, nandoon na hanggang nakalma ang sitwasyon, hanggang napanumbalik ‘yung mga tinatawag na basic services, tulad ng tubig, tulad ng kuryente.” These statements will surely enrage the victims of the typhoon Yolanda, who experienced the “leadership and management style” of then Secretary Roxas. What kind of a leader gets caught in the typhoon without making the necessary preparations to mitigate the effects of the disaster and attend fast to the needs of the victims? A leader would have been in a secure area directing forces to the strategic areas of concern and concentrating on logistics management. Not trying to direct traffic which may look good as a photo PR but has minimal contribution to the overall relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The leadership of Sec. Mar Roxas during the typhoon Yolanda aftermath showed two disturbing traits – insensitivity to the sufferings of the people and a political mindset. The public will not forget his confrontation with Mayor Romualdez where he was perceived to have introduced “politics” in the relief operations by alluding to the historical Aquino and Romualdez rift. At no time during the disaster did the victims feel the genuine concern of Sec. Roxas. He was too busy confronting foreign journalists like Anderson Cooper and trying to get them to tone down their reporting. It showed that he was more concerned in trying to paint a pretty picture, when both the international and local publics knew the worst had happened.
A true leader would have stayed on and guided the rehabilitation efforts so that the areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda would not only have overcome their past but would be moving to a better future. A survey of the voters of Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas would show a very low rating for Sec. Mar Roxas, a better evaluation of his record before, during, and after the disaster than the glowing praises of President Aquino. Btw, I had an occasion to have dinner with a few barangay chairmen in Iloilo who told me that of all the senators and public servants coming from the region, they valued most Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Miriam Santiago. These two senators were not only accessible to their constituents but also were responsible for numerous projects benefiting them; a glaring contrast to Senator Mar Roxas.
It is dangerous for President Aquino to hitch his legacy on one man, whose record of service has been of non-performance, maybe because his training has been more of an analyst than an executive. It is also unfair to the rest of his Cabinet who have delivered and whose accomplishments are widely recognized – Sec. Cesar Purisima who heads the economic team that helped steer the Philippine economy to high growth rates, Sec. Butch Abad, wrongly maligned but who has introduced necessary reforms in the budget system, Sec. Babes Singson, low key but has a string of impressive results including laying the foundation for a reformed DPWH, Sec. Dinky Soliman, who has pushed the CCT program towards better transparency and accountability and during disasters, pays attention to the logistics not the politics, Sec. Albert del Rosario who has made a diplomacy an instrument for OFW welfare and safety and has been in the field during any crisis confronting them, Sec. Voks Gazmin who has kept the Armed Forces loyal despite numerous provocations, and former Sec. Jericho Petilla whose background was not in energy but showed that a good manager can perform in any field.
President Aquino, protect your legacy by ending your term as a statesman – ensuring a fair and honest election, finishing all projects but in an ordered rather than hurried manner and prevent the politicization of the government bureaucracy. The Filipino people elected you in 2010 as a direct opposite to then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a perceived trapo. Please keep true to your bossings’ expectations of you.