DESPITE his efforts to keep to his promise of providing a more transparent and responsive government and his acquisition of $2.4-billion in investments from his successful trip in the United States, PNoy was still inundated with poor marks for his first 100 days in the presidency by various sectors.
Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who earlier alleged that Interior Undersecretary and close friend of PNoy, Rico E. Puno, was receiving payola from illegal gambling operators, gave the President a passing mark of C or 75.
Militant Group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said that PNoy’s performance is a “disappointment.”
An informal survey among RP reporters revealed that even the press does not have the expected confidence on Pres. Aquino — 17 gave him a C; 7 gave him a D; 2 gave him a B and 1, an E.
Human rights groups have also expressed their discontent over PNoy’s performance, citing added extrajudicial killings at the beginning of PNoy’s term and the continued detention of the “Morong 43.”
However, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) thought otherwise. They believe that PNoy deserves a grade of 80-90 percent for his efforts in cutting red tape and improving the business climate.
Regardless of these ratings, PNoy remains unfazed. According to presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, “The president will do his job regardless of what people say or what pundits will say.”
Is PNoy’s first 100 days in office really that underwhelming? Or is this another manifestation of crab mentality, which is said to be prevalent among Filipinos?
Why should expectations be so lofty at such a short span of time?
Even before he was inaugurated, PNoy made it clear that he is not superman.
“You have to be humble to say you are not Superman and Einstein combined. You don’t have all the solutions at your fingertips,” he said.
“Once you are aware of your limitations, at the end of the day, there are certain things to be left to God. You ask to be His instrument in making His kingdom on Earth apparent and, at the same time, you ask for His protection to do what has to be done,” PNoy added.
Arguably, a lot of unsavory events have ensued during the first 100 days of his presidency — among which is the tragic hostage drama incident that left 8 HK nationals dead. And admittedly, Aquino’s administration was caught unprepared for such a contingency.
But birthing pains are part of any new leadership, especially one that is still at its infancy.
Just as a child will go through pain when he grows his first tooth or will stumble before he can take his first step, PNoy is only human to make a few mistakes and bad judgments.
Never in Philippine history was there a “perfect president.” All of them faced major hurdles and made mistakes along the way.
What’s important is that, as Lacierda said, PNoy’s administration is still “on track” in fulfilling its foremost objectives of alleviating poverty and stamping out corruption. We still have a lot to be thankful for.(AJPress)
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published October 6, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A6 )
