A day at a time

Despite the nuclear crisis in Japan, and the rising conflict between Libya and other countries, President Aquino still have reasons to smile through the hardships encountered by his administration.  He recently learned that majority of Filipinos still trust him as shown in the latest Pulse Asia Survey from Feb 24 to March 6.
Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan survey revealed that President Aquino still enjoys majority of the Filipinos’ trust; with 75 percent approving that he is doing a good job as Chief Executive in as far as “fighting graft and corruption” (56 percent), “fighting criminality (54 percent)”, and “increasing peace in the country (53 percent)” are concerned.
With the fight against corruption as his top priority, President Aquino’s administration continues to stay true to its word by keeping an eagle’s eye on officials with questionable credibility–especially when it involves the misuse of the country’s funds. One example is the recent order of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to summon military comptroller Lt. Gen Jacinto Ligot and his wife, Erlinda, over a case of tax evasion.
Meanwhile, another government official who is set to be put on trial before the Senate is Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierez, who was voted to be impeached by the House of Representatives (212-46) last March 22 for failure to act on $329 million NBN-ZTE deal, sitting on the P72 million fertilizer fund scam, and the P1 million Le Cirque New York dinner of the Arroyo entourage during a US trip, among others.
Pleased to address the lawmakers who voted for Gutiereze’s impeachment as “heroes,” President Aquino said in a report  that the Congress “has put an end to the long era of impunity that tarnished our institutions and made a mockery of the bedrock principle of accountability enshrined in our constitution.”
Whilst graft and corruption is being tackled by the government, some Pinoys fear that other issues of the country might remain unsolved as the same survey by Pulse Asia revealed a slight decline of five percent from the 79 percent rating that President Aquino got last October 2010. Sliding down from 53 percent to 42 percent were the issue regarding population growth; and down by 11 points is the creation of more jobs for Filipinos. Also showing decrease in points included the issue on “enforcing the law equally on all Filipinos,” fighting criminality,” salary increase, and inflation control.
Pulse Asia, however, said that there are “no significant changes in the performance and trust ratings of the President Aquino between October 2010 and March 2010- at the national level and in all geographic areas and socio-economic groups.”
When asked on March 21 regarding his thoughts in the survey, the President said that the recent situations in Japan and Libya—not to mention the latest flooding in Leyte, have got his hands full; and therefore, have not given him the chance to read the Pulse survey.
For a someone who carries the burden of an entire nation upon his shoulders, it is easy to get distracted and be disheartened with everybody crying for help. While the president may be the country’s most powerful man, the truth still remains that he is no Superman. A true leader is revealed through his honesty, not only to his followers, but also to himself, that he cannot do it on his own. A great leader is defined not by his empty promises that seeks instant approval, but by promises that are fulfilled a day at a time.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ Mar 25-31, 2011 Sec A pg. 6)