Race for the numbers

Since Benigno Aquino III assumed the position of president, he made his intentions very clear of weeding out officials who did the country wrong during their terms. The aggressiveness of the current administration in going after those who have allegedly betrayed the public trust, was seen in the recent hospital arrest of Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona; and the recent surrender of former elections chairman Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr. to the authorities.
The November 2011 Pulse Asia survey released last December 13, meanwhile, showed that it was not only the government’s fight against corruption that is winning the Filipinos’ trust. The public was also satisfied with the way the government has handled issues about housing loans and Pinoys working abroad with Vice President Jejomar Binay leading the poll with an 83% approval rating. President Aquino was not so far behind as he gained a trust rating of 72%.
Filipinos also showed appreciation in the efforts of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile with 60%; while Speaker Feliciano Belmonte received an approval rating of 45%. Chief Justice Renato Corona, on the other hand, ironically received the lowest trust rating with 29% albeit the results showing that the public mostly trust the Supreme Court and Senate with 53% and 51% respectively.
The survey was taken from Nov. 10-23, the time when the Supreme Court issued a controversial temporary restraining order on the watchlist order against former president Arroyo.
Released a day after Corona’s impeachment, the survey was proof that many were satisfied with the determination of Aquino to go after those believed to have betrayed his “bosses’” trust.
However, mainly focusing on his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, may not be enough citing the fact that Binay still aced the polls.
His hands-on approach in doing the best he can to help Filipinos abroad—especially during the conviction of Filipino drug mules into death sentence in China, has greatly contributed to Binay’s consistent high ratings and popularity. That said, it cannot be helped if political analyst would think that a competition might be brewing between the president and his vice-president.
Speaking about the Aug.-Sept. results of the Pulse Asia survey in which Binay also aced the polls was Abigail Valte. deputy presidential spokesperson. Valte told in a report, that the palace sees “nothing wrong” if the vice-president has a greater approval score than the president.
“Pareho pong tumaas ang numbers po nila. Masaya naman po tayo. Nakikita naman po ng ating mga kababayan yung ginagawa po ng ating mga opisyal para sa kanila,” she said.
Binay, on the other hand, did not seem to see his high ratings as an advantage for his plans to run for presidency in the next elections—a trait that is scarce of a vice-president. Whenever interviewed, Binay never fails to express his gratitude to the president for trusting him enough to serve the Filipino people in and out of the country.
“Again, I thank our President for his confidence and faith in me. I also thank the people for recognizing what we have done after a year in office. The survey results both inspire and challenge me to do more for our people.”
Competition is healthy for it inspires people to do better and strive harder. In serving the people, however, the elected must not try to outshine one another for they are past that stage.
Filipinos don’t want to see competition. They expect an actual manifestation of promises that these officials uttered when they were still campaigning.
Perhaps the reason why Binay has been consistently gaining the nods of his kababayans is by making sure Pinoys feel that he is doing the best he can to get the job done with no intention of sharing the limelight—a trait that more politicians should emulate.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ Dec 16-22, 2011 Sec A pg.6)