ON October 2, President Benigno Aquino III completed his first 100 days as the leader of the Philippines, the day when Filipinos evaluated him as president.
Although we may have differing opinions about how much he has achieved in more than three months, we should realize that grading him should not be based on popularity.
Running a country that has been through a lot is no easy feat, and during his speech to report his first 100 days in office at the La Consolacion College in Manila last October 7, Aquino showed his determination to implement reforms in government and tackle corruption cases. This, as Presidential Communications Group Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said, signifies a new way of looking at governance that looks at the people’s trust and confidence.
“Isandaang araw po ang nakalipas, nagpanata ako sa taumbayan: Hindi ko tatalikuran ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa akin. (One hundred days has passed, and I promised to my countrymen – I will not betray the trust you have given me,” said the President.
A stronger economy and a government ready to listen and speak the truth was how Aquino described what his administration has achieved in the first 100 days. He warned those wanting to return to power that their “days are numbered.”
“You now have a government that is ready to talk to you and tell you the truth…ready to listen to fruitful discussions. You have a government that no longer ignores you and abuses you. Confidence has returned, our economy has become stronger,” Aquino said. This restored confidence has promised a level playing field in business opportunities for all investors.
The President also mentioned efforts to rechannel resources and identify priorities in the national budget, making sure that taxes are used properly, and do not go into the pockets of corrupt officials. In fact, it was during his first days in office that he uncovered the excessive pays of executives in government corporations. This prompted him to issue an executive order to suspend these privileges. He also cited the cancellation of irregular contracts by the government for public projects, as well as the implementation of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) that would benefit poor Filipinos.
Some gave the President a “failing” mark for his first 100 days in office, pointing out his absence in the August 23 hostage crisis and criticizing him for his “weak” choices in some of his cabinet members. But then again, it has only been a hundred days – the country’s problems have been piling up for decades.
There is still so much to do until Aquino’s term ends, and even then, not all of the country’s problems may be solved. We should look at the first 100 days as a test run – and since all systems are working out good so far, it is a positive sign that he just might get to the finish line with flying colors. (AJPress)
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published October 9, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A12 )
