Have you ever wondered why as
2016 approaches the attacks against PNoy are getting more frequent and vicous
by the day?
The accelerating attacks
against the person of President Noynoy
Aquino to get him out of Malacanang is in effect an indication of what he has
thus far accomplished.
Unknown to many, he has given
the Filipino people the gift of hope for their future. He has threatened to end
the historic prevailing culture of impunity in the country by invading the
comfort zone of the core of power and wealth in the country. He has indirectly
destabilized the the lifestyle of two or
three clan leaders in Ilocos, two/three in Iloilo, three/four in Cebu and about
a dozen in the Manila area and over 20 high flying oligarchs. Politics in the
Philippines has been under the control of a few notable families. It is
considered normal for a politician's son, wife, brother, or other kinsman, to
run for the same or other government office.
One can trace its roots from
the Spanish colonial times where favored families of the mestizo stock, or the
Illustrados were given responsibilities of Gobernadorcillo, or Alcalde. As
such, these men have wielded some influence in their communities, and patronage
politics became a common Philippine undertaking.
During the early years of
American rule of the Philippine Islands, these Illustrados joined the
democratic process introduced by the Philippine Bill of 1902. During this
period, family names such as Cojuangco, Lopez, Marcos, Osmeña and Aquino
started to emerge, later on becoming household names.
Cory Aquino’s 1987
Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26, "The
State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and
prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."
Many have called for the
Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty Law, but this bill has been understandably passed
over by each Congress since 1987.
It is recognized that oligarchy is the root
problem of all the corruption in the Philippines.
At the beginning of his term
in 2010, PNoy’s message was clear – to transform Philippine society and
reintroduce morality to public service. His two major weapons were to
institutionalize the rule of law and to set a personal example of personal
integrity. This model of personal behavior would extend to that of his
immediate family, especially his sisters and their families. He has remained
true to this promise.
For so many, many years the
realization of a government that would actively fight graft and corruption and
where corrupt judges and politicians, tax evaders, smugglers and money
launderers would actively be prosecuted and punished, was just wishful thinking
on the part of the Filipino people.
Today, after neutralizing
selected questionable seats of judicial authority, the filing of graft and
plunder cases against three senators and a growing number of other political
bigwigs, there is a real sense of hope that this quest for a just society is
actually taking place and may even be realized in our lifetime.
But as to be expected there are
many detractors coming from those who are in control of plundered accumulated
hidden treasure now at risk of exposure if the struggle against corruption
succeeds. What do you think will these
plunderers do?
Also, there are moneyed
politicians preparing for 2016 elections hoping the environment will remain as
before where patronage, money and cheating win elections.
Our tabloid media is
intellectually and mentally light years away from serious news media like BBC
and Bloomberg. Generally, media is more
a distraction than a help to good governance. They are simply focused on
ratings and since the biggest competitors are entertainment shows, then these
radio and television commentators must find ways to be entertaining. Listening to
their programs, you will find an inane mix of gossip, wild commentaries and
games where the public can participate with the lure of a prize.
The ideal thing therefore is
for the President to make hard decisions and then go and educate the people on
why a decision that was necessarily unpopular was made. In the end, history
will make the final decision on P-Noy’s legacy.
Clear-thinking Filipinos will
just need to understand this and do what they believe in – praying their will shall
finally prevail.
