NOYNOY: HOPE, HONESTY, HUMILITY, HONOR

Paraphrasing the words of Father Horacio de la Costa, a famous Jesuit historian once said, the Filipino is historically a mestizo, - a product of the East and West, influenced by the Spanish friars and America’s Hollywood. His heart is Hispanic, head or mind American but face and body Asian. In most cases, he is neither here nor there. He is always conflicted. You ask him a question and his answer is always preceded by “it depends” or “on the one hand, on the other hand.

There is another part of Philippine history which we may also consider in analyzing Filipino identity and behavior. Our country is named after King Philip of Spain. His name is rooted from the Greek word Philippoussis which means “lover of horses.” That’s why the Filipino is known to love his “kabayo” in a race intensely, whether it is a horse or political race. Once he has chosen his “kabayo” the Filipino spends time, money and effort to make his chosen “kabayo” to win. He also likes to horse around.

The question is, “how does he choose his “kabayo” or what kind of “kabayo” does he want?”

The Presidential choices since Philippine independence should give us some insights. In politics, perception is reality. The Filipinos have always chosen what they perceive as “macho” or someone with some supernatural or divine powers: First was General Aguinaldo; then strong man Quezon; followed by General Roxas; then by divine intervention (death) macho Ilocano Quirino; followed by Defense Secretary Magsaysay; again by divine intervention (death) macho Boholano Garcia; macho Pampagueno Macapagal; Guerilla fighter with “anting anting”Marcos; would have been succeeded by “Superboy” Ninoy but because of Divine and people power intervention ,“Blessed” Corazon Aquino; then General Ramos and finally, movie super hero “Erap. GMA was never chosen by the Filipinos directly. They actually chose another macho super hero, Fernando Poe, Jr. but GMA cheated. That’s why the likes of General Danny Lim rebelled to protect and defend the will of the people which was trampled upon. For fear of a real macho man like Lim, GMA and her corrupt Generals detained him.

Some political analysts would like to simply say that it is a choice between “good or evil” or “the lesser of several evils”. It is not really as simple as that. Who are we to say that one or all are evil? Who are we to throw stones? Better to assume that they are all good, being children of God and created on his own image.

Noynoy Aquino was not planning to run for President. A few months after the death of his mother, the late President Cory Aquino, a clamor for him to run started. Fully aware of the alternatives at the time, people desired a leader of Cory-like integrity, honesty and humility. A petition asking him to run circulated and a movement was born. After reading Facebook friend Conrado de Quiros’ column on NOYPI (Noynoy for President Initiative), I immediately planned to start a petition online but found out that there was already one with over a hundred signatures. So I joined it instead by affixing my digital signature as one of the first 200 online, thus officially clamoring for Noynoy to run.

When Noynoy decided to run, he became my “kabayo” or my horse. Why is Noynoy my choice?

I belong to what I call 4H and E-Generation. I am one of those who wants a President who brings Honesty, Humility, Honor and Hope to his job. I am one who is deeply concerned with Education, Economic growth (employment, entrepreneurship, equity expansion), Electronic media or communications, Environment, Empowerment, Enlightenment, Energy Independence, Excellent Health Care, Electoral Reforms and Effective Security Force.

My horse has the breeding I want. From Cory, he inherited Honesty and Humility. From Ninoy, he got Hope and martyrdom. From both, he will bring Honor to his country. On the reforms needed to satisfy the E-Generation, he has a built-in Platform of Government. It is a product of the People Power revolution, written by wise men personally chosen by CORY, and approved, ratified and therefore, co-owned by the Filipino people. It is clear, brief and concise. It is executable, enforceable, mandatory and supreme. It is backed by implementing statutes, adhering legislation, accompanying executive orders, regulations and jurisprudence. It is protected and defended by the Armed Forces and police agencies as well as adhered to by every executive, legislative and judicial officer. It is the CORY CONSTITUTION. Others are encouraged to adopt it too but at this point of our history, the best person trusted to execute, enforce, obey, protect and defend it, is Cory’s son, NOYNOY.

Macho? Noynoy has very strong moral convictions. He has openly said that he will go after all GMA officials and their accomplices including GMA herself for any crime/s committed. He should work towards the release of General Lim to lead in reforming the Armed Forces either in the Senate or in some other capacity. He would gain the respect of a reformed and professionalized Armed Forces.

When Noynoy was being criticized for not passing that many laws as a Senator and Congressman, his answer was, “there are enough good laws that are already passed, they just have to be implemented.” This is the same answer which Raul Manglapus gave when he was running for President and had very few Senatorial, and Congressional candidates in his party who would help him pass laws. The criticism is on “omission” or what Noynoy failed to do. The problem is, if they go further, it could backfire. It is not hard to enumerate what anyone omitted to do either as President, Senate President, Senator, Speaker, and Congressman, Cabinet member, Mayor or some position of responsibility.

Noynoy would be surrounded by a great team. Without a wife, he would be assisted by her sisters. Ballsy, Pinky, and Viel who are all Cory-like. The three are the closest thing to non-nun Mother Theresa. They, especially Ballsy, already had learning experiences from Cory’s time. Kris is a female Ninoy. She is the youngest and her older sisters will make her toe the line. I remember reading about how Noynoy publicly scolded and expressed his disappointment about something that Kris had done.

Noynoy’s leadership was not imposed. It evolved. He was followed and was asked to lead. He inspired a whole movement. Among the millions of followers, he would recruit and hire those who have “galing at talino”; who appreciate “hirap at tiaga”; and those who would bring competence, efficiency, honesty, humility, honor, and hope to their jobs.

The degree of responsibility is always commensurate to the degree of power. Noynoy’s power over Hacienda Luisita is minimal being a minority shareholder. Once he becomes President, he would use the powers of the office to deal with it once and for all.

Mar Roxas must be elected as Vice President to work with Noynoy. To institute the educational, environmental, economic, electoral, military/police, judicial, civil service, social and constitutional reforms needed, it would take more than six years; in fact, a whole generation. Mar is needed as a Co-Manager to tackle them. He prepared and invested to be President. He sacrificed and gave way to Noynoy. He deserves to be Vice-President.

This election is about the future and the Filipino dream, impossible as it may seem. But by all means, let us dream. For it is in dreaming that we hope; it is hoping that we live; it is in living that we fight; it is in fighting that we succeed.

VOTE for NOYNOY and MAR!