A few months ago, my
wife and I joined a bus trip to Atlantic City sponsored by the Philippine
American Bar Association (PABA). Also in the trip were Filipino American
community leaders in the Washington, D.C. area.
It was a fun, joyful and in fact, educational trip. On our
way back home, we had a very fruitful discussion on Philippine socio-economic
and political issues. Almost unanimous was a very optimistic view of the PNoy
Administration. Many were aware of my column and obviously knew where I was
coming from.
A lawyer who has been
going back and forth to the Philippines asked me about PNoy’s successor –
concerned about the continuity of the latter’s “matuwid na daan” or “kung
walang corrupt, walang mahirap” program.
I explained that it would take a whole generation to
institute social changes or individual attitudes especially in an environment
where the culture of corruption and impunity successfully thrive. PNoy started
it firmly by seriously fighting corruption and aggressively trying to remove
that “Wang Wang” mentality.
This is why I
endorsed the Aquino-Roxas ticket. Six years of Aquino would not be enough. Six
years of Roxas and another one for the same period of the same mold or party would
also be necessary.
Since Roxas did not win as PNoy’s Vice-President (pending
protest), who would succeed the latter?
My answer to the
lawyer’s original question was, “It would be PNoy’s Choice. If he continues to
bat for Roxas, then, it would be Roxas. If he chooses someone else, then the
next President would be that person.”
Then, my compañero asked, “Who would that other person be?”
ROBREDO – the DARK
HORSE
I said, “Many things
could happen in four years but based on his background, reputation and actual
performance so far, I am betting on Secretary Jesse Robredo.”
Like PNoy, Robredo represented HONESTY in government. Like PNoy, he displayed HUMILITY both in public and private dealings. Like PNoy, he
inspired HOPE for the people’s
aspirations. Like PNoy, he brought HONOR
to his family, his hometown, and his country.
Moving from a
successful private sector executive career to a multi-award winning city
executive, he showed and proved that good governance would be more efficient,
effective, and better appreciated if done with people power and public-private
participation.
Sadly, Secretary Jesse Robredo is no longer with us. Our condolences
along with our prayers go to his family as he enters the gates of heaven. His memories,
hopes, and dreams will remain with us – in our hearts, in our thoughts, in our
actions.
As my mother would
say, “Things happen for a reason. They are all in GOD’s plan.”
PERSONNEL
The death of
Secretary Robredo and the impeachment of CJ Corona present PNoy with some
personnel decisions that would affect not only his Presidency, the future of
his party but, most especially, the path to a progressive and prosperous
Philippines.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Based on the short list submitted to him by the Judicial and
Bar Council, it looks like his choice as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
would be one of the Associate Justices. Not comfortable with Acting CJ Carpio
who is very qualified, I expect PNoy to appoint Associate Justice Sereno.
Justice Sereno was
his first appointee to the court. He chose a woman (Justice Morales) to
administer his Presidential oath of office. Justice Sereno’s appointment would be historical because she
would be the first woman Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
She is a woman of integrity and has a very clean record. Like PNoy, she
embodies honesty, humility, hope and honor.
She could work with Justice Carpio and the other Justices. Of course,
the new Associate Justice to be appointed would do the same.
Like those of de Lima (Justice), Morales (Ombudsman),
Henares (BIR), Castro (SEC), Delis (Peace), Soliman (Social Welfare) and the
other women in his team, the impact of Sereno’s appointment by PNoy would be
for generations.
Who would replace
Robredo as Secretary of DILG? Right now, he designated Executive Secretary
Ochoa as Acting Secretary. Senator Lacson, who is no longer qualified to run
for another term, seems to be interested.
PPPP
This is where PNoy’s Planning, Programming, and Preparation
(PPPP) come into play. If PNoy wants Roxas to be the next President, he might
decide to permanently put the latter at DILG. For the next few months, Roxas
would have direct exposure, administration, and supervision over all the local
officials up to the Barangay level.
Working with the
Liberal Party apparatus and Budget Secretary Abad, Roxas would be able to know
and recruit local candidates who share the same values as the Aquino-Roxas –New
LP tandem in the coming elections and in the next Presidential elections.
PPPP = PPPP = PPPP
The efficient and effective use of Personnel, People Power
and the Party in Preparing and Programming PNoy’s Plans should be geared
towards the Path to a Progressive and Prosperous Philippines. This would take
more than one term. There is a need for continuity. Otherwise, we go back to
the same vicious and unacceptable cycle.
This is my personal
view as a private citizen. I am expressing them because I care about our
country. I have no ties with PNoy or the Liberal Party.
But I am very hopeful that if some politicos do not mess it
up, we should be on our way to prosperity and to being a poverty-free country.
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