COMMENTARY: Assessing PNoy

In 2010, following the departure or "homegoing" of Prez Cory, the presidency was thrust on Sen. Noynoy, thwarting the Restoration of Erap or the Coronation of Manny V, burdened with corruption issues, or the emergence of Gibo Teodoro, not so encumbered.
 

PNoy himself has not been credibly charged with corruption, along with people like BIR chief Kim Henares, a possible problem with others, beginning with Jojobama Binay, who has to deal with heavy perceptual problems. 

 
No stealing by No. 1 meant huge savings.

PNoy was perceived as a lightweight in 2010; but, we note the ouster of a post-midnight appointee as Chief Justice, usurper Rene Corona. Certain untouchables are in jail but we should have more compassion for ailing GMA and nonagenarian JPE. Now PNoy is charged with being dictatorial, a trait linked to strong dynamic leadership.

 
The 2013 polls were credible. Nothing of the delay and violence of the past, by and large.

We are moving to solve our Muslim Mindanao problem. So also with the CCP-NPA dilemma.

Our international standing is up, in many fronts.

The human rights victims of the Marcoses should finally get compensated in the next few months; PNoy had raised eyebrows by naming as chief of the compensation board a former police general, striking some as having an inmate run the asylum. It has not been the only questionable choice of PNoy.

Press freedom we have enjoyed and license we see all over, like perpetuating the myth that Prez Cory was an indolent 9-5 government worker, playing mahjong, just recycled by gutsy Mon Tulfo. I was in Malacanang in 1986-87, Present at the Creation, before I ran for the Senate. Not true. The coups alone made us work, even on Sundays.              

Population remains a concern; here PNoy has parted ways with the Most Numerous Church, which bats for self-, not birth, control.

The mess or garbage Canada exported here is problematic but that left by the Conjugal Dictators is humongous. Massive clean-up required.

PNoy has laid down his share of bricks in the national cathedral. I'd grade him at least 80%. I can up it if we have fair and credible polls in 2016, for the changing of the guard.

Too late now to talk of constitutional amendment or revision but his mother's fundamental law does need change, given the lessons of our experience of nearly three decades.

Be it noted that no one becomes infallible on ascending the presidency. Only the Pope is so characterized, and only on matters of faith and morals. Mamasapano is a black eye but ground commanders should take responsibility, and the credit for eliminating Marwan and Usman. Innocent Muslims, like Sara, 5, were also killed. Collateral damage. War is hell.

JFK and the Bay of Pigs of 1960. The failed Iran U.S. Embassy rescue by Jimmy Carter of 1980. The Beirut Barrack Debacle of Ron Reagan of 1983 when 241 servicemen were killed. The Black Hawk Down of Bill Clinton of 1993 in Somalia. The ongoing Irag bloodletting Dubya Bush inaugurated in 2003. No Prez was sued. Fortunes of war.

Patton was said to have exhorted his troops, "do not die for your country, make the bastards die for theirs." Or words to that effect.   

Warriors are trained to kill or be killed, Spartan, particularly in enemy lair our troopers entered. PNoy will survive Mamasapano and won't ever be jailed. What for? Imperfection? Imagine where we would be now had not Providence intervened in 2009-10.

His Ma said in 1986, "let us begin, rebuilding the national cathedral." PNoy has laid down his share of bricks. We cannot rebuild in a day what Macoy and Imelda ruined, which wasn't Rome in its grandeur. The glory that was Greece. Edgar Allan Poe.

PNoy hasn't led us to where Greece is now but has gone far in the other direction. 
 

---

 
Rene Saguisag is a former senator who authored RA 6713, The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees.