YEARENDER: Measuring the presidency
By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat.com
If the first six months of the presidency should give the people an idea of its policy directions, the following year should define the shape of the administration.
In his recent New Year’s message, President Benigno Aquino III claimed that his administration has successfully created change in the government and the country.
“Sa mahigit isa’t kalahating taon nang pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas, nakikita na natin ang pagbangon ng bansa, mula sa malubhang katiwalian at kahirapan. Unti-unti na po tayong nagtatagumpay laban sa mga problemang ating dinatnan. Ikumpara po natin ang kasalukuyan sa mga panahong lumipas.”
“Gaano man po katindi ang pagpipilit na magtanim ng agam-agam sa ating isipan, wala naman po sigurong makakapag-dudang nagbago na talaga ang Pilipinas.”
“Ngayon po, ibinabalik na natin ang piring ng katarungan. Ang kaunlaran ay natatamasa hindi lamang ng mayaman at makapangyarihan, ramdam na rin ng mas nakakarami nating kababayan.
“Nakikita naman po natin ang bunga ng ating ipinunlang mga reporma: may maalab na sigla at pag-asa, mataas na kumpiyansa, at malawak at mas maraming mga oportunidad sa bansa.”
President Aquino outlined his administration’s major accomplishments as: rising up from conditions of rampant corruption and poverty, restoration of justice, hope and confidence, and creation of more opportunities.
So is this true?
As far as addressing the problem of corruption is concerned, the administration was able to finally file a case against and arrest former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos for electoral sabotage; it was able to force Arroyo ally and former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to resign; and it was able to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona..... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/01/02/measuring-the-presidency/