‘Politically disruptive’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 06/27/2010

‘Politically disruptive’

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 06/27/2010 In his June 21, 2010 letter, Vice President-elect and Makati Mayor Jojo Binay said his decision not to accept any Cabinet position for now (emphasis supplied) in the incoming Aquino administration was meant to “lighten its burdens” especially in the crucial early stages of its term. In its totality, the letter was as much an expression of regret for a botched opportunity to heal and unite the nation behind the top two elected leaders of the land as well as an indictment of the highly personalistic and the mindless power-at-all-cost political culture, which has been our lot for as long as one can remember. Said Binay: “...I respectfully ask you to remove my name from the list (of nominees for DILG Secretary) and, if ever, from any other list of nominees for the Cabinet. I do not wish to be an additional burden to you — especially as it has become more and more apparent that my being appointed to any Cabinet post has become a politically contentious issue within your party and group of supporters, however improper and petty that seems to many people... “May I reiterate my previous statement that I fully respect your prerogative to name the members of your Cabinet. Your official family must not only enjoy your trust and confidence. They should also be able to work as a team. This early, it is clear that I would not be treated as a member of the team owing to the fact that I am not a member of the Liberal Party or of any of the groups that supported you and your running mate. My presence would at best be seen as politically disruptive to the already existing relations among members of your incoming official family and could only add to your difficulties that I believe are unnecessary especially during the crucial stages of your administration...” Indeed, given the highly politicized and partisan manner which have attended the relations of the two leaders since their proclamation (they only got to have a face-to-face meeting a little more than two weeks after the event) this development was bound to happen. It is well that Binay has decided to simply fade away from the scene — for now — and leave President Aquino whom he described as a “good friend” to lead the nation in the manner he knows best. And that includes choosing the people he will work with him at the highest levels of government. But it is regrettable that this had to happen so early in the game. After all, the nation had expected the two — even if belonging to different parties — to come around under one program of action and bring about the change both of them had promised during the campaign. Both of them were considered part of the broad opposition to the outgoing Arroyo administration and had almost similar advocacies as far as solutions to the long standing problems — say, on corruption, poverty alleviation, governance and the like — are concerned. At this point, we can only hope that the Vice President will stick to his word (and I have no doubt he will) that he will extend all possible assistance to President Aquino and his administration, speak out on issues of national concern and, more importantly, that he will give due respect and treat him as a true friend and as family. Simply put, our people will not abide by and the country cannot tolerate “disruptive relations” between and among our leaders especially if seen as unprincipled and simply a question of political one upmanship and nothing else this early in their terms. I will not hazard any unsolicited advice to the both of them but certainly they cannot afford to have this kind of cooling off, in a sense, prolonged beyond necessary. Otherwise, both may not be able to stand the pressures and the currents which will surely come their way as the country girds for problematic times ahead. Already, they are giving cross signals on the issue of the Slex toll rates and the oil price hike, among others, which to be sure are not the most difficult of those which they and our people will have to face as we get ourselves out of the lingering economic crisis and move into a more sustainable and equitable development path.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100627com5.html

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