New beginning, new hope, old dream

EDITORIAL

At high noon last June 30, President Benign “Noynoy” Aquino III was sworn in as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Swept to victory on a campaign for “Pagbabago” (Change) and a message of “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” (If there is no corruption, there is no poverty), Noynoy garnered the highest percentage of votes since the end of the Marcos dictatorship. Indeed, it was a clear mandate for change and rejection of the culture of corruption spawned during the nine and a half years of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s tumultuous presidency.

In a symbolic demonstration of change, Noynoy made changes to the way he was inaugurated as the country’s leader for the next six years. Gone are the long speeches, inaugural parades and pompous inaugurals balls. Instead there was a “street party” at the Quezon Memorial Circle in the evening. It was a people’s celebration of the dawn of a new era of Pagbabago. The austere cost of the inauguration signified the frugal tone of his presidency. He shunned the glamour of regal living in Malacañang Palace and settled for a simple place of abode near the palace.

The recently announced cabinet lineup includes new faces that emote the spirit of Pagbabago as well as experienced and proven executives who would see to it that this government would hit the ground running on Day One. After his swearing-in, Noynoy gave a stirring 20-minute speech where he crystallized his fight against corruption.

He said, “Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya” (Those who erred must face justice). And to make his point clear, he said: “To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice.” Yes, indeed.

He promised to review the “midnight appointments” of former president Arroyo and to clean up the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs of corruption to increase revenues.

After leading the “Pamata ng Pagbabago” (Pledge of Change) with the people, Noynoy was honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as their new Commander-in- Chief. After that he motored to Malacañang to preside over his first cabinet meeting. Noynoy’s ascendancy manifests a new beginning for a country beset with crises and whose constitution has been changed so many times that nothing seems to work anymore.

Since 1987 when the constitution was changed last in the aftermath of the first “people power” revolution of 1986, several attempts were made to amend it but failed. Noynoy doesn’t have to change the constitution to implement the changes he wants. All he needs is the will power that would give him the strength and determination to withstand the resistance from the defenders of status quo.

He promised to fight corruption and end poverty. The human being, we believe, is inherently honest; however, the temptation to commit corruption is always present. And if undeterred, corruption becomes a way of life, particularly for those who hold positions of authority. Then it becomes the standard for doing business, not only in the public sector but also in the private sector.”

Noynoy plans to create an independent commission to investigate and prosecute corruption cases during the Arroyo administration. He calls it the “Truth Commission” and it will be headed by retiredSupreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Ironically, it was Davide who swore in Gloria as president after Joseph Estrada was deposed in January 2001. Would he remain impartial and fair as the “Grand Inquirer” investigating Gloria’s alleged corruption?

So far, the people like what Noynoy said about fighting corruption and ending poverty. Indeed, there is sense of “new hope” that, finally, things are going to change… for the better. It’s a Herculean task for Noynoy, but it is doable.

A study made by Management Systems International in Washington, DC, in 2003, has concluded: “Corruption has direct consequences on economic and government factors, intermediaries that in turn produce poverty.” The study produced two models.

On the one hand, the “economic model” postulates that corruption affects poverty by first impacting economic growth factors, which, in turn, impact poverty levels. In other words, “Increased corruption reduces economic growth which would increase poverty.” On the other hand, the “government model” asserts that corruption affects poverty by first influencing governance factors, which, in turn, impact poverty levels. In other words, “Increased corruption reduces governance capacity which would increase poverty.”

What is needed is a sustained effort to prosecute corrupt officials -- ruthlessly, expeditiously, and judiciously. Ruthlessly it must -- take no prisoners. Expeditiously it must -- justice delayed is justice denied. And judiciously it must -- the court must be free of interference, from within and without. It should be incorruptible and “untouchable.”

Can Noynoy do it? Would the Supreme Court cooperate? With the Chief Justice and nine associate justices perceived to be indebted -- “utang na loob” -- and partial to Arroyo, it remains to be seen if Noynoy could put a closure to corruption cases involving the Arroyos and others. The High Court could be the Arroyos’ “Court of Final Redemption.”

Noynoy should set the tone of his presidency in the first 100 days. The fight against corruption must start on Day One. If he is truly keen about eradicating corruption and poverty, as he promised, then there must be discipline at all levels of the government. He must relentlessly pursue the real truth -- not the “manufactured” truth -- and prosecute those who have stolen from the people.

Noynoy concluded his inaugural speech by saying: “The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality.” Indeed, it’s a dream as old as the First Republic when Filipinos declared their independence from Spain in 1896. That dream has eluded us as we fall prey to the dominion of corrupt governments.

Noynoy’s presidency ushers in a new beginning of Pagbabago and ignites hope that our dream would soon become a reality. After hearing his inaugural speech, Noynoy may have what it takes to fight corruption.

“My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward,” he said.

Carry on Noynoy, lead and the people would be right behind you.