PNoy’s wounded political ties

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza 

Months ago, President Noynoy Aquino received the lowest approval rating since he sat in Malacanang in 2010. Weeks ago, three impeachment complaints were filed in Congress. He avoided talking about these, instead, the President delivered his State of the Nation Address starting with the previous styles he did in the past. In his SONA, he mentioned his accomplishments with a video presentation and defended the DAP saying the P1.6 B education program helped more than 200,000 scholars. 

He mentioned something about improving classrooms so that students do not have to crowd in it. PNoy also talked about improving the PAGASA, providing work for the jobless by training with TESDA, housing programs, upgrading the equipment of soldiers, free medical treatment in public hospitals, and improving the peace in Mindanao.

After his three-hour 5th SONA, President Noynoy’s detractors and enemies talked about what they wanted to hear in his speech, but did not. If they did, that moment could have probably renewed his ties with them. That could have been good for the last two years of his term as having more enemies is the last thing a politician wants. 

Instead, PNoy called them “enemies of transformation”, describing them as critics who do nothing but oppose his reforms. To an extent, he said his detractors are not against him, but “against the people who benefit from the straight and narrow path.” Lashing at his perceived enemies, PNoy literally blocked chances of curing an already damaged political relationship.  

But as he started, a group of congressmen walked out of the hall. The walk-out and protest initially revolved around the controversial DAP or Disbursement Acceleration Program that also sparked the filing of impeachment complaints against PNoy. The lawmakers said, they chose to join the masses – the real victims of corruption that they say, has no chance of being stopped under an abusive leader. 

It was an emotional and less direct speech, but loaded with overtones. In similar manner, as in his past SONAS, PNoy mentioned his parents Ninoy and Cory, and re-echoed his father’s statement “the Filipino is worth dying for.”  It was a good attempt to retain support and regain those who may have gone wayward. Although, critics of his speech say that it could have been more successful if he mentioned things that people wanted to hear but did not. 

These were: the quarrel with the Supreme Court regarding the DAP after this was declared to be unconstitutional; the arrest and imprisonment of Senators Enrile, Jinggoy and Revilla; and his 2010 campaign promise – the passage of the Freedom of Information or FOI bill that was expected to improve transparency in government transactions.

On the streets outside the Batasan, thousands of protesters representing the problems they wanted to raise said, their “patience is wearing thin.” Bayan Parylist Sec. Gen. Renato Reyes, Jr. said, “The time for excuses is over. Now is the time for accountability.” Farmers who wanted a more sincere land reform program joined the protest rallies. 

Students, teachers, laborers and ordinary workers and the jobless who mixed with the protesters shouted against corruption and poverty. And those who used to believe in him, those who campaigned for him now say they've been let down. For the last two years of his term, PNoy should start curing his wounded alliance. The SONA should heal, not hurt.