Mano-a-mano. Sanggu president Drew Copuyoc praises Aquino's efforts for change. Photo by Ean L. Dacay.
A YEAR has passed since President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III rose to the presidency and promised to lead Filipinos to the “daang matuwid” (righteous path). A survey conducted by the Ateneo Statistics Circle this month revealed that 162 out of 164 respondents gave him a passing mark, rating him an average of 2.47—equal to a C+.
Respondents were asked to state Aquino’s strengths and weaknesses, rate their awareness and approval of the administration’s plans, and give the president a grade for his first year in office.
Strengths and weaknesses
All respondents were highly aware of the government’s actions on corruption, poverty, RH Bill, transparency, the Arroyos, military corruption, and education. Less than half were familiar with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill (28.45%) and his program on social services (38.41%).
In terms of approval, Aquino got the highest marks in his actions on corruption (77%), and transparency (71%). Due to low awareness, the FOI Bill (57%) and social services (56%) got the lowest approval. Aquino’s stands on education and the RH Bill both got low marks at 59% as well.
One respondent’s comment in the survey represents a prevalent sentiment regarding Aquino’s weaknesses:
“He is too focused on Arroyo… that he’s not promulgating any new projects. He isn’t firm on his stand on certain things (RH Bill and FOI Bill). He hasn’t solved the problems like poverty and education.”
Questions on poverty
Ateneo student leaders gave Aquino an above average mark, ranging from 7 to 8 out of 10. Most of them praised Aquino for his efforts in setting a good example.
“He’s trying to change the status quo of presidents. For example, when he gives a speech, it’s still in Tagalog,” Sanggunian President Drew Copuyoc said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) President Ken Abante added, “He’s very conscious about some of the mistakes that the previous administration did.”
Still, they believe that Aquino could have done better. “[I’m] satisfied, but not thrilled. It’s like, ‘Okay, fine. But we know you can do more,’” Partido IsaBuhay IsaGawa-Agila (IBIG-Agila) President Drex Oarde said in a mix of English and Filipino.
For instance, they think that something must be done regarding the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. “Isn’t it about time for them to decide?” Oarde said.
Copuyoc and Abante are also unsure of Aquino’s long-term plans, especially in eradicating poverty. Both of them noted that the government’s efforts are focused mostly on conditional cash transfers and subsidies.
“I was expecting the SONA to have a plan for poverty mediation… People are asking, why are the current measures only for the short term?” Copuyoc said.
However, Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL) President Alvin Yllana is holding off judgment for now. “I would let [his projects] develop before I can say if it’s good or bad… You can’t tell yet if the plans are actually long term.”
“Supplement the basic framework”
In his recent State of the Nation Address, Aquino repeatedly used the wang-wang metaphor. “For the longest time, the wang-wang has been a symbol of abuse of authority,” he said in Filipino.
Political Science Department Chairperson Alma Maria Salvador, Ph.D., said Aquino’s focus on the anti-wang-wang policy is not enough, adding that it alone could not put together the other aspects of his platform for governance.
She also felt that as a leader, Aquino was indecisive and lacked competency, citing situations such as the Manila bus hostage taking crisis to be demonstrative of this.
Although Aquino is projected to be a president for the masses—backed by his popular use of Filipino in his speeches—Salvador does not think his use of the vernacular during the SONA was of great significance.
“I wasn’t sure if that was the right way of connecting,” she said. “You don’t necessarily have to connect to the ordinary person by resorting to an extreme [way of speaking].”
Despite this, she commended Aquino for expanding the powers of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and for appointing Leila de Lima as justice secretary. De Lima has been widely lauded due to her track record in the Commission on Human Rights.
Stage-setting
While most Filipinos are getting impatient with the seeming lack of results from the Aquino administration, University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ thinks it’s still early for judgment.
“When I was in Xavier University, it took me six years to build my team. I know how difficult it is,” he said.
In terms of accomplishments, Villarin said that there’s “nothing much on the surface,” but he believes that Aquino should work on communicating the foundation-setting that he has been doing.
“Right now, from what I see, he is on the right track,” Villarin said. “What he’s doing is actually setting the stage… and that will take a while. Building an institution is not an easy job.”
Villarin added that he places value on Aquino’s motivation. “I do not doubt his integrity and sincerity. I think [that] in many decisions that he has to make, he always factors in the welfare of the poor.”
Nevertheless, Villarin said the president should work hard in addressing rumored internal conflicts within his administration, and in properly executing his projects. He added that Aquino’s success would be better judged at midterm to see if he had been stalling in his promises.
Villarin also said that Aquino should be careful in making his mark as president. “He has to choose where he will make the intervention that will actually set things in motion.”
