Sources: gov.ph, president.gov.ph, inquirer.net, pcp.org.ph, goodnewspilipinas.com, gmanetwork.com
After the 2010 Philippine presidential elections, Noynoy Aquino made a social contract with the populace. He promised several reforms in areas such as leadership, economy, peace and order, gender equality, environment and government service. With the Aquino administration now at the halfway point of its term, we can evaluate whether or not the President has kept his word.
| Topic in Social Contract | Promise | What has been done |
| Transformational Leadership | The President promised that the administration would transform leadership in the Philippines, specifically with regard to the problem of corruption. He has been promoting his leadership as one that is for the tuwid na daan (straight path). He also put emphasis on the failing education system and exclusive health care benefits. | The President has been very aggressive in combating corruption. High profile cases such as the one against former Chief Justice Corona is an example. The administration has been diligently pursuing a solution to education, namely the K-12. There were gains from the health care system but there is still much to be done. The PhilHealth Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care) program, contrary to its title, is still not available to everyone; critical health services remain unavailable to many. |
| Economy | The administration promised stronger public-private partnerships, more opportunities that cater to the marginalized and better treatment as regards the recognition of farms and rural enterprises. It also promised the betterment of local working conditions so as to dissuade the local workforce from going abroad. | The administration has cultivated a more welcoming image to investors, allowing the Philippines to reach investment grade status for two rating agencies. However, the government’s actions in places such as Casiguran, where the marginalized are displaced, means that some promises were not kept. |
| Government service | The administration promised that the appointment of government positions would be judged mainly on politicians’ performance and integrity in serving the people. | The President has been maintaining this process, appointing judicial members such as current Chief Justice Sereno and removing any midnight appointments made by the previous administration. |
| Gender equality | The President promised the increased promotion of equal gender opportunities in all policies and programs. | Along with supporting laws such as the Magna Carta for Women, the administration has implemented several new policies such as Memorandum Circular No. 48, which directs government agencies to adopt gender equality guidelines. The World Bank has also recognized the country as “a world leader in gender equality.” |
| Peace and order | The government promised to actively pursue a peace agreement with the Muslims of Mindanao. | As of July 7, 2013, [AL1] the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are still at a deadlock, inhibiting any potential peace talks. |
| Environment | The government promised greater impetus for the advancement of sustainable environment management and urban planning. | While there has been greater recognition of environmental causes, it remains to be seen whether or not the government is practicing sustainable environmental management. Several issues such as the Tubbataha Reef incident, where a United States ship crashed into the protected reef, have yet to be resolved, meaning there is still much that can be done. |
[AL1]To be updated
