Forecasting the New Presidency
By Joanne de Lara
July 11, 2010As of this writing, a myriad of feedbacks and analyses on Aquino’s inaugural speech last June 30 have flooded the papers and the world-wide web. Depending on where these reactors come from, the statement of the 15th President of the Philippines may be viewed with utmost optimism or with grim dejection.
True enough, Aquino’s speech lacks the substance of genuine change. He never touched on agrarian reform or human rights violations. He also failed to elaborate on the means by which his administration could attract investments and address unemployment. Aquino likewise failed to elucidate the real score between US-Philippine relations. His well-applauded “walang wangwang, walang counterflow” rhetoric was deemed insufficient in the absence of a plan that has terrorized Metro Manila’s roads for decades.
Yet, viewing things in another perspective, it would not be fair to judge the man merely through a 20-minute speech. “Perhaps we should give the man a chance,” some have said. And assuming that Charter Change or Martial Law would not come into the picture, the Aquino administration shall last for six years and this time period is way too long to be prejudged on the basis of an inaugural speech.
The words which were broadcast last June 30 could be seen as a mere prelude to what has yet to unfold after the nine-year reign of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. For the optimistic ones, there is still a chance, although very little as it may seem, can escape the quicksand of political and economic deterioration. As for others, the change that the masses aspire is still far from being reachable with Aquino as the president. The true challenge therefore is for Aquino to prove himself worthy of all the support he had mustered and for him to gain the trust of all the other people who distrusts him.
Whatever views one may have with regard to Noynoy Aquino’s inaugural speech, the real dilemma lies in what actions the President will take in the long run. Would he be distributing Hacienda Luisita to the farmers as he had promised during his campaign? Would corruption be at least leveled down? Would his administration imprison Arroyo once proven guilty? Would the Aquino administration be non-partisan?
The answers to all of our questions are still blurred as of now. Neither his campaign rhetoric nor his inaugural speech could bring about the things that this country needs. Rather, the edifice of positive change the he would be building along the way shall be the major deciding factor. At the end of the day, the fate of this poverty-stricken country will not depend on what we heard but rather on what we will see.