Noynoy has the political will

As Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III gets sworn in on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, as the 15^th president of the Republic of the Philippines, the nation would like to believe that here, at last, is the man who would emancipate the poor masses from the bondage of hunger, poverty and disease, liberate the people from the throes of greed and corruption perpetrated by those voted into public office and turn around this country toward peace, stability and prosperity.

Noynoy’s overwhelming win in the elections is the result of the distressing cry by many Filipinos that change has to happen in the character of our leaders and public officials and in their governance if this country has to move forward.

If, indeed, he is the son of his illustrious and martyred father, Ninoy, and venerable and pious mother, Cory, both heroes in their own time and in the eyes of many, then Nonoy understands what is gravely wrong with this country and what it takes to make it right.

It is often said that a six-year term presidency is too long for a bad leader and too short for a good one.

With the enormous problems being inherited by the incoming administration, which to name a few are the widespread corruption, the budget deficit by the trillions of pesos, massive unemployment, poverty, peace and order, especially in Mindanao, and population explosion, surely Noynoy will have his hands full.

Six years may not be enough to resolve these problems, all of which seem to be endemic in our presidential system of government, but having been part of history and having an honorable legacy to uphold, it could be possible, if not plausible, for change to happen.

Noynoy admitted that he could not do it alone. This we appreciate.

But, it would be more appreciated if the people, most especially those in the opposition, could grant him the liberty to choose and decide whomsoever he wants to be members of his cabinet and other important positions in government.

Let us avoid targeting down immediately at something that he is creating around him to effect the changes he wants done just because it runs counter to ones ideas.

This is his time. It could be ours, too, to benefit, if everybody gives him the chance.

One thing going for Noynoy is that he has his siblings, who certainly will not be interfering in the affairs of the nation, but who undeniably and definitely will ensure that Noynoy will serve the Filipino people with all his might and with all his strength, as his late father counseled him to do.

For this alone we should all be hopeful that even if the nation’s problems will not be resolved completely during Noynoy’s term of office, at least we shall have seen that the changes have been started towards the right direction and that it could be done if the political will to do it is there.

It is believed that Noynoy has this political will. Sustaining this political will shall see us through.

Lessons to be learned from the Haiti quake

We have all seen the devastation and death wrought by the 7.0 intensity earthquake in Haiti in January of this year.

We felt our heart wringed and our emotions drained at the destruction and high human cost especially knowing that among the casualties were Filipino members of the U.N. peace keeping force and a number of own overseas Filipino workers.

What lessons, then, can an equally poor country like the Philippines, learn from Haiti’s horrific disaster?  How can we avert such enormous cost of lives and properties?

While we may not be able to foretell the epicenter of an earthquake nor foresee its intensity, the grim reality is that if the shifting of the earth’s crust happens near highly urbanized area or in densely populated environment, then death toll, injury and loss of property are always expected to be high.

This condition can worsen if the buildings are poorly constructed with the use of inferior or below-standard materials and there is found to be laxity on the part of government in monitoring that building codes are strictly adhered to.

For a country to be poor, is bad, but for one to be poor and corrupt, is even worse. Any force of nature can be devastating and when coupled with the unscrupulousness and greed of man, it becomes a disaster of unequal proportion.

Such is what happened to Haiti and it could very well happen to us, God forbids, if our own government won’t change its ways.

It’s about time government should stump corruption in its own backyard so they can be an example and be able to run after the corrupt in any sector our society.

It’s about time government makes sure laws, rules and regulations are to be followed and woe to those who violates them.

It’s about time government gets serious in establishing and sustaining peace and order in every region of this country so that people will cease migrating to already crowded cities.

It’s about time government must show a real semblance of political maturity and economic stability to offer an environment friendly to the investors, both local and foreign.

It’s about time officials of government become servants of people, as they are wont to be known, instead of continuing serving mammon to the disadvantage of our nation.