Senior’s moment and the 2016 PH elections

As an octogenarian who has voted in 9 Philippine presidential elections, allow me my senior’s moment to express my views on the political scene today.

Two days before E-day, in the midst of unceasing radio-TV and social media exhortations to vote for this and that candidate, my friends, colleagues and former students have asked whom I will vote for. Not that it matters, perhaps, but I take to my computer to answer their questions.

First an observation. If you were to believe all the propaganda that has been thrown around by the candidates, you would think that the Philippines is on the brink of collapse or you are on another planet. On the contrary, this shows the vibrancy of our democracy. No one has been jailed for speaking his mind and we can still vote on Monday.

But somehow, election brings out the worst in us. So allow me to put things in perspective. I prefer to look at the glass half-full than half-empty. Let’s start with the President. For all his faults (and there are many), President PNoy has accomplished a number of things.

Most important, in my view, is honest government from the top, which one cannot say of the two administrations before him – one president convicted of plunder but pardoned by his successor, and the other now in jail awaiting trial also for plunder. If the president is corrupt, how can you expect the people under him/her to be honest? Honesty by example is what PNoy has provided.

His administration caused the impeachment of a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, sent 3 senators to prison after plunder charges were filed against them, and his Ombudsman filed dozens of cases against corrupt government officials sending some of them to prison. PNoy’s administration has minimized (not eradicated) “kotong” (bribery) at the national level, particularly in public works, education and civil service. 

A second major achievement of PNoy is the economic turn-around from a sick economy in two previous administrations of Estrada and Arroyo. GDP growth under President PNoy was an average of 6.2% — the highest in 4 decades. 

As a result, the Philippines has been upgraded by Moody’s and other rating agencies to “investment grade” status with a positive outlook, for the first time in history. This achievement in the macro economy, however, needs to be translated to tangible gains in human development at the grassroots level.

To quote economic writers Edsel Tupaz and Daniel Wagner, “There is no question that in just 5 years, Aquino’s accomplishments have exceeded many expectations and have outperformed all previous administrations. In nominal terms, the Philippines is already growing at least 10% year-on-year. Inflation has remained steady and real GDP per capita grew nearly 18% between 2010 and 2014.”

PNoy has been criticized (and rightly so) as being too slow to jumpstart his infrastructure program, being too loyal and unable to fire incompetent friends he has appointed to public office, as lacking in empathy, and for being obstinate in not accepting well-meaning advice. But he is getting out of office in two months, so let’s move on. That’s the beauty of a democracy.

Let’s elect a qualified president in an honest election. Let’s look at those aspiring to be our next leaders.

1. Jejomar Binay. The less said about him the better. He is corrupt, period. He refuses to answer the charges filed against him in the Senate and in the courts.

2. Miriam Santiago. She is sick with cancer. There should be a law requiring medical clearance for anyone to run for public office, especially for office of the President. She will not survive a year in office if elected, and guess who will take over as president? Bongbong Marcos, the son of Martial Law dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Bongbong should first return the $10 billion his father stole from the country in 1972-1986. Granting without admitting that he was a minor and not responsible for the abuses of his father, he is now custodian with his family of the billions that his father and mother stole during those years. Instead of blocking efforts to recover the stolen loot, he should just return it willingly and say sorry.

3. Rodrigo Duterte. I dread to imagine what a Duterte presidency would be like. First day in Malacañang, he probably would come to the office early, and seeing no one around, start his day by calling his aides, shouting, “PI ninyo! Nasaan kayo?” (Sons of bitches. Where are you?)

His next moves would probably be to cut diplomatic ties with Australia and the United States for being critical of him. Just like that, if we were to believe what he said on the campaign trail. 

Then while entertaining his first state visitor, probably North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un, he would introduce his first lady this way: Supreme Leader, may I introduce to you my first lady, my No. 2 kabit (mistress)! The following days Duterte’s police will start picking up drug dealers, drug addicts, rapists, other criminals and make them disappear extrajudicially!

I cannot imagine a Philippine president like that – uncouth, cursing people, shouting expletives as he gives orders to his minions, all day long. Think what a bad example it would give to our youth.

4. Grace Poe. She is graceful and articulate, the opposite of Duterte. She also has a well written platform. She promises government with a heart but that is all – a promise. What qualifications does she have? She has minimal legislative, but no executive experience. She needs seasoning, but she cannot wait. The impression I get is that she is too ambitious.

5. Mar Roxas. The criticisms against Roxas are that he is slow to act and lacks charisma. Granted. But he is honest and has long experience in government. And honesty at the top is crucial. He has also proven his patriotism when he gave way in 2010 to PNoy, even if he was already selected as the Liberal Party candidate for president.

Also, I would rather have an un-colorful president than one who entertains people with dirty jokes and choice expletives. Not prone to blowing his own horn, Roxas has been hailed as the “Father of the Call Center and Business Process Outsourcing Industry.” Mar saw and harnessed the potential of the Philippines as a global e-services hub. He also has shepherded through the Senate the Cheaper Medicines Act, fighting against big business interests, and the Air Passenger Bill of Rights that benefit consumers.

I pray that Filipinos think hard and vote wisely on Monday and may the best man win! – Rappler.com

Dr Crispin Maslog is a former journalist with Agence France-Presse and a retired communication professor from Silliman and UP Los Baños. He is currently chair of the board, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, now based in Manila.