Ramos takes swipe at admin officials

Gilbert Bayoran

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

If this administration wants to fast-track development, they should plan it not just for 6 years, Ramos says

Former President Fidel V. Ramos. File photo by Ahmad Yusni/EPA

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Without naming names, former President Fidel V. Ramos took a swipe Friday, October 18, at some officials of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

If this administration wants to fast-track development, they should plan it not just for 6 years, Ramos said, when asked about the use of the multi-billion peso Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to accelerate development spending, which some describe as unconstitutional.

“You must not look at the very narrow short range of 6 years, which is the term of the president, you must plan for one whole generation,” Ramos said.

Ramos was in Negros Occidental Friday, where he led the inauguration of a 1.7-kilometer zip line in Bgy Igmayaan in Don Salvador Benedicto, after a fellowship breakfast with Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who had earlier justified the use of DAP to spur government spending, said the government could not afford to do away with it.

As explained by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Drilon said that the purpose of the DAP was to start spending “appropriations which are not being spent.”

Narrow-minded

When asked about his rating of the Aquino administration from a scale of one to 10, Ramos said, “What is difficult is that some of us are narrow-minded.”

The former president admitted that corruption cannot be wiped out in the government, “but we can moderate it,” citing the use of Pagcor and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds, among other contingencies.

He said they should not be abused by those in power.

Ramos also stressed the need for teamwork in nation-building. He said the Philippines ranked 114th among 185 countries in human development, which measures poverty and health, among others, as reported by the United Nations last year – a far cry from its 70 rank 15 years ago.

“Let’s not allow it to happen. We can do better,” Ramos said, adding that it will serve as a challenge to all Filipinos.

“We must aspire for higher positions in the community of nations,” he added.

His comment comes as the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed an increase in the dissatisfaction of Filipinos in the current administration’s performance.

Another survey, this time by Pulse Asia, revealed a big majority of Filipinos believe that pork barrel misuse continues under the Aquino administration.

Ramos also recently criticized the government’s handling of the Zamboanga conflict, saying it failed to implement the 1996 PH-MNLF peace accord despite it being handled to the current government “on a silver platter.”  – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!