PNoy after 2 years: Noynoying?

BENIGNO AQUINO III

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

JUNE 30, 2010 

Ako ang nakikita

Ako ang nasisisi

Ako ang laging may kasalanan 

The song was like an omen of things to come. 

Two years after taking his oath as one of the most popular chief executives, President Aquino draws flak for alleged inaction or what his critics call “Noynoying.” 

With the weight of great expectations, how is the reluctant candidate really faring 24 months into the presidency? 

Akbayan Representative Walden Bello credits Aquino for making good on his promise to fight corruption. 

Aquino pushed for the arrest of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the impeachment of her supposed protectors – former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona. 

REP. WALDEN BELLO

AKBAYAN 

That’s a big achievement and malaking impact iyan eh. There’s going to be an impact on the economy, people’s morale, that an intangible that spreads throughout. I would say that if tuwid na daan meant the priority of the anti-corruption campaign, I think he’s delivered.

But Bello says Aquino’s focus on rooting out corruption may have overshadowed his other commitments. 

Then candidate Aquino vowed to support the Responsible Parenthood and Freedom of Information bills but both are still languishing in Congress.

Bello believes Aquino must call on lawmakers to end the debates and put the issues to a vote. 

Another promise Aquino has yet to fulfill is to ensure access to officials’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. 

REP. WALDEN BELLO

AKBAYAN 

It’s a bit hypocritical if we say that Corona did not file his SALN properly and that he did not make it public and we don’t ourselves do it.

But for Bello and political scientist Edmund Tayao, Aquino’s biggest weakness is his lack of a clear development strategy. 

 

PROF. EDMUND TAYAO

UST POLITICAL SCIENCE 

The vision is more like a clean government, that is the vision but the vision is not complete without a very clear means or road to speak of. How do we get there?

REP. WALDEN BELLO

AKBAYAN 

You can’t just say this is inclusive growth. What does that mean inclusive growth? It’s so simplistic. It’s supposed to make sure that everybody gets included in growth so wala talaga yun because in any development strategy, you have to make certain decisions as to the allocation of resources. 

 

Tayao and Bello say Aquino is not “Noynoying,” but his record so far is mixed at best. 

With 4 years to go, they urge him to work on systemic reforms to ensure that the change he harps on will be realized and continue beyond his term. 

If not he only has himself to blame. 

 

BENIGNO AQUINO III

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

Ako ang nakikita

Ako ang nasisisi

Ako ang laging may kasalanan

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler.

For more on PNoy’s record, read:

• Report card on PNoy: Passing but needs work 
• Act on military abuses, group tells PNoy. – Rappler.com