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Saturday, January 28, 2006
Nalzaro: Davide's next important legacy
By Bobby Nalzaro
Hilario Davide Jr., retired from government service with untarnished and unblemished record. Because of his unquestioned integrity, many consider him as the best candidate in the 2010 presidential election.
But those who want him to enter again the complicated and dirty world of politics must move heaven and earth to convince this man, considered as one of Cebu's pride, to do so. Davide, who once held an elective post as an assemblyman, has repeatedly said he will focus his remaining days to farming after retiring as chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Even then, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named Davide presidential adviser on electoral reforms, a move that triggered mixed reactions from those who are close to him and those who are concerned with his integrity.
There are those who welcomed his new role in the Arroyo administration. But others also expressed disappointment over his decision to accept the President’s offer, saying he might just be used to deodorize a government whose legitimacy is being questioned.
Well, we cannot really read the intention of President Arroyo in appointing Davide to the said position. The suspicion of some quarters that Davide might merely be used by the administration to cover up for its failure in instituting the needed reforms could true.
But let us not set aside also the positive view: that Davide may yet be able to fix the defects of and improve our dysfunctional electoral system.
We have been complaining about the defects in the setup, from the outdated voting and counting system to inept and corrupt election officials. Or that politicians blatantly and flagrantly violate election laws because nobody gets punished. That every political exercise is tainted with fraud and that there never has been a really honest and credible election in this country.
That is why we need electoral reforms, and I think Davide will play a vital and crucial role in instituting these.
The President has tasked Davide to come up with recommendations on the matter, although their implementation would largely defend not only on the present dispensation but also on the next administration.
Davide may yet be doing a great service to the Filipino people if he succeeds in reforming our electoral system, just like what he did in the judiciary. That will be his next important legacy.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 28, 2006 issue)
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