AFTER the 2016 elections, PNoy will be out and gone. We also understand that he does not intend to run as congressman or barangay captain in his town. His “Matuwid na Daan” will become a part of our memory lane, not until his successor will construct “Sobrang Matuwid na Daan.” That could be good.
Other presidents have been remembered also. Manuel Roxas is well remembered for the retention of two U.S. military bases and the granting of parity rights (Filipinos and Americans have equal rights). Elpidio Quirino grants amnesty to the Huks. Ramon Magsaysay is the “most-loved president in Philippine history”. Carlos Garcia adopts the “Filipino First Policy”.
Diosdado Macapagal is responsible for making June 12 Philippine Independence Day (from July 4). Ferdinand Marcos is remembered in history for declaring Martial Law in 1972. Corazon Aquino paves the way for the constitution to replace the 1973 Constitution (Marcos’s tool to affect dictatorial rule).
Fidel Ramos has his “Philippine 2000 Program” aimed to uplift the Philippine into the status of a newly industrialized country by the year 2000. Joseph Estrada is trying to prove that his “Programasa Mahirap” would hit like a movie blockbuster. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is named by The Manila Times (June 8, 2006) “The Best President after Marcos.” She is now facing plunder case. Many remember her as the “Hello Garci” girl. Grace Poe’s father, FPJ, could have told us more.
The Filipino people expect the new president to eliminate drug lords, gambling lords, smuggled goods lords, warlords, and the lords of the organized terror groups in the country. He has to do it fast. We do not want an OJT president at the Palace. We want him to be a risk taker for his people. We cannot afford to wait for another six years. We will be all dead by that time.
The new President should be able to finish the formal protest over China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. If we cannot fight China then let’s have win-win solution not just for China to win in the long run.
The new president should envision how to attain (and also act fast) peace in our islands to safeguard the human rights of our people and to attract investors to do business in our country.
Corrupt public officials should be sent to the gallows. We cannot afford anyone to be instrumental in making our country the corruption capital of the world. We would like to display mummified corrupt leaders to teach the next generation of leaders.
We do not want our new president to be beholden to America (or China or even Taiwan). We want a president who can abandon his seat anytime if he does not deserve the trust and respect of the Filipinos.
The new president should not have just “cute appeal” to please his patrons, sponsors, and the military. We want to see him raise his iron hand to curve the erring generals, to batter the astute businessmen, to defrock corrupt government officials and employees, to expel his lazy cabinet members, and to paddle his buttocks if he misbehaves.
We are going to vote for a serious president who can be consistently consistent in his consistencies. We are not going to create a monster. Monsters in history always devour the people who worship them. Our country does not need a monster today. We got some in the past. They were all monstrous. The new President should be monster-free.