A Commentary on the Governance of President

Benigno Aquino III

Year 2012 was a bit of a good year for the Philippines,

Economy has been positive which generated more jobs and
industries are lively, Reuters reported that "The Philippine
economy accelerated more than expected in the third quarter,
defying the global downdraft to post the fastest growth in
Southeast Asia, where robust domestic demand and strong
government spending are helping offset export weakness. The
Philippines, once known as "the sick man of Asia", also posted the
second strongest annual economic growth in Asia of 7.1 percent
in the third quarter, lagging only China and outpacing the 6.2
percent expansion of Southeast Asia's biggest economy,
Indonesia". The International community is quite impressed with
the growth of the country in 2012 but is the Governance
impressive? is Malacaang improving? Coming from the surveys
the trust rating of the Aquino Administration is good but the
Filipino people are still smart to notice that the Governance has
not improved and it might have worsened. The President really
not stood up with the election slogan he used "kung walang
corrupt walang mahirap".

Good governance means major achievement of the

government, would it be that their major achievement is
Impeaching a Chief Justice who criticizes them and installing a
new CJ that they can control? Toying with the Judicial Branch is a
serious act and is unacceptable. The supposed re-assigment of
Usec. Puno to the Department of Agriculture, does the President
have any other competent people to be placed as the Head of
DAR? There are DAR employees thats more than qualified to take
the place than the Usec, Obviously he favors those who are close
to him and extends his hand more on the people he can benefit
more. The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement is not the answer
for the war in Mindanao, it will only worsens the status of the
Government vs. the Muslim separatists given the fact that many
of the provisions in the Agreement is favorable to the separatists
than the Government were it should be. The Good Governance
and Anti-Corruption Plan of the Administration is not making any
dent on the famed corruption in our country, statistics still shows
the high level of corruption in our country according to
International reports. The Philippines being ranked as number 34
out of 100 the latter being the cleanest. The Government need to
integrate anti-corruption actions into all public decision-making,
this will make the Government more accountable.

The present Administration has created Philippine

Development Plan which he calls the implementation of the Social
Contract the plan promises that:

1. From a government that merely conjures economic growth

statistics that our people know to be unreal to a government
that prioritizes jobs that empower the people and provide
them with opportunities to rise above poverty
2. From relegating education to just one of many concerns to
making education the central strategy for investing in our
people, reducing poverty and building national
competitiveness
3. From treating health as just another area for political
patronage to recognizing the advancement and protection of
public health, which includes responsible parenthood, as key
measures of good governance
4. From government policies influenced by well-connected
private interests to a leadership that executes all the laws of
the land with impartiality and decisiveness
5. From treating the rural economy as just a source of problems
to recognizing farms and rural enterprises as vital to
achieving food security and more equitable economic
growth, worthy of reinvestment for sustained productivity
 6. From government anti-poverty programs that instill a dole-
out mentality to well-considered programs that build
capacity and create opportunity among the poor and the
marginalized in the country
7. From a government that dampens private initiative and
enterprise to a government that creates conditions
conducive to the growth and competitiveness of private
businesses, big, medium and small
8. From a government that treats its people as an export
commodity and a means to earn foreign exchange,
disregarding the social cost to Filipino families to a
government that creates jobs at home, so that working
abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity; and when its
citizens do choose to become OFWs, their welfare and
protection will be the governments priority.

These are his commitments to the Filipino people which

I think that was not achieved in 2012, especially the part on
OFWs last 2012 numerous were executed in different countries
that dismayed the public. The Administration must strengthen the
ties between Countries to prevent or lessen casualties and
injustices that is being done to our OFWs. In recognizing the
farms and rural enterprises as vital to achieving food security and
more equitable economic growth, worthy of reinvestment for
sustained productivity This statement does not quantify what
has been done in 2012, there are no improvements in the
Agriculture industries worse is that the Hacienda Luisita issue has
not yet been fully resolved.

On a positive note the Administration 2012 was a year

of rebuilding and restoration, the Government has also made
some achievements and initiatives including the passing or the
RH and FOI bill which is favorable to the public. The
implementation of the Sin Tax Law which will help in generating
more income for the Government as well as fostering the health
of the people. International disputes with China was not
heightened by drastic decisions and the Government proved to
have good diplomatic handling on these kinds of issues. Overall
the year 2012 of the Government of PNoy did get a passing mark
but not that overwhelming to put awe on the faces of the public.
There must be more policies to cater to the employment,
agriculture, tourism, national security and the likes on 2013 and
the remaining years that the current Administration will serve.

Submitted by: La Verne Ryan Carlo A. Abad

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