Experts weigh-in on Aquino's Cabinet picks
MANILA, Philippines - With President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino's choices for his official family, experts believe he's off to a good start. (Click here for list of Cabinet members.)
"There are outstanding picks in the cabinet," says Tony La Viña, dean of the Ateneo School of Government. He cites Leila de Lima's designation to the justice portfolio, and Teresita "Ging" Deles as presidential adviser on the peace process among praiseworthy appointments.
While convinced the Cabinet choices are prepared for the task at hand, Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER), believes there are a few hits and misses.
"Secretary-designate Rosalinda Baldoz (who was at the helm of the POEA) is a good choice," Casiple says. "We need someone who understands OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] and will champion them, understands the needs of employment in the country to have a more strategic OFW strategy."
An appointment to the Bureau of Customs has yet to be made but, Casiple admits, Guillermo Parayno's name being floated in the past as a possible nominee had come as a surprise.
"The Bureau of Customs needs a new face. You don't want somebody there who's been there. That would be one area where you can make a dramatic change like BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue]," he says.
Aquino has named Kim Henares commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Casiple also voiced reservation over the appointment of Rene Almendras as energy secretary, and possible room for controversy arising from his as well as other appointments who may have vested interest or political loyalties.
"It could've been better," Casiple says of the Cabinet line-up. "Some of them seem temporary- or continuity-appointments. I would agree these are competent people, but it remains to be seen how they will implement the programs of the new president."
He adds time will tell whether all Cabinet choices will be good at their jobs.
Davide and 'truth commission'
Despite former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide's sterling track record, Casiple says, his appointment to head the "truth commission" will also be closely followed.
"The issues of closeness between Davide and [President] Arroyo will be brought up. His actions with regard to Arroyo will be scrutinized by critics, and that's the unfortunate part of it," he says.
Amid questions over whether Davide's posting in the United Nations may cast some doubt on how he will conduct his investigations, La Viña believes, Davide's well-known impartiality will speak for him.
Mrs. Arroyo appointed Davide as the Philippines Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2005 after he retired from the Supreme Court.
"Chief Justice Davide has a long history of impartiality, a long history of being very objective regardless of political considerations," La Viña says. "Chief Justice Davide will follow the evidence. If there's no evidence against President Arroyo, there will be no case."
The DILG controversy
La Viña notes there is a need to fill gaps in the Aquino Cabinet, including the Interior and Local Government portfolio for which Aquino is considering three options. whose names he has not disclosed.
La Viña and Casiple agree Aquino should not hold the politically-sensitive position for long.
"I don't think the President-elect can do the job and should do the job. President-elect Aquino knows the importance of local governments very much, and I'm sure he will fill it with the right person when he finally makes that decision," La Viña says.
Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, who has served the local government for 18 years, is said to be the one being eyed for the post. La Viña and Casiple, however, believe that despite his [Robredo's] reputation for being an anti-corruption advocate, the job might come at a political cost.
"If he's the one appointed, he will be holding a position where he will deal with one of the most corrupt positions in government," Casiple says. "It might be too sensitive. He might go into controversies that the President wouldn't want to be burdened with at this time."
Professional or political choices?
Amid questions over the Cabinet make-up, La Viña believes, while members of the Aquino Cabinet supported his campaign, their inclusion in his official family was a professional rather than political decision.
"I think it was more the relationship with the President that counted most. I think political considerations were probably there all the time but it was not the overriding consideration," La Viña says. "The Hyatt 10 people are there on their own merits rather than because they were Hyatt 10 or the group of Senator Mar Roxas."
Casiple adds, in making an independent decision, Aquino may have tried to strike a balance with his chosen appointments.
"I think he's trying to have a balance of competent people, people who share ideas with him and also making sure allies are satisfied with the choices."
Urgent reforms
With various problems facing the incoming Aquino government, La Viña and Casiple believe, incoming Cabinet members are in for the challenge of their lives-- to help Aquino deliver urgent reforms that Filipinos desperately yearn for.
"It's a thankless job, so at the initial stage where they start to work, we should support them," La Viña says. "It's going to be difficult. There's a deficit, a very big one that's looming. They won't have resources, they'll be looked up with very high standards. There's no appetite, no tolerance for corruption and incompetence with this Cabinet. I will not abandon them, but there is no tolerance for incompetence and no tolerance for corruption. We should support them as long as they do their jobs well."
"We should give them a very long rope to work with," Casiple says. "We are coming from a situation of a very politicized citizenry, and we have these major corruption cases, major problems the Cabinet has to attend to and they need all the support. The first thing we have to do is dampen our expectations."
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SAD FAREWELL FROM THE HERO TO HIS ONLY SON
LIHAM NI NINOY KAY NOYNOY
August 25, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
11:30pm
Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III
P E R S O N A L
My dearest Son:
One of these days , when you have completed your studies I am sure you will have the opportunity to visit many countries. And in your travels you will witness a bullfight.
In Spanish bullfighting as you know, a man – the matador – is pitted against an angry bull.
The man goads the bull to extreme anger and madness. Then a moment comes when the bull, maddened, bleeding and covered with darts, feeling his last moment has come, stops rushing about and grimly turns his face on the man with the scarlet “muleta” and sword. The Spaniards call this “the moment of truth.” This is the climax of the bullfight.
This afternoon, I have arrived at my own moment of truth. After a lengthy conference with my lawyers, Senators Jovito R. Salonga and Lorenzo M. Tanada I made a very crucial and vital decision that will surely affect all our lives: mommie’s, your sisters’, yours and all our loved ones as well as mine.
I have decided not to participate in the proceedings of the Military Commission assigned to try the charges filed against me by the army prosecution staff. As you know, I’ve been charged with illegal possession of firearms, violation of RA 1700 otherwise known as the “Anti-Subversion Act” and murder.
You are still too young to grasp the full impact of my decision. Briefly: by not participating in the proceedings, I will not be represented by counsel, the prosecution will present its witnesses without any cross examinations, I will not put up any defense, I will remain passive and quiet through the entire trial and I will merely await the verdict. Inasmuch as it will be a completely one-sided affair, I suppose it is reasonable to expect the maximum penalty will be given to me. I expect to be sentenced to imprisonment the rest of my natural life, or possibly be sent to stand before a firing squad. By adopting the course of action I decided upon this afternoon, I have literally decided to walk into the very jaws of death.
You may ask: why did you do it?
Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny, as it will surely appear to many, it is my last act of defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.
You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you. I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people.
For this I am very sorry. I had hopes of building a little nest egg for you. I bought a ranch in Masbate in the hope that after ten or fifteen years, the coconut trees I planted there would be yielding enough to assure you a modest but comfortable existence.
Unfortunately, I had to sell all our properties as I fought battle after political battle as a beleaguered member of the opposition. And after the last battle, I had more obligations than assets.
The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather passed it on to me.
I prepared a statement which I intend to read before the military commission on Monday at the opening of my trial. I hope the commission members will be understanding and kind enough to allow me to read my statement into the record. This may well be my first and only participation in the entire proceedings.
In this statement, I said: Some people suggested that I beg for mercy from the present powers that be. Son, this I cannot do in conscience. I would rather die on my feet with honor, than live on bended knees in shame.
Your great grandfather, Gen. Servilliano Aquino was twice condemned to death by both the Spaniards and the American colonizers. Fortunately, he survived both by a twist of fate.
Your grandfather, my father was also imprisoned by the Americans because he loved his people more than the Americans who colonized us. He was finally vindicated. Our ancestors have shared the pains, the sorrows and the anguish of Mother Filipinas when she was in bondage.
It is a rare privilege for me to join the Motherland in the dark dungeon where she was led back by one of her own sons whom she lavished with love and glory.
I ended my statement thus: I have chosen to follow my conscience and accept the tyrant’s revenge.
It takes little effort to stop a tyrant. I have no doubt in the ultimate victory of right over wrong, of evil over good, in the awakening of the Filipino.
Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibility for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.
I was barely fifteen years old when my father died. His death was my most traumatic experience. I loved and hero-worshipped him so much, I wanted to join him in his grave when he passed away. But as in all sorrows, eventually they are washed away by the rains of time.
In the coming years, I hope you will study very hard so that you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future. I may no longer be around to give you my fatherly advice. I have asked many of your uncles to help you along should the need arise and I pray you will have the humility to drink from their fountain of experiences.
Look after your two younger sisters with understanding and affection. Viel and Krissy will need your umbrella of protection for a long time. Krissy is still very young and fate has been most unkind to both of us. Our parting came too soon. Please make up for me. Take care of her as I would have taken care of her with patience and warm affection.
Finally, stand by your mother as she stood beside me through the buffeting winds of crisis and uncertainties firm and resolute and uncowed. I pray to God, you inherit her indomitable spirit and her rare brand of silent courage.
I had hopes of introducing you to my friends, showing you the world and guide you through the maze of survival. I am afraid, you will now have to go it alone without your guide.
The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.
There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.
Son, the ball is now in your hands.
Lovingly,
Dad
I think some of the author's
I think some of the author's explanations above need more research and details. It lacks good explanation.