"Nobody controls me. Nobody can influence me much as myself in making personal decisions. I know the consequences of my decisions. I'm ready to face the world regardless if the decisions I make will personally be acceptable to you or not"
Perhaps being outspoken both has its pro's and con's. Some may like what you say, and some may not. At the end of the day, you have to respect their opinion and what you can only do is to provide further clarification on your chosen stand.
Its been 4 months since the Elections, and I must say some are still in election mode. The government is still in election mode, when it comes to delivering the promises to our people. Now is the time we must already be seeing manifestations of the reforms the Aquino campaign vowed to bring to our people. However, it seems that most of the factions in the Aquino administration are busy protecting their own turfs, with several sides trying to outdo themselves in terms of claiming whose got the most power in the current government.
THE MEDIA PRESIDENT
A problem that I see is that PNoy has been trying to impress too much on the media. But while the intent maybe good in terms of transparency, he has submitted himself to his weakness, of being grossly insensitive with such worded statements that are not representative of the rightful diplomacy a President should possess. Quoting him, he mentioned in one of his speeches:
“Our problems now, in two or three years we can say that they are laughable when we recall that they were not that grave.”
This was a statement made a few days after the Hong Kong incident, with the knowledge that the eyes of the international media is still on us, and any move he will be making will be tightly monitored by the foreign press. He maybe taken out of context, just like his occassional smiles during the onslaught of the Hostage taking incident, and others might interpret it that the killing of foreign nationals in 2 to 3 years time will be a laughing stock to all of us.
The President has to make full use of his spokespersons to communicate whatever plans he has, or whatever intentions this government may have on several pressing issues. Knowing his weaknesses, his media people should also protect him from further scrutiny, by not allowing too many ambush interviews which may catch PNoy off-guard.
The President's image has to be protected. He knows he does not speak so promisingly well. He knows his controversial statements would sound bad to the ears of his own supporters and pleasing to the eardrums of the oppositionists. He must act with more wisdom and strategic vision.
THE AQUINO SUPPORTERS
I have nothing against those who campaigned for PNoy during the elections, because that is the kind of freewill that democratic exercise will allow. In fact, it is one way of showing citizen participation, which is crucial in a growing democracy.
What I hate now about these people is their outright disowning of their support, given their demands were not immediately met. Most of the noisy groups have even gone as far as threatening the President of their withdrawal of support once these things are not immediately resolved.
You were the ones responsible in bringing him to the Presidency, and now you disown him because he has not acted right away or does not agree with you on a single or a few issues? This is a classic example of betrayal, and never going to be an act of nationalism or for the country's sake. You rode with him in the wave of popularity, and now leaving him at a time when his administration is going through a tough situation.
I suggest that PNoy supporters take the example of Juana Change, who criticized the President, but made sure her support is still with him. You were the ones who installed him, and now, you have to take the lead in making him accountable utmostly to your votes. Don't try to pass the blame to us who did not vote for him to take the lead, because that is a responsibility that is inherent in your expression of support.
You campaigned for a message of change, and change did not stop in the transition of power. Your role has only begun. The responsibility of changing this country never stopped when Aquino was installed as President, and you know that.
THE AQUINO OPPOSITIONISTS
There has been so much goodwill to this administration, that only a few, and I mean one or two in the senate, are actually in the minority. If you want change too, change the faces of those who represent the alternative of this government. Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is NOT a NEW FACE of CHANGE, and in fact, is being riddled also with issues of corruption on her own. I will agree that the previous President had done so many good things for the country, in terms of managing the economy, but you said it yourselves that you wanted to have change, and change is not best represented by CGMA.
Perhaps, the busiest critiques of the current administration would have to be the Greenies, whose support remain with Gilbert Teodoro. The question is, where is Gibo Teodoro in the midst of all of this? That I will not attempt to answer.
It is but normal to criticize the current administration, but what alternatives do we intend to push forward? Do we rely on the old vanguards whom some of us criticized in the past, to do the job for us?
This Opposition has to be progressive, and while it may have a leeway of criticizing the current administration, it must offer sound alternatives being brought to the fold by more credible people who best represesnt the change oppositionists want for the country. There is no use in bringing back old names if it would create divisiveness amongst our countrymen. We must offer NEW alternatives, not OLD ones.
TO ALL OF US
We all have a country to run, despite our roles in the political system. The President has the mandate to govern over a greater constituency, but that does not mean people in the opposing side will not have a constituency of support from communities it has attracted because of the noble idea it brought to the system.
The Idea of Nation Building is not solely confined in Malacanang, but those in Malacanang must see to it that it serves all colors, whether you're green, orange, red or even yellow. President Aquino, you are no longer President of the Yellow Army, but the President of the Philippines, including the Red, Blue and White. All of your actions do not affect only your supporters, but even all of us who did not support your candidacy. You can never earn our trust by mere projection. Earn it by dealing with our criticism in the most professional, diplomatic way you can.
To the oppositionists, let us not be reduced to name calling or branding, because that gets us nowhere. Yes, we can ventilate, express that, but if the action becomes a habit already, then that is not a practice of responsible democracy. We have a role to play in this society, regardless if we don't have the veneer of a government position to do something. We have to find our niche in society, and play our roles responsibly well. We cannot just be a replicate of the previous opposition that did nothing but destroy the Arroyo administration's image. We must push forward alternatives that would help people, not help those who are willing to take advantage of the situation.
This country is ours to run, may it be through our simple expression of support or criticism, through the responsibility we place tou ourselves for our country, through the fostering and caring of all ethnicities in the country, through the love we display for our communities and families, through the belief we have in ourselves that we can do something for this country. Let us not ruin the country's image because of our disappointment towards the failure of the current administration, and instead, help in the building up of the Philippines, regardless if Government helps us in turn or not.
Its been 4 months since the Elections, and I must say some are still in election mode. The government is still in election mode, when it comes to delivering the promises to our people. Now is the time we must already be seeing manifestations of the reforms the Aquino campaign vowed to bring to our people. However, it seems that most of the factions in the Aquino administration are busy protecting their own turfs, with several sides trying to outdo themselves in terms of claiming whose got the most power in the current government.
THE MEDIA PRESIDENT
A problem that I see is that PNoy has been trying to impress too much on the media. But while the intent maybe good in terms of transparency, he has submitted himself to his weakness, of being grossly insensitive with such worded statements that are not representative of the rightful diplomacy a President should possess. Quoting him, he mentioned in one of his speeches:
“Our problems now, in two or three years we can say that they are laughable when we recall that they were not that grave.”
This was a statement made a few days after the Hong Kong incident, with the knowledge that the eyes of the international media is still on us, and any move he will be making will be tightly monitored by the foreign press. He maybe taken out of context, just like his occassional smiles during the onslaught of the Hostage taking incident, and others might interpret it that the killing of foreign nationals in 2 to 3 years time will be a laughing stock to all of us.
The President has to make full use of his spokespersons to communicate whatever plans he has, or whatever intentions this government may have on several pressing issues. Knowing his weaknesses, his media people should also protect him from further scrutiny, by not allowing too many ambush interviews which may catch PNoy off-guard.
The President's image has to be protected. He knows he does not speak so promisingly well. He knows his controversial statements would sound bad to the ears of his own supporters and pleasing to the eardrums of the oppositionists. He must act with more wisdom and strategic vision.
THE AQUINO SUPPORTERS
I have nothing against those who campaigned for PNoy during the elections, because that is the kind of freewill that democratic exercise will allow. In fact, it is one way of showing citizen participation, which is crucial in a growing democracy.
What I hate now about these people is their outright disowning of their support, given their demands were not immediately met. Most of the noisy groups have even gone as far as threatening the President of their withdrawal of support once these things are not immediately resolved.
You were the ones responsible in bringing him to the Presidency, and now you disown him because he has not acted right away or does not agree with you on a single or a few issues? This is a classic example of betrayal, and never going to be an act of nationalism or for the country's sake. You rode with him in the wave of popularity, and now leaving him at a time when his administration is going through a tough situation.
I suggest that PNoy supporters take the example of Juana Change, who criticized the President, but made sure her support is still with him. You were the ones who installed him, and now, you have to take the lead in making him accountable utmostly to your votes. Don't try to pass the blame to us who did not vote for him to take the lead, because that is a responsibility that is inherent in your expression of support.
You campaigned for a message of change, and change did not stop in the transition of power. Your role has only begun. The responsibility of changing this country never stopped when Aquino was installed as President, and you know that.
THE AQUINO OPPOSITIONISTS
There has been so much goodwill to this administration, that only a few, and I mean one or two in the senate, are actually in the minority. If you want change too, change the faces of those who represent the alternative of this government. Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is NOT a NEW FACE of CHANGE, and in fact, is being riddled also with issues of corruption on her own. I will agree that the previous President had done so many good things for the country, in terms of managing the economy, but you said it yourselves that you wanted to have change, and change is not best represented by CGMA.
Perhaps, the busiest critiques of the current administration would have to be the Greenies, whose support remain with Gilbert Teodoro. The question is, where is Gibo Teodoro in the midst of all of this? That I will not attempt to answer.
It is but normal to criticize the current administration, but what alternatives do we intend to push forward? Do we rely on the old vanguards whom some of us criticized in the past, to do the job for us?
This Opposition has to be progressive, and while it may have a leeway of criticizing the current administration, it must offer sound alternatives being brought to the fold by more credible people who best represesnt the change oppositionists want for the country. There is no use in bringing back old names if it would create divisiveness amongst our countrymen. We must offer NEW alternatives, not OLD ones.
TO ALL OF US
We all have a country to run, despite our roles in the political system. The President has the mandate to govern over a greater constituency, but that does not mean people in the opposing side will not have a constituency of support from communities it has attracted because of the noble idea it brought to the system.
The Idea of Nation Building is not solely confined in Malacanang, but those in Malacanang must see to it that it serves all colors, whether you're green, orange, red or even yellow. President Aquino, you are no longer President of the Yellow Army, but the President of the Philippines, including the Red, Blue and White. All of your actions do not affect only your supporters, but even all of us who did not support your candidacy. You can never earn our trust by mere projection. Earn it by dealing with our criticism in the most professional, diplomatic way you can.
To the oppositionists, let us not be reduced to name calling or branding, because that gets us nowhere. Yes, we can ventilate, express that, but if the action becomes a habit already, then that is not a practice of responsible democracy. We have a role to play in this society, regardless if we don't have the veneer of a government position to do something. We have to find our niche in society, and play our roles responsibly well. We cannot just be a replicate of the previous opposition that did nothing but destroy the Arroyo administration's image. We must push forward alternatives that would help people, not help those who are willing to take advantage of the situation.
This country is ours to run, may it be through our simple expression of support or criticism, through the responsibility we place tou ourselves for our country, through the fostering and caring of all ethnicities in the country, through the love we display for our communities and families, through the belief we have in ourselves that we can do something for this country. Let us not ruin the country's image because of our disappointment towards the failure of the current administration, and instead, help in the building up of the Philippines, regardless if Government helps us in turn or not.
"This country is our responsibility. Let us be responsible for it."
My name is Aaron Benedict De Leon, not speaking for any other person, but myself.
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