Originally published in the Manila Bulletin on 10 July 2005 at a time of political turmoil in the Philippines. The first of two parts on Philippine Leadership and Reforms.
The article stresses that the political situation and personalities are secondary to the more pressing need to continue with economic reforms. The Philippine leader is also not merely the leader of the Country, but needs to earn leadership of the Global Filipino Nation, which includes the global Filipino diaspora, wherever they may be.
Authored by Alex Timbol/Maccess Corporation
Consumers' Post
Ethel Timbol
The Reforms must Continue
That so many influential and credible individuals, previously willing to wait out this crisis, would call for PGMAs (Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) resignation has caught many by surprise. Yet, in this time of rapidly moving events, it is easy to lose sight of the road we need to take as a nation.
Nowhere among the reasons put forth for PGMAs resignation are the fiscal, economic, and policy reforms put forth under her administration.
That we need these reforms is beyond debate. That their current proponent, PGMA, is entangled in a crisis, does not mean that we should not pursue these reforms.
The Philippines still continues to be the sick man of Asia. We have too much debt from a government that is perpetually in deficit, too many poor people from an economic structure that fails to provide an equality of opportunity, and the crime rate is alarming.
Nor will it matter who implements these policies. Whether or not it is PGMA or the next President, whenever that may be.
The reforms needed have been pretty much agreed upon. Eliminate the budget deficit. Streamline the bureaucracy. Devolve power to local governments. Liberalize the economy.
Provide equality of opportunities. Guarantee free and fair elections. Assure peace and order, while protecting the exercise of Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
Various groups have made it clear: Follow the constitutional succession. No martial law, no coup d'etats, no people power revolts.
That means the Vice President becomes President should PGMA resign. Mr. Noli de Castro would do well to keep in mind that he is the successor because, and only because, he is the current Vice President.
He should seamlessly continue the business of government, and appoint the best Cabinet he can find.
Doing his best to keep the next elections free, fair and beyond reproach would also be a good idea.
We applaud the military and Chief of Staff Efren Abu for reaffirming their loyalty to the Constitution amidst this crisis. We are confident that they will uphold their pledges to preserve the Institutions of the Republic.
Protect us, the people, from any destabilization efforts and grabs for power, yet understand our need to peacefully express our constitutional rights within the political framework.
The Presidency is not the most powerful position in the land.
That power belongs to the people and the Filipino nation, wherever we may be. What the Presidency really is, is the position with the most responsibility:
The responsibility to effectively manage the business of government, and to pursue the reforms so badly needed, and to provide the opportunities we need to fulfill our potential as a global nation.
