from Editorial (Manila Standard Today) Jan 14, 2010
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/sectionOpinion.htm?f=2010/january/14/editorial.isx&d=2010/january/14
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/sectionOpinion.htm?f=2010/january/14/editorial.isx&d=2010/january/14
Senator Benigno Aquino III has had a lot of things going for him. He served for three terms at the House of Representatives and did well in the last senatorial elections. He became the standard bearer of the Liberal Party, bumping off Senator Mar Roxas, even as he mourned the death of his mother. Now he is topping poll surveys.
None of these accomplishments are based on what Mr. Aquino has consciously done. All of them are due to the sheer accident of his being born into a prominent family. It’s a trite argument, his handlers say, but it’s also a recurring—and disturbing—one, especially when you are talking of the demands of the presidency.
Aquino has all the time to show the country he is worthy of his instant rise to fame, that he is not a mere stooge of the real decision-makers in his party, that he will make a good chief executive and that he will not panic in the face of the country’s problems.
But if we go by his recent actions, we do not have much reason to start believing in the senator. Aquino’s performance in a presidential forum held over the weekend tells us he does not know how to handle adverse opinion. It reveals his tendency to be haughty and childish—and wander dangerously off-topic once he must address issues not covered by his prepared statements.
Today he has the chance to redeem himself, but Aquino has reportedly declined the invitation to participate in the Carlos Romulo Foundation Presidential Policy Debate. The event seeks candidates’ policy responses on five main issues: peace in Mindanao, foreign relations and international security, the economy and international economic relations, migrant workers and competitiveness.
The senator’s handlers may be relieved that their candidate will skip the opportunity to embarrass himself this time. The public, however, will always remember the ones who chicken out.
Aquino’s absence will be his loss. His closest opponent, Senator Manny Villar, has apparently shed his fear of debates and has agreed to show up. We can imagine what even a mediocre performance by Villar would do to the narrowing gap between the two frontrunners.
Worse, the public will be deprived of the opportunity to hear how exactly those applying for the job intend to address the country’s ills.
This debate’s theme is “Philippine Credibility and Competitiveness in the World.” Aquino is still struggling with his own. Fortunately for the public, which is beginning to see through him, there is still time to think things through.
None of these accomplishments are based on what Mr. Aquino has consciously done. All of them are due to the sheer accident of his being born into a prominent family. It’s a trite argument, his handlers say, but it’s also a recurring—and disturbing—one, especially when you are talking of the demands of the presidency.
Aquino has all the time to show the country he is worthy of his instant rise to fame, that he is not a mere stooge of the real decision-makers in his party, that he will make a good chief executive and that he will not panic in the face of the country’s problems.
But if we go by his recent actions, we do not have much reason to start believing in the senator. Aquino’s performance in a presidential forum held over the weekend tells us he does not know how to handle adverse opinion. It reveals his tendency to be haughty and childish—and wander dangerously off-topic once he must address issues not covered by his prepared statements.
Today he has the chance to redeem himself, but Aquino has reportedly declined the invitation to participate in the Carlos Romulo Foundation Presidential Policy Debate. The event seeks candidates’ policy responses on five main issues: peace in Mindanao, foreign relations and international security, the economy and international economic relations, migrant workers and competitiveness.
The senator’s handlers may be relieved that their candidate will skip the opportunity to embarrass himself this time. The public, however, will always remember the ones who chicken out.
Aquino’s absence will be his loss. His closest opponent, Senator Manny Villar, has apparently shed his fear of debates and has agreed to show up. We can imagine what even a mediocre performance by Villar would do to the narrowing gap between the two frontrunners.
Worse, the public will be deprived of the opportunity to hear how exactly those applying for the job intend to address the country’s ills.
This debate’s theme is “Philippine Credibility and Competitiveness in the World.” Aquino is still struggling with his own. Fortunately for the public, which is beginning to see through him, there is still time to think things through.
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