Emil Juardo: Noynoy’s supposed integrity

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2009/december/17/emiljurado.isx&d=/2009/december/17

Now that Bayani Fernando is no longer chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority because he is running for vice president, his successor at the MMDA should rid Metro Manila's streets of those ugly and putrid pink urinals. These have become a monumental shame and embarrassment for Filipinos.

I must admit that Fernando did many notable things during his stint. He got rid of sidewalk vendors and demolished squatter hovels and shanties. Fernando's method may have been unorthodox, but it did help restore order in the metropolis.

Still, those urinals are a blot to the city. They have become Fernando's shameful legacy.

* * *

The latest poll survey shows Liberal Party standard-bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino maintaining his lead over Nacionalista Party bet former Senate President Manny Villar and other candidates like former President Joseph Estrada, former Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro (the administration's standard-bearer) and Senator Dick Gordon.

While the Comelec gave its nod on the candidacies of Jesus Is Lord Movement head Eddie Villanueva, Senator Jamby Madrigal and Olongapo Councilor JC de los Reyes for the presidency, I don't think these aspirants have any chance of winning.

Noynoy's lead, according to his supporters, is due to the fact that he is seen as a man of integrity, different from his opponents who are traditional politicians, some of whom have been involved in controversies and charged with graft and corruption.

I agree Noynoy is untainted. That's because he did not do anything as congressman and senator. I do not agree, however, that it is synonymous to integrity.

Noynoy's drum beaters always talk about the legacy of the late President Cory Aquino. But what legacy? Are they referring to the Hacienda Luisita and Mendiola massacres, the Kamaganak Inc. scams, the rampant smuggling of BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes at Customs by Mrs. Aquino's relatives, the turnover on a silver platter of the Malampaya project to Shell because of her closeness to a Shell executive; the mothballing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant which led to the 12-hour brownouts during the Ramos incumbency, and many more?

* * *

What this country needs is a President with enough experience and know-how. The challenges we face are daunting.

Certainly, anybody who claims he is "clean" is not good enough.

As I have been saying all along, the presidency is not a training ground for someone whose only qualification is that he is the son of famous parents.

Integrity is not enough. Our problems are too enormous and we need the leadership of somebody with experience and expertise.

* * *

There are significant aspects of the latest poll survey which I believe must be told. One of them is the fact that Villar continues to hold on to second place with a significant rating to challenge Aquino's lead.

People seem to like Villar because he is somebody who knows what it is like to be poor. Thus, his desire to help distressed overseas Filipino workers and struggling entrepreneurs is seen as sincere.

I'd even say that the masa vote is now being shared by former President Joseph Estrada and Villar.

I admire Villar and feel some sort of kinship with him. Like him, I was also born of humble beginning. My parents, through hard work and patience, were able to send us to the best schools. As a result, I have been blessed in so many ways.

Another aspect is the marked improvement of the poll rating of Teodoro, whose ratings doubled. It comes as no surprise, really. Gibo has shown himself a worthy candidate for the presidency with his no-nonsense performance in television debates.

He also does not apologize for the fact that he is with the administration. Gibo is forthright and honest; these qualities should work to his favor.

I have never counted Gibo out of the presidential race in spite of his single-digit ratings. I knew that sooner or later, the more people see and hear him, the more they'll appreciate him. His increasing poll ratings validate that.

* * *

It's unfortunate, though, that Senator Dick Gordon came in late as a presidential candidate. Gordon has the potential of a leader we can believe in. He's eminently qualified and has an excellent track record as chairman/administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. He was an outstanding local executive and is a performing senator. I admire and respect his independence of mind. Indeed, Gordon is a rarity in Philippine politics.

It is too bad that Gordon came in too late, long after other presidential aspirants have made their mark and established their grassroots networking. Gordon may not have enough time to catch up.

As a Senate re-electionist, Dick is a winner. That's for sure. But, in the race for the 2010 presidency, Dick suffers from lack of time and funding, which is a sine qua non in our kind of elections for a national office.

* * *

If the local executives of Basilan province had their way, they would opt for martial law in the wake of lawlessness, kidnappings and acts of terrorism by the Abu Sayyaf.

The situation in that province doesn't yet need martial law to address the peace and order problem. But if the situation in Basilan continues to deteriorate, perhaps government may see it fit to impose an emergency rule like it did originally in Maguindanao. At the moment, however, the military and the police can still manage the situation.

It is my belief that martial law should be used sparingly, and only as a last resort like what happened in Maguindanao. There, the civilian government was unable to operate. If you look hard enough at the multi-faceted aspects of rebellion, it doesn't only occur when there is fighting on the streets as in the movies or when a group challenges the duly-constituted authority like in that Oakwood mutiny.

That's why I subscribe to the basis of martial law in Maguindanao. Only the President can be privy to what's happening on the ground. On the contrary, many of us here in Metro Manila like to pontificate and say what should—or should not—have been done, all from the comfort of our air-conditioned rooms.

My gulay, as the President stated, if martial law were not proclaimed in Maguindanao, civil war could have spilled over to other areas in Mindanao. Mindanaoans know this, and that's why they are generally in favor of martial law.

* * *

There's this disturbing report about a prominent businessman who's in the field of telecommunications, media and information technology products and services.

He was, for several years, the fair-haired boy of a media mogul and was the executive vice president and general manager of a media outfit. That is, until an issue about a loan he made from the company ended up in court.

It appears that this businessman does not care about the bad name and reputation he himself has been creating. Now he is again in trouble regarding the purchase of real estate properties in Southern Luzon.

This businessman is having problems keeping up with his bank payments. And now the Bureau of Internal Revenue may just look into allegations that he has been evading the payment of taxes by not declaring the actual gross price of one of his properties.

My gulay, with the BIR in hot water for failing again to meet its targets, this Harvard Business School-educated businessman just might find himself in the same cauldron as the under-performing government agency!