Analysis by Raïssa Robles
The latest survey results have yet to come in, but one thing seems clear: if President Benigno Aquino III were to be unseated from office, people do not want him replaced by his rightful constitutional successor – Vice President Jejomar Binay.
It is the reason, I believe, that efforts to unseat the president have not gotten off the ground.
Even people furious at Aquino for what they think is his thorough mishandling of the Mamasapano tragedy pause when they consider who’ll step up should Aquino step down. The ongoing Senate investigation into Binay’s alleged corruption provided months of jaw-dropping TV revelations to the public, and planted an idea, fair or not, what a Binay presidency might be like.
Granted, Binay has been topping all the polls for the 2016 presidency. Granted, he’s still the highest rating presidential candidate. But none of this has translated into any enthusiastic crowds rushing to plant him in Malacañang to displace Aquino. There has certainly been no lack of coup plots and destabilization attempts. There was supposed to be one last week, and another scheduled for this weekend. Alas, it seems nobody turned up for last week’s event.
Last Monday I waited for a group of Philippine National Police Academy alumni to shave their heads to protest the death of the police commandos during a celebration of the PNP’s 24th anniversary by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). Someone who went to the event told me that it was sparsely attended. And no shaving of the heads took place.
Still, the crisis is not over for Aquino. One more wrong move and his critics might still obtain the warm bodies needed and the military element that continues to elude them. But the plain fact is, one of the things keeping Aquino afloat as President is his very own vice president.
To those who don’t understand why I am comparing Binay to De Castro, please read my hubby Alan’s piece below. Binay is of course much more clever than De Castro but he now performs the same function as De Castro did during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo:
De Castro was –
Gloria’s not-so secret weapon
by Alan Robles
President George Bush senior was often described as “impeachment proof.” The reason? His vice president, Dan Quayle, was a nincompoop. In 1989, during one pre-inauguration briefing, a British journalist actually asked: “is it true that should anything happen to the president, the Secret Service have strict orders to immediately shoot Dan Quayle?”
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would understand. One big factor that has let her hang on to power this long is that she’s got her own sub-caliber human shield – his name is Noli de Castro.
For more than two months now, without doing anything more than be himself, Vice President De Castro has been instrumental in thwarting attempts to unseat President Arroyo. Each time outrage over Mrs. Arroyo’s chicaneries boils over, every time efforts to oust her work up a head of steam, the whole enterprise screeches to an abrupt halt when everyone realizes yet again who it is who’ll take over.
To read the rest, please click on this link.
paul says
The Blue Ribbon Sub-committee ever present Senators should inform the public and media that the private armed groups ( PAG ) involved in the Mamasapano incident are headed by the Ampatuan clan who was involved in the Maguindanao massacre. Most of them esp. the LGU and Mayors belongs to UNA party headed by Di-Makadalo Dinay.
percival says
Yes, this angle should be investigated. The timing and chain of events point to a grand scheme/plot by someone or group.
chit navarro says
Here are 5 reasons why VP Binay is NOT the new Noli de Castro. President Aquino has and is doing a great job as the President of our country and it is his PERFORMANCE PLUS TRANSPARENCY & NO CORRUPTION ISSUE ON HIMSELF that is keeping him safe and secure in the presidential seat in Malacanang.
From Ralph Jennings in Forbes : Five Fail-Proof Engines of Economic Growth (and one Roadblock):
Here are five reasons the Philippine economy will grow:
1. CORRUPTION IS DOWN.
The country known for brazen acts of graft such as a scheme that diverted millions of anti-poverty dollars to legislators has cut back corruption under President Benigno Aquino III. Since he took office in 2010, transparency of government work is up and kickbacks down as people monitor one another, using social media for ratting some of the dirt out. Graft busting is hard to quantify but saving the public money, says Jonathan Ravelas, first vice president with the Banco de Oro treasury group in Manila. “People try to be very careful in how they do things,” he says. “(Graft) has gone down significantly, but it’s still there. It’s a work in progress and it will take time.”
2. INFRASTRUCTURE MADNESS:
Infrastructure madness: Spending on roads, airports and seaports will reach about 5% of the $294 billion economy next year. One dedicated highway will link Manila’s airports to Entertainment City, a $4 billion bayside casino complex, in minutes. Otherwise it’s accessible only after an hour on ordinary city streets clogged by motorists so angry about traffic that some intentionally drive the wrong way. New roads are good for tourism. By year’s end the country expects upgrades to power plants, energizing parts of the country where business suffers from brownouts (and high rates). Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is lengthening a 22-kilometer light rail by another 11 to ease unbreakable traffic gridlock in Manila. At sea, local port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. said last year it would spend 3 billion pesos to expand at the otherwise cramped port in Manila.
3. CHINA PLUS ONE: The Philippines, like other parts of emerging Southeast Asia, is encouraging multinationals to scrap plans for expanding factories in China. Do it instead in the Philippines, the government is urging. The country lags Asia in FDI for lack of infrastructure and distance from export markets. But labor costs less in the industrial parks around Manila compared to China’s east coast cities and Filipino workers know English, ideal for training them or assigning them to write product manuals for Western countries. Taiwanese PC parts contractor Kinpo Electronics invested $30 million last year and is expected to follow with the same amount this year, halting similar China plans, says Benedict Uy, a Philippine trade representative in Taipei. A slate of Japanese printer makers including Seiko Epson Corp., Brother International and Lexmark International also have expanded in the Philippines rather than China, he adds. “That’s our strategy,” he says. “We try to knock on their doors and also bring in the entire (supply) chain.” Foreign direct investment rose from 173 billion pesos ($3.9 billion) in 2004 to 274 billion pesos in 2013, government statistics show.
4. OUTSOURCING IS IN:
The Philippines has overtaken India in voice call centers for multinationals including Western banks and IT firms due to client preference for the local English accent, Uy calculates. It’s on its way to growing out other back-office services as the government earmarks $25.19 million to train a range of talent, including accountants and medical transcriptionists. (There’s already a surplus of trained nurses.) Call centers add jobs, creating new income and a passion for once largely unaffordable brands such as Apple and Hermes. Each of the roughly half million call center workers generates another two service jobs because “you have to feed them,” especially at night when it’s daytime in countries where the calls originate, Ravelas notes. Call center numbers are growing about 20% per decade, he says.
5. MONEY KEEPS COMING HOME.
Numbers of Filipino workers overseas aren’t growing now as they did in the 1980s, but the 2 million spread across the globe bring in more every year, for about $22 billion in 2014.
***********************
The reoadblock he mentioned is the peace and order in Mindanao which is now further deraileld by the Mamasapano incident.
vander anievas says
that is good news!
and binay sighs in relief. he is not a noli boy!
he can run in 2016.
unlike noli who packed-up in 2010. hahaha!
like i said earlier: BBL must proceed, cautiously…
mamasapano is a blessing in disguise.
duquemarino says
@vandier anievas
Binay may not be a noli boy and can run in 2016 an may win.
But it doesn’t translate to a graft and corruption free with him and his minions.
What if he appoints peepeeing as dilg secretary,
Tenterenteng as national treasurer or defense secretary.
Tatad as press secretary.
Limlingan as secretary of budget and management
Nancy as senate president
Abigail as speaker of the house
Elenita as dswd secretary
Junjun as president of city mayors league.
Sino pa ba?
Bellesouth says
So true. Thank you for posting this. This is exactly the thought of the silent majority.
NHerrera says
@chit navarro
That is good news indeed in so far as items to be credited to Pnoy are concerned, but if I may put some nuance to the comparison:
GMA is to Noli
GMA is a Negative; Noli is a Double-Negative
A coup against GMA’s Negative is countered by Noli being a Double-Negative.
Thus Noli protects GMA against a coup
AS
Pnoy is to Binay
Pnoy is a Double-Positive; Binay is a Quadruple-Negative
A coup against Pnoy is countered by the the Double-Positive of Pnoy and the Quadruple-Negative of Binay
Thus, Pnoy is greatly protected against a coup on his own merits and the very Negative perception of Binay
NHerrera says
Raissa, kindly rescue my reply post to chit navarro if you have the time and can find it. Thanks.
duquemarino says
Nancy urges Palace: Come clean on Mamasapano operations
ABS-CBNnewsdotcom 2/21/2015
“Come clean kung ano yung nalalaman nila. Then let’s move forward and make sure na hindi na mangyayaring muli yung ganitong nakakalungkot na pangyayari.” Binary said.
Ano kaya kung sabihin mo rin yan sa tatay mo?
Come clean on the Makati parking building!
Come clean on the Hacienda Binay!
Come clean on the BSP-Alphaland deal!
moonie says
and come clean about making sister cities rich as makati, when and only when, binay becomes president. why wait? why not do it now? why wait for tomorrow what you can do today? past action is good indicator of future action. previously, binay has not made any sister city rich as makati, and not likely to do it in the future, president or not. in the future, building materials will be dearer, kickbacks will be higher. yesteryears when building materials were cheaper and people more cooperative and less knowledgeable of politicians’ wrongdoings, binay did not attempt to make a sister city rich as makati when he had best chance of doing it.
what had stopped binay from making just one of the sister cities rich as makati? that would have been prototype, give people an idea that binay can really do it. there was proof. and yet, not one sister was made rich as makati.
there are around 128 sister cities; now, which one of cities will be like makati? all of them? one or two, maybe? the rest may god have mercy on them for they have to vie for his attention, maybe kill one other just so they can be next on the list? that’s bad.
how much would it cost if all 128 sister cities be made like makati? binay would just have to empty all of bir’s kitty, borrow money from international monetary fund and do it quick. he will only have 6 yrs to do it. then, the next adminstration will have hard time paying off his debts, the rest of the country poorer.
NHerrera says
@moonie: A good campaign material, built around your thoughts — by his rivals. If just one of the 128 was made rich then his heights will go to the stratosphere.
duquemarino says
@moonie @ NHerrera
What had stopped binay from making just one of the sister cities rich as makati?
Political patronage.
A patronage system not only rewards political supporters for past support, it also encourages future support, because persons who have a patronage job try to retain it by campaigning for the party at the next election. (thefreedictionarydotcom)
In the case of binay, he had it made known to the sister LGUs even when he was makati mayor his desire to become president.
Another point. It was not his kind of governance (as revealed on various anomalies) that made makati rich. Makati became rich being a commercial and financial district even before his dynasty ruled makati.
But look at the other side of makati, the slums, the informal settlers, the depressed communities. Was it a reflection of good governance? Governance of transparency and accountability?
wecandoit says
the sheer number of voters among slum dwellers, informal settlers and depressed communities outnumber the number of voters on the other side of the tracks- so without the exposure of anomalies and the distribution of cakes and bags of rice with picture of _nay on them, these majority of voters (heck even in the houses in the villages, the domestics outnumber the amos) will continue to vote for the corrupt scheming terrmites.
this thread is very good because it is presenting information that blog readers can understand and pass on to non-blog readers.
wecandoit says
ano kaya ang key word dito that resulted in its going to moderation. abangan!
moonie says
election is fair game, parang perya. it’s not only the termites that are biting but gnats, gadflies and tsetse flies, flies on the walls, etc. all kinds of flies. others can bite too, better than termites. termites can only eat a building at a time, and they rarely swarmed.
termites are not the only ones who can play games, there are others who can play better, bigger, more tenacious games, mind games. and if they swarmed, kawawa ang termites. they would be swamped. if termites can give, other can give too. it’s going to be like perya. give one, give all.
voters are waiting for the hoards, accepting and hoarding all, smiling all the time. making the hordes happy. but when comes to voting, they have done it before. they’ll vote with their heads, not with their bottomless stomachs. they had previously shocked manny villar, he had spent the most last presidential election in 2010, and all was for nothing. voters ate him out, indulged him, hear him out, followed him, hoping for more and more handouts, but majority did not vote for him and voted for PNoy instead. villar learned a good lesson, was taught a very good lesson. never underestimate the poor.
never be afraid of termites too, entymologists collect them, pest controllers loved them and make money out of them. termites got big mouths but little brain.
moonie says
a balloon full of air, it’s just an empty promise, binay making sister cities rich as makati.
like the promise he’ll take to court those that called him liar, and binay has not delivered.
he had promised support to trillanes’ coup agains gloria arroyo, again, binay has not delivered.
binay ‘who cannot deliver’ should not be voted in as president come 2016 election.
geny says
The over-riding reason for the current state of affairs is a lack of leadership, compounded by a weak team, leading to general discontent, and an opportunity for others to exploit the situation, which is the very nature of politics.
Leadership needs courage, competitiveness, confidence, creativity, communication skills, competence, and compassion/empathy, all qualities which are sadly lacking in Aquino.
He simply doesn’t have the leadership gene, and the consequences have been very predictable.
Leadership is predominantly an innate quality.
It shines from an early age and burns brightly throughout life, irrespective of the field of endeavour.
The Peter Principle applies to Pnoy – promoted to his level of incompetence – and he constantly demonstrates the Aquino Affliction – run and hide in times of trouble, or hide behind a wall of silence.
His anxiety issues cause him to panic and freeze.
Leadership demands backbone. Thats why Eton and Sandhurst have the system down to a fine art. It sorts the men from the mummy’s boys.
raissa says
Where do uou get your quaint ideas about leadership?
filipino_mom says
google or facebook?
Rene-Ipil says
Geny mentioned about the promotion of a middle level manager in a corporation to a level where his managerial skills are deficient and need further education, training and experience. It is not about the policy making power of the company owner or the CEO. But Peter Drucker was the 70s vintage. And there is no school for presidents.
Many believe that before, leaders are born. But today leaders are honed in schools and training institutes, including on the job and practical training exercises. But no school or OJT for presidents. Even the VP is merely a spare tire that lacks traction on the ground.
geny says
@Rene-ipil
The policy of the CEO, as incorporated/reflected within the overall strategy, does determine the style and culture of an organisation, its training budget/approach, motivation of staff etc. and ultimately the decision making process/quality at all levels.
We have progressed from the deficiencies identified by Drucker, but precisely because of those shortcomings, strategies were adapted and in came ‘the learning organisation’, business psychology, executive leadership programmes; and more recently ‘the collaborative enterprise’ and ‘transformational management’ have taken centre stage, whilst corporations are also rebranding through Corporate & Social Responsibility initiatives, and Diversity and Inclusion programmes.
I agree leadership is a combination of nature and nurture, but the cliche – ‘leaders are made on the playing fields of Eton’ holds true for a reason, and i should know!
The related point is that in many countries government is adopting more professional management and analytical techniques, and Mckinseys biggest revenue stream is from governments, using techniques which have been honed in corporations. The same applies to standards such as ISO, EFQM, Lean, Kaizen etc.
The executive suite has to tolerate politicians but has little respect for them.
Competitive advantage is critical to the corporation, but comparative advantage is crucial to a country, especially in ASEAN 2015.
The Global Competitiveness index suggests that The Philippines needs to put in a call to Mckinseys asap.
ricelander says
Agree with you about leadership. But you wandered into the enclave of those who fiercely believe PNoy is a great leader and possibly the best President this country ever had.
Alan says
This is the problem of mechanical managers who suffer from the delusion that practices which apparently work in the business world and private sector will fly in politics and high government. It’s a mistake many private sector members make – to their eternal grief (let’s start with McNamara and work our way from there). To believe that a politician merely needs to consult management books and schools and adapt a specific school of management — without taking into account things like political culture, history, psychology, personality, kinship, the media — well, that’s clearly someone who is about to get a bad haircut or suffers from too much theory and private sectoritis. You might consider reading The Erap Tragedy by the Laquian couple to see what happens to such people.
geny says
Fortunately there are those of us who can operate in both sectors, and fully understand the dynamics of leadership and its constituent parts, and have the scars to prove it.
And whilst Mckinseys et al do utilise models, they have been born out of experience, and used as a point of reference, a basis for communication, or as a structured starting point. The product itself is the final report which is very specific. Reputation only comes from deliverables/results – in both the private and public sector.
Modern managers carry a wide range of ‘tools’ these days to fix problems.
I think your global experience is limited and knowledge out of date. Time-warp thinking, and evidence of just how much change is needed.
And many politicians from a variety of countries attend my alma mater for leadership and executive programmes.
Update your perspective via the mckinsey global hub for innovation in government.
http://www.mckinsey.com/client_service/public_sector/latest_thinking
parengtony says
I am guessing that you are a republican. Are You?
Joe America says
Hahaha, and y’all thought I was arrogant, opinionated and condescending. Ahh, I should not go personal. But where does one start? One has the pragmatics of politics to deal with, an economy that is being sucked off by the corrupt and by favored oligarchs, a president who does the management things that geny speaks of (management by numbers, instilling drive and direction among subordinates, balancing his time among many demands, holding steady in the course of crisis) and nobody knows because the tabloid media are interested in what dingaling tingting has to say instead. A president who jails powerful crooks and has to deal with their stinkin’ screams in the tabloid press, and people like geny come along and pile on too, because they want to look better than the president or anybody.
The main substantive criticism I’ve ever read of President Aquino is that he does not look like a young Fernando Poe or swagger like Pacquiao. You know, really substantive remarks like that.
In truth, I suspect geny could not lead the nation to the CR.
arghel says
Splendid my “BFF Kano” he he
moonie says
many politicians attend geny’s alma mater for leadership and executive programmes, hmm, double mm for programs, that’s must be british spelling, not american. bong marcos’ kids are boarding in UK schools. eh, geny, can you name a politician who has actually attended your alma mater for such programmes you mentioned? which year please?
the tools you speak of, and how much change is needed, you mean, ntc, national transformation council? that tool of change? if you’re readying the ground for ntc, you’re not doing a good job. out of loop you are. you dont know your audience. insulting your audience will only make them keep their distance. mark you as something to be avoided. you make enemies instead of friends. didn’t your parents tell you it’s easier to manipulate a friend than an enemy? sorry, forgot, you’re in a boarding school and your de facto parents are your books and the walls around you are your dearest friends. it’s no wonder to you carry on ignorant of the grass roots and cannot emphatized with them.
geny, earthling, you have much to learn.
moonie says
mummy instead of mommy – british again. you’re so influenced by the british, geny, try being american, you might hit jackpot.
Rene-Ipil says
Maybe your models could apply to specific aspects of governmental management – finance, commerce, resources, transport, defense, economy, public works, tourism, etc. But we are talking about the presidency in a democratic government.
Marcos was a brillant lawyer. But the law course does not include any subject on management. I wonder if Marcos ever read a management book in his entire life. Cory was a math major. FVR was a soldier while Erap was a college drop out. Of course Gloria had all the college degrees you could think of. But the Philippines remained for decades the sick man of Asia until PNoy arrived. And I am not sure whether he read your management books.
Of course Cesar Purisima, Balisacan, Singson, Domngo, Jimenez, etc. are familiar with management books.
BTW. Competitive and comparative advantages are economic concepts that are both crucial to private and public enterprises. IMO, they are not mutually exclusive but rather synergistic.
moonie says
I think, geny is anglophile. in britain the form of government is parliamentary whereas ours is democracy. house of lords, house of commons, then there is the queen as head of state. I think geny is having hard time grasping our democratic system of government.
Alan says
Sounds like we have a card-carrying member of Get Real Jobs, este Philippines, as a guest speaker. “Geny”, who sounds so authoritative (in a bookish theoretical sort of way) should consider giving us his/her real identity and accomplishments, that we may rate his/her expertise. Otherwise what he/she says sounds like something he/she clipped from Wikipedia or a motivational magazine.
NHerrera says
Right. Even our neighborhood “Booksale” shop carries a lot of these leadership-motivational books; and since these are second hand books on sale in those shops, the slight variations of these old ideas are a centavo for two dozens of them.
josephivo says
Fully agree that the current state of affairs is the result of leadership, including the team. But we might disagree on the current state of afairs. For me the reduction in corruption, GMA and 3 senators in detention, old ombudsman, chief justice gone, booming economy, improved ratings… I would call all this phenomenal. Maybe it was a little more than just leadership, “luck” maybe? (and remember that “luck” works at both sides)
Parekoy says
Agree!
Don’t make yourself scarce here, I like your insights and I assume others as well.
kalakala says
ito pala ang ibig sabihin @ geny… “and an opportunity for others to exploit the situation, which is the very nature of politics”.
“How can a 2nd ‘poorest’ senator afford a Balesin wedding? The principal sponsors say it all. Some of the high-profile corporate personalities were basically lifted from Forbes’ list of richest Filipinos, led by Hans Sy, scion of business tycoon Henry Sy of the SM group of companies. The A-list sponsors included Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation, Andrew Tan of Megaworld Corporation, Lance Gokongwei of Robinson’s Corporation, Cebu Pacific and JG Summit, and Bobby Ongpin of Alphaland. Property developer Jerry Acuzar of New San Jose Builders was also part of this elite list.” from rappler
raissa says
second poorest ba siya?
kalakala says
from rappler:
“In fact, only two years ago, he was considered the “poorest” senator with a total declared net worth of P4.017 million.
In his latest 2013 SALN declaration, Escudero’s net worth jumped to P8.243 million, on the strength of properties – 5 residential and one – he acquired by “succession.” (Escudero’s father, former Agriculture Secretary and Sorsogon First District Representative Salvador Escudero died in 2012). His cash on hand also rose to P3.183 million.
Still, he remains the second “poorest” senator, behind Trillanes.”
uprightbike says
Textbook approach, plain and simple. Whoever will replace PNoy, I will just delete the name of PNoy and replace it with the name of his successor. And I will have a seemingly brilliant analysis.
arghel says
@Geny
There are 4 temperaments and all of us fall into these or we could either have a combination of two types.
1. Cholerics
2. Sanguines
3.Melancholies
4. Phlegmatics
Let me define Phlegmatics to you because from my observation, this is his temperament;:
Phlegmatics are described as having a flat-type personality, being laid back and desiring a peaceful environment above all else. They are easy going, laid back, nonchalant, unexcitable and relaxed. Desiring a quiet and peaceful environment above all else. They tend not to actively upset people, but their indifference may frustrate people. They try not to make decisions, and generally go for the status quo. They are good as mediators because they don’t usually have many enemies. They also have a “dry” and quick sense of humor. Phlegmatics are also known as the “Peaceful” type. Some famous examples are Calvin Coolidge, Tim Duncan, Sandy Koufax, and Keanu Reeves.
The author describes that all these temperaments are all capable leaders, for they all have strengths that a position requires. but the most liked are the cholerics for their aggressive personalities. (Pls google the rest of the temperaments.)
Pls refer to PERSONALITY PLUS by Florence Littauer
I am choleric/melancholy by the way.
arghel says
by his I’m referring to the President .
arghel says
In your first paragraph re: lack of leadership …. and … giving opportunity for others to exploit .
The reason for that Sir is our very weak institution. And may I refer you to BenDiskurso’s excellent take on that topic.
And then, there are also groups who are not done with their vengeful characteristic at gustong maging bida ulit. Sino po ba ang may gusto ng may dilaw at pula, kakapagod na po. Pero sabi nga po ‘ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY.”
arghel says
my first comment is still with akismet.
arghel says
May I close my commentary with this? No offense to those who do not believe.
Each of the temperament has strengths and weaknesses and only our Lord Jesus Christ had the best of each temperament. He had the story-telling gifts of the POPULAR SANGUINES, the depth and sensitivity of PERFECT MELANCHOLIES, the administrative ability of POWERFUL CHOLERICS and the calm nature of the PEACEFUL PHLEGMATICS.
Have a good day everyone :)!
impex123 says
Like☺
arghel says
Thank you :)!
geny says
Thanks.
But i think her approach is a bit simplistic and outdated, and she is aligned with self-help philosophies rather than modern leadership techniques.
Psychometrics, which does have its limitations, has moved on and continues to evolve, but business psychology plays an increasing role in corporate life, formally and informally.
More current assessment tools are 16PF ( personality factors), Myers-Briggs, and at executive level – Saville & Holdsworth, Belbin for teams, Hofstede for multi-cultural understanding, and Harvard Impact Assesment Test for unconscious bias.
But best of all is experiential training, particularly for leaders, and executive assessment is no longer just ‘in the office’, but as likely on an ‘outward bound course’.
With a growing ‘talent war’, corporates have various have various ways to identify and develop potential, and then give them the opportunity to lead by creating an intrapreneurial organisation with a culture of empowerment and inclusion.
But i agree that there is not one type of leader, and different characteristics/style.
Diversity is a strength when utilised effectively.
And for that reason it is about ‘best fit’ whether innovator, caretaker, risk-taker, undertaker.
The key is not to have a square peg in a round hole, which is a common mistake, especially in patronage politics
The final arbiter is respect, and results.
Alan says
dear nameless geny, master of management books, have you ever actually served in government? ventured into elective politics? done a turn as a barangay tanod perhaps?
arghel says
I may lean into self-help but remember @Geny God looks at the heart first . Sorry I know this might sound very un-scientific to you , when choosing heads of state.
vander anievas says
jeny, you could be the perfect president we are looking for.
come out in the open.
i will encourage our barangay to inch for you.
you could be a political genius too, like makoy…
NHerrera says
JUDGEMENT CALL OF THE PRESIDENT — A SCENARIO
The President to Purisima and Napenas: On the high level intel about Marwan. I have given it considerable thought, I have evaluated the risk against the benefit considering especially the potential for hundreds of deaths with his training of rebels in bomb-making. In Bali alone, he has caused the death of about 200. Here is my Judgment Call:
Go for it. Purisima, you are in possession of details and previous Oplans no one else has. Unfortunately, that knowledge has not been relayed to someone else, before your suspension. You give the appropriate advice to Napenas.
(Napenas left earlier than Purisima who was still with the President.)
The President still talking to Purisima: If your judgment is that information leaks will cause another failure to get Marwan, advise Napenas on how to prevent possibility of leaks, use the concept of TOT if need be.
Later, on being told — at the earliest instance — of the action and deaths at the field, the President talks to both PNP Espina, AFP Catapang and makes another judgment call: you do what in your combined judgment should be donet. If further deaths can be prevented, do what is best. I cannot presume to know what is best to do in the field.
Question: Has the President committed a criminal act? Has he culpably violated the constitution?
If the case is one where Pope Francis is being held hostage by Marwan and the result was
Pope Francis, saved. Marwan dead. SAF 44 dead. 18 MILF/BIFF dead.
Again the Question: Has the President committed a criminal act? Has he culpably violated the constitution?
Joe America says
When information is sketchy or piecemeal, one is inclined to make assumptions or operate on the basis of trust or mistrust. Mr. Aquino knows people are demanding answers and I think he will provide them when he has received the reports he has requested from the PNP investigation panel. The opposing forces are perhaps threefold:
1) Crooks and political opponents after what serves them well, getting rid of an honorable president. Included here are people who will look for legal violations.
2) Sensationalists. Like, the tabloid media.
3) Frustrated people who need it done their way. Now.
Hey, I’m starting to warm up to the President’s approach, and I for sure still trust him.
NHerrera says
Yes. I agree, he should get the best info before making what — to my mind — is a very important speech or statement. Truth to tell, I felt uncomfortable in making that scenario, but wanted some feedback, especially from our legal experts here, if I am nutty or not. It is probably the adrenalin working to see how the week, till at least Friday, ends.
Rene-Ipil says
I think your “made up” scenario is 99.99% correct.
NHerrera says
@Rene-Ipil
You have made my day! But on second thought, I am still in great anxiety, @leona will shoot this idea down. (Shudder.)
Parekoy says
Winning ka ngayon!
I expect some balato!
;)
NHerrera says
:-)
sykes says
the plan was Puri’s baby. he was the architect. naturalmente for Aquino and Napeñas to turn to him for advice and info. suspension doesn’t mean all knowledge about the plan automatically transferred to Espina. some people just can’t seem to grasp that.
vander anievas says
simple lang.
they want pnoy out.
only that.
no matter what the issue is.
duquemarino says
As the saying goes, “everything happens for a reason!!!!
Simula nuong January 25, 2015 ng pumutok ang Mamasapano carnage, maraming mga isyu ang lumabas na nagpukaw sa kaisipan ng mga Pilipino.
Una, ang usapin ng “chain of command”. Sino ang nag-utos, kailan iniutos, sino ang dapat managot at ano ang kabutihan o kasamaang idinulot nito? 44 SAF ang patay, meron din sa MILF at may sibilyan. Left and right and investigations, left and right ang speculations, left and right ang nag-point finger. Isinuko ba natin ang ating soberenya sa Amerika dahil sa kanilang partisipasyon?
Ikalawa, ang Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Bago sumabog ang Mamasapano, iilang sector ang may interest sa BBL. Ngayon, halos lahat ay nagpapahayag ng kanilang damdamin. Tila sina Madam Deles at Ferrer ay nagiging tagapagsalita ng MILF sa halip na maging objective. Si Iqbal, sa kabila ng kanyang pagsasabi na hangad nila ang kapayapaan ay kinakikitaan din ng “doublespeak” sa kanyang mga pahayag. May nagsabi na sina Deles at Ferrer ay tila biktima na ng “Stockholm syndrome” na parang hostage na sila ng MILF at ang kanilang sentimyento ay nakahilig na sa mga rebelde.
MILF nga lang ba ang may karapatan sa Bangsamoro Basic Law? Paano ang ibang mga stakeholders (Christians and Muslims alike) na nasasakop o maaring masakop ng Bangsamoro land? Ang mga taga Luzon at Visaya ay stakehoders din sapagkat bahagi tayo ng isang bansa na nanganganib ma-dismember dahil sa BBL. (stakeholder is one who is involved in or affected by a course of action).
Ikatlo, sa usaping political. May nagsabi na malakas pa ang political capital ni PNoy subalit nakikita natin na ang kanyang social capital ay unti-unting nababawasan. Usapin ito ng decision-making, sa tamang panahon, sa tamang sitwasyon at sa tamang paraan. Kaliwa’t kanan ang humihingi na magbitiw sya sa tungkulin (akala ko ba ay itinataguyod natin ang ating konstitusyon). Makakatulong ba ang pagbibitiw ng pangulo sa ngayong panahon? Is there really a need to change horses in midstream? Or are we just seeing the trees and not the entire forest.
Marami pang dapat nating i-consider sa ngayong”tumultuous time” subalit hindi ito kasing tindi sa sitwasyong nangyari sa panahong ng rehimeng Marcos.
Nandyan ang alegasyon kay VP Binay na naghahangad maging pangulo ng bansa, kaya panay ang ikot sa iba’t-ibang lugar upang lalo pang palakasin ang kanyang “critical mass.”
Marami pang mga isyu ang dapat mabigyan ng solusyon, kasama na ang “creeping invasion” ng China sa west Philippine Sea.
Nuong nandito si Pope Francis, sa kanyang homily nagtanong sya, “Do you love me?” sigawan ang nasa loob ng Manila Cathedral, “Yes!!!!!”
Ngayon naman, nagtatanong ang ating bansang Pilipinas, “Mahal nyo ba ako?
Madali tayong mag-akusa, madali rin tayong maghusga nguni’t madali rin tayong makalimot.
JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”
Parekoy says
In sino ang nag-utos, alam mo na siguro yung info na share ko. Sabi nga ‘alam na ng lahat, sila puri, napenas, at PNoy nalang ang hindi pa alam’.
MILF in my view is the best out there to negotiate for BBL. They are revolutionary and I can relate with their cause. Their cause is just and it has been more than 400 years of promises, something has to be than although half-baked and MILF has to give up some of their demands to have the BBL pass. Once they proved themselves that they can govern and be trustworthy of keeping true to the BBL then they can petition GRP to the conceded demands. Meaning make it two-phase and conditional so that they will keep their bargain. Though I believed that coddling Marwan and Usman and be BFF with BIFF as their extra helping allies was a big gamble, which I would also do if I was in their shoes since BBL is not yet signed and no guarantees of passing, was a tactical decision that they have to admit to themselves that it failed. Npthey gambled and lost, so it diminishes their bargaining power and they have suck it up and take what they can get from the able and workout new concessions later in my oroposed second phase when they prove themselves worthy. i think it is a win-win situation, the GRP will save face and so as MILF.