Inside Philippine politics & beyond

How will President Aquino measure up against all previous presidents?

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My hubby Alan made this initial assessment for South China Morning Post (HK) on the eve of President Benigno Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA).

It’s only initial because so much can still happen in his last year in office.

Our thanks to Dr. Mahar Mangahas of Social Weather Stations who agreed to be interviewed even while he was busy abroad. And to Aurelio German, who was first interviewed when Aquino was running for office in 2010. Reli German lends a historical perspective.

Popular or not? Philippines president Benigno Aquino aims to secure his legacy with final State of the Nation address

PUBLISHED : Sunday, 26 July, 2015, 7:27pm

UPDATED : Monday, 27 July, 2015, 9:02am

Alan Robles in Manila

When President Benigno Aquino gave his first State of the Nation Address in 2011, he sent foreign diplomats in the audience scrambling for assistance when he spoke in the local language, Tagalog. Previous presidents always used English. On Monday, envoys will have interpreters ready as the president delivers the last speech of his term.

It isn’t just in use of the national language that Aquino differs from his predecessors. Past presidents in the last year of their terms were lame ducks, crippled by low ratings and public disenchantment. Aquino by comparison enjoys high ratings and could be the most popular president the country’s had since polls were taken. According to Dr. Mahar Mangahas, president of Philippine-based opinion survey firm Social Weather Stations (SWS): “He has been the most popular one at this stage.”

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Comments

  1. For me, Pres. Noynoy is much much better than all other presidents. No president can do all things so soon. No president can be without some critics.

    The job is not easy as everyone tries to say so. Get another like him or better than him. Sino? Mar Roxas!

    So? PNoy is still be best among them all past presidents. He matured from congressman to Senator to President.

    :-)

  2. He has been the most popular president, truly. But what I don’t like about him is that he always blames the past president to every SONA he’s done. Just every time.

    • It’s ok, that’s normal. Even in the US, they never stop blaming former president Bush.

    • Sabi rin ni PNoy sa SONA, quoting George Santayana (a philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist): “Ang makalimot sa mali ng nakaraan, garantisadong uulitin ito”.

      Madali tayong makalimot…kailangan ang lagging paalala.

      • Korek kayo dyan – Lolay and Rolly.

        Hindi makalimot ang karamihan, kundi makupad ang mga kukutil ‘o utak! ‘Di nakaka intindi. ‘O matitigas ang mga ulo.

        Tama – to remind, repeat and keep repeating the quote of George Santayana. A very useful quote for every generations.

        :-)

        • Kapag ang kamalian naman ay hindi inamin, siguradong gagawing muli ang kamalian…

          Hanggang sa ang kamalian ay mistulang naiwasto na sa paulit-ulit na paggawa nito.

        • bakit tayo mananawa kung uulit-ulitin ang pag-ungkat sa gawang masama(mali)?
          mas tama ang paulit-ulit na pagpapaalala sa atin ng maling ginawa ng ating mga pinagtiwalaang pinuno.
          uulit-ulitin ko rin. tama ang ginagawa ni pnoy na pag-ungkat sa maling ginawa ng ating mga nakalipas na lider.
          tama si pnoy.
          maraming pinoy ang hindi nakakaunawa sa gawang plunder.
          at marami ang nag-aakalang kabayanihan ang robinhoodism(robinhoodlum acts).
          marami ng kawatan ang nakabalik muli sa pwesto.
          iyan ang cancer na kinukunsinti ng marami, kapalit ng isang supot na grocery…

        • Ok po yan ulit ulitin at sisihin ang nagkamali para hindi PAMARISAN dahil dami nadadamay at naghihirap sa mga walanghiyang Corrupt. at sana si bishop Fabello ay huwag nang makialam bagkus ipanalangin ang kabutihan nang lahat at sabihan mga magnanakaw na BAWAL ANG MAGNAKAW….saka separation of Church and Goverment must be observed please….

    • I don’t mind him blaming the past. Because it is just reminding everyone that we should be vigilant and never vote a corrupt one. Having a BInay as president will create an Arroyo 2.0 or worst.

  3. good thing Alan pointed out Pnoy’s use of Tagalog unlike past presidents, but really, as an Ilonggo i understand only half of what he says, thankfully the malacanang website offers translated material. despite the use of Tagalog/Filipino, it does not detract from the message of aiming for the better. China issues though should be in English, could be very tedious in Tagalog.

  5. I have just seem a picture of Chiz Escudero standing in front of Leni Robredo after the SONA, hands, palms together level with.his chin, head upright.
    I guess a gesture of respect. He appears to be emulating the traditional Thai “Wai”. If that is the case it is most unfortunate. The higher the gesture above the chin and the deeper the associated bow, the greater the respect shown. His gesture shows little respect.
    Perhaps he would have been better kissing her feet.
    A showman to the end.

    • Truly a honor to enjoy and read JoeAms thoughts and ideas as well as to Parekoy, NHerrera, Rene-Ipil, duquemarino, Yvonne, leona and to ALL! Specially to our modern heroes RAISSA and ALLAN ROBLES! We don’t need to shout in the streets, confront the authorities or hide in the mountains! Here in raissarobles we are free to express our thoughts and sometimes even the President read some of them! Mabuhay To All!

  7. I admire you both, Raissa and Alan, for always being fair and objective in your reporting. One could possibly become jaded and cynical given all the many unscrupulous practices and personalities you have cone across in the Philippine political scene but you both have remained focused only on uncovering and speaking the truth. Likewise, you could have become arrogant and opinionated given the success of your blog and other professiinal endeavours yet you continue to listen to other voices and even provide and support a platform for such other voices to be heard through this cyber Plaza Miranda or CPM.

    Mabuhay kayong dalawa. As with President Aquino, the Filipino nation is in a much better state now because of people like you.

  8. Alan presents a balanced view of the major accomplishments and failings of President Aquino during the 5.2 years of his term; 0.8 years to go with the President and his official family trying hard to accomplish other major items. Aurelio German and Mahar Mangahas helped Alan in this balanced assessment.

    • In this regard, Alan’s quote of Aurelio German, a fair and respected political strategist, puts nicely the assessment in numerical terms:

      “If I were rating him I would give him a B+. I would say 75% of what he promised in the four [previous addresses] he was able to achieve; the 25% I can see the administration is trying hard to fulfil but there is no more time.”

      MY COMMENT: I share that view, being fond of numbers myself. I bet though that the commentaries that will appear in media and the TV talking heads will be the opposite — 75% highlighting the President’s failings; 25% for his accomplishment.