No term extension for Pnoy

Finally, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III made it clear that he has no intentions of extending his stay in Malacanang by seeking a second term in office. In clear terms, the Chief Executive said at a Makati forum with CEOs: “There are some quarters that were saying I should try and go for a second term. I don’t think that’s a right solution.”
For months, the President has held the nation at bay because of his hints that he was toying with the idea of extending his term to ensure that the country’s economic growth is sustained after his present six-year term expires in 2016. Mr. Aquino’s allies readily praised him for his stance, especially so when surveys indicated that their perceived presidential candidate, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, fared poorly as against the strong rating of his arch rival, Vice President Jesus Jose Maria “Jejomar” Binay. According to an early survey, Binay was on top of the pack of presidentiables as he obtained a rating of 51 percent with Roxas trailing by a hundred mile on a very poor rating of only 5 percent.
On the other hand, critics of President Aquino said they were fed up with his alleged “poor performance” and constant blaming of his predecessor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for his dismal failure not to mention, his absence or delayed response in times of his people’s needs. He lost the people’s trust because of his poor handling of emergencies like typhoons, floods and earthquakes, particularly the big floods in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas and the big temblor that destroyed many buildings and centuries-old churches in Bohol. His newly earned sobriquet “Noynoying,” reflects his dismal standing in the eyes of his constituents.
Then, Mr. Aquino’s administration is being blamed for illegal and unconstitutional use of government funds to oust then Chief Justice Renato Corona, the pork barrel and the questionable Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which run into hundreds of billions of pesos, thus pulling his popularity rating down to an unprecedented low, much lower than the rating of VP Binay who has remained the most popular and trusted government official, despite the latter’s corruption issues. Add to this is Mr. Aquino’s possible transgression of the Philippine Constitution which was framed under the aegis of his late mother, President Corazon C. Aquino. Lest we forget, the Chief Executive is also accused of one-sided implementation of the law by going only after the opposition like Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. while holding decision on the others, especially his allies. Not that it suggests absence of guilt for these people but that they are using the allegation to divert public attention away from corruption charges against them.
Lately, too, there is a noted resurgence of crimes, especially in Metro Manila. To make bad matters worse, his handpicked PNP chief, Alan Purisma is deeply embroiled in graft and corruption charges. All these may have contributed to Mr. Aquino’s decision to abandon possible term extension, which is clearly prohibited under the Cory Aquino Constitution.
Mr. Aquino may have avoided a possible rebuff from the people if he pushes through his bid for a second term. But while he has closed the doors for a term extension, he is yet to anoint his successor, presumably Secretary Mar Roxas. It is important for Mr. Aquino to have an ally as the next President to ensure that he will not suffer the fate of his predecessors, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Regardless of Pnoy’s decision or of what the polls say, the Filipinos should cast an educated vote – one that is based on knowledge of the candidate’s record, character and vision. Then and only then can election as a democratic process can truly serve its purpose.