The recent report that the country’s economy has improved during the fourth quarter last year may be music to Filipinos’ ears, but for President Benigno Aquino III, economic growth should mean more than numbers and figures.
In his speech during the 3rd recognition ceremony for government institutions that attained International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification in Malacañang, President Aquino stressed that growth should not only be seen in papers, but must be felt by the Filipinos as well.
“Alongside correcting the mistakes of the past is the awareness that economic data that are good in papers but do not give any comfort to the people at the bottom are useless.”
The President also added that economic improvement is not to be bragged about “when the suffering in the country is prevalent.”
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo meanwhile said in a recent report that one of the reasons why the country’s economy continues to suffer is because of the Aquino administration’s propaganda on “politics division.”
President Aquino is known for being outspoken about his disapproval of Mrs. Arroyo and her colleagues. One example was how Aquino urged Chief Justice Renato Corona to give up his post in public before the latter’s trial for impeachment.
Corona allegedly decided mostly in favor of former President Arroyo. Some of his controversial decisions included his rejection of the Truth Commission meant to probe Mrs. Arroyo; the granting of a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo against a watch list order, among others. The former president appointed Chief Justice Corona two days after the 2010 automated elections.
In his effort to curb corruption and promote a transparent government, President Aquino’s critics have accused him of being too focused on going after former President Arroyo and her appointees who have allegedly betrayed the public’s trust on several accounts.
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay aired her concern about the Aquino administration being “obsessed” in convicting his predecessor and the latter’s colleagues for forgetting that “we have pressing problems.”
All eyes may be set on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, but Malacañang was firm in saying that their campaign on boosting the country’s economy is not being neglected.
In a statement, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that “while his administration holds fast to its commitment to good governance, it also would not waver in pursuing equitable economic growth, citing solid accomplishments such as creating an additional 2.1 million jobs last year, as well as increasing tourist arrivals by about a million additional visitors in 2011.”
He said it himself: facts are pointless if it will not ultimately benefit the Filipino people. As a leader of a country that is only starting to recuperate, the President must set an example of a well-balanced and versatile person who can draw the line between the aggressive pursuit of justice and relentlessly serving his “bosses;” the same people who have grown tired of long talks and empty promises and who now want to see and feel results for a change.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ Jan 20-26, 2012 Sec A pg.6)
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