Endorsing an honest public servant
PRESIDENT Noynoy’s SONA is a fast summary of his accomplishments, frustrations, and appreciation of giving daang matuwid a chance to show the way for public servants to follow. For the first time in many years, the President’s report has a new chapter on the national economy: in the last five years GDP grew by an average of 6.4 percent between 2010 and 2015. Club Filipino means good luck
Anytime now President Aquino is poised to announce Sec. Mar Roxas as his chosen successor at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City. The announcement of Roxas’ proclamation on Friday will coincide with the birthday of Mar’s mother Judy Araneta Roxas. It was at Club Filipino where President Cory was sworn into office by Chief Justice Teehankee in the presence of her mother-in-law. The LP proclaimed Noynoy as presidential
candidate at Club Filipino.
Playing coy in politics Most veteran observers believe at least four persons will contest the presidency in May. The coy candidates prefer to remain silent about their ambition. People who call themselves independent in politics will soon learn that politics is not for the independents. Playing coy in politics can damage a politician’s image and the ability of giving warmth to the silent majority.
Overpricing is bad PR Filipino voters are not in a hurry to show their preferences until the last few days of the campaign period. SWS and Pulse Asia will conduct more opinion polls during the campaign period. The full Senate report on VP Binay’s alleged overpricing of public structures in Makati may grab headlines in the weeks before the election. This report, properly handled, can lose more votes for the VP.
Without a blemish
If Mar Roxas still lags in the survey his true standing as a candidate without a blemish remains high and invites a challenge from all candidates running for president, vice president, senators, and House members. This time Mar’s Ilonggo friends will remain solid for him. There are provinces in Mindanao with a thick population of true Ilonggos in addition to the big islands of Panay, Negros, parts of Palawan, and Mindoro. With Noynoy leading the campaign, Central Luzon is fast becoming a Roxas base. Mar’s grandmother and former Miss Philippines – Trinidad de Leon Roxas – is a purebred Bulakenya.
Model to copy
Any administration that can build infrastructures without wasting public funds is a model to copy. Roads, bridges, irrigation system, ports, airports, and public buildings can be built without delay and within the programmed budget with proper planning. The so-called additional funds simply means poor planning and execution of any one or two projects. This becomes a habit in deficit spending affecting more projects.
Losses by the millions
When one sees a DPWH gang of 12 start working at 10 a.m. he can say the project won’t meet completion target after wasting two working hours. If five of the gang of 12 start cooking lunch by the roadside this is the end of planning/ programming and the projects’ completion target will not be met. And being late by two or three months will incur losses by the millions.
Cost overruns alone can finish a feeder road costing added to delays previously noted. If multiplied by 20 projects the actual loss is a cool This is worse than overpricing if its practice is tolerated by Cabinet members. (Comments are welcome at roming@ pefianco.com).