By Jose B. Maroma, Jr.
Fate has a way of levelling the playing field where one favored player unfairly enjoys tremendous advantage because of unlimited access to power and privilege. The untimely passing of a former President and the spontaneous tributes that followed had suddenly stymied the image spinners of the present administration who must now be squirming in the face of comparisons, albeit unintended, between the incumbent and his predecessor.
Judging from impromptu responses of former cabinet members and associates to reporter’s questions one could visualize the brand of leadership that Noynoy exercised. Members of his official family freely gave of their expertise and loyal service based on mutual respect, as contrasted to a leveraged brand of allegiance demanded by the present administration in typical carrot and stick fashion.
Here is how Noynoy was characterized by those privileged to work closely with him:
– He was civil in manners and did not speak of enemies in coarse language.
– He never exacted special favors from his appointees, including those in the judiciary. One of them, former Justice Conchita Carpio Morales whom he appointed Ombudsman, said she never experienced a veiled suggestion of interference or pressure related to the charges against the former President in the Mamasapano and Dengvaxia cases.
– He fought to protect our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea by bringing up the territorial dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
– He did not pamper the military to gain loyalty
– He played fair and respected due process; he did not threaten judges.
– He respected women.
– He was a gentleman, obviously a product of good breeding and personal values
Harry and company will have to patiently sit out for some time the surges of patriotic fervor generated by sympathy for a respected fallen leader. The Palace illusionist should not be so cocky as to ignore public sentiments by shifting back to overdrive the campaign to perpetuate an oppressive dynasty. Many fence-sitters who have been dozing off in lethargy and indifference have been reawakened to the realities of misgovernance. It’s reckless at this time to tease the flickering flame of change which could easily flare up into a raging fire.
The author is a retired civil engineer from Cabatuan, Iloilo. He likes to spend his time reading and writing on the burning issues of the day.
