The Movement on Good Governance came up with a needs assessment study of the Aquino administration and a platform score by the end of the study. Here is their 32 page report and the method of reaching a rating system and a platform score of 4.69.

A needs assessment study under the Aquino administration

It is relatively easy to elect a President. The difficulty lies in supporting him so that he succeeds in governance. Supporting him entails affirming his performance in areas that he has done very well. But it also involves reminding him what policies and practices are not coherent with his platform and promises. What would an “objective” or “fair” approach in evaluating performance of the administration? The assessment must be based on a metric or what the President himself set out to do. In other words, the standards against which the President will be judged are those set by himself, and no one else. In President Aquino’s case, these standards can be found in his campaign platform, which can be broken down into either 102 or 150 action programs/promises, depending on the websites one visits. The President’s campaign platform was reiterated in his inaugural address, where he promised to keep his promises: “No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years”. It metamorphosed into the program of government formally known as his “Social Contract with the Filipino People” which in turn, serves as the basis of the recently released 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP), with “Inclusive Growth” as the mantra.

The Movement for Good Governance uses a scorecard system to assess the needs of the country based on the extent to which the administration has implemented the platform of the President.

The rating system is qualified by indicators. The assessment also makes reference to the qualities of a transformational leader: effective, empowering, and ethical, which MGG used in benchmarking the candidates in the 2010 elections. In specific issues, such as corruption and education, different weights are given. Lighter weights were assigned to those that required simple actions such as requiring public officials to fill up their Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) and making them public. In cases where promises were equally important and difficult, they were given equal weights.

The score?

Here is the summary of his performance:

Platform Score

1. War against Corruption 4.8
2. Public Finance 5.8
3. Governance 4.5
4. Environment 4.7
5. Education 5.68
6. Health 3
7. Economy 4.4

Average 4.69

The initial gains of the Administration in implementing its platform are well recognized. The President sets an example of honesty and good intentions. Many of his Cabinet members are competent and strongly committed to public service. The DILG and the DBM have set good examples in transparency and participatory governance. Education has been prioritized. Inclusive economic growth has been fostered by a President with a strong social capital. The CCT holds a strong promise in poverty reduction.

But a score of 4.69 indicates that many challenges that need to be addressed. These are addressing the budgetary deficit through increased revenue collection, increasing and improving health services particularly the poor, improving access to quality education, improving the productivity of the agricultural sector, and providing better infrastructure. Many of these needs are predicated on a stronger revenue effort. Improvement in revenue administration requires structural reforms as well.

Governance need to be strengthened through a coherent and objective
appointment system. The rule of law should apply to everyone, including friends, family and supporters. A performance-incentive system for all government agencies and local governments will enforce accountability. Irregularities reported by COA should be on top of the accountability agenda. The examples of participatory governance by DBM and DILG need to be scaled up so that more and more communities can be empowered to participate in decision-making.

The strict enforcement of laws on the environment and a good population management do not only call for political will but integrity and transparency in decision-making and implementation.

Read the 32 page report below:

Consolidated Assessment Of the Aquino Administration

July 22, 2011- Nagkaroon ng isang malawakang pagtitipon at pagmamartsa ang mga myembro ng Reproductive Health Advocates Network (RHAN) sa UST papuntang Mendiola ngayong umaga upang ipakita ang pagkakaisa at para maisulong ang panukalang batas na Reproductive Health Bill or RH Bill.

Ibat ibang organisasyon ang nakisama mula sa Likhaan, Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), mga estudyante ng ibat ibang eskwelahan, mga opisyales ng pamahalaan at iba pa na kasama sa RHAN. Ang sumusunod ay ang liham na ginawa ng RHAN para sa Pangulong NoyNoy Aquino sa pagsusulong at upang maisabatas ang ilang taon ng nakabimbin sa kongreso.

Kagalang-galang na Benigno Simeon Aquino III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Palasyo ng Malacañang

Mahal na Pangulong Noy,

Mainit na pagbati mula sa karaniwang mamamayan na kasapi ng Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) at mga kaalyadong samahan na nagtataguyod sa RH Bill.

Una sa lahat, nagpapasalamat kami nang lubos sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta sa mga prinsipyo ng RH Bill, laluna sa tungkulin ng gobyerno na magpondo at tumulong sa malayang napili ng tao na serbisyong RH. Nakakagalak dahil ginawa ninyo ito kahit pa inaabot kayo ng matinding pagtuligsa mula sa kakaunti pero makapangyarihang sektor ng lipunan. Nasisilip namin sa inyong katatagan ang halimbawa ng isang pamumuno na nakikinig at pumapanig sa karaniwang mamamayan.

Kakaiba sa siyam na taong paghawak sa kapangyarihan ng inyong sinundan. Ginamit ng dating umupo sa Malacañang ang RH bilang kasangkapan para mapapanig o mapatahimik ang mga pinuno ng simbahang Katoliko. Maliliit na mamamayan ang tinamaan. Naisakripisyo sa pamumulitika ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan na nakakaligtas-buhay: pagplano ng pamilya, pangangalaga sa ina at sanggol, at pagtuturo sa kabataan ng sekwal na kalusugan.

Kung hindi hinarang ang RH Bill nang siyam na taon, hindi sana aabot sa 40,000 ang mga inang namatay habang buntis; sa 70,000 ang mga sanggol na namatay dahil kulang sa tamang pag-aagwat; at sa 4 na milyon na nagpalaglag dahil hindi handang magbuntis.

Kung hindi hinarang ang RH Bill nang siyam na taon, ilang milyong mahirap na pamilya ang nabigyan sana ng kaunting kaluwagan dahil nasunod ang gustong bilang ng anak. Ilang libong kabataan ang nakaiwas sana sa hindi planadong pagpapamilya at pagtigil sa pag-aaral.

Kaisa ninyo kami sa inyong adhikaing matuwid na daan. Umaasa kami na kasama sa pagiging matuwid ang pagliligtas sa buhay, ang pagturo nang tama sa kabataan, at ang pagtulong sa mga magulang na matupad ang pangarap sa bilang at kinabukasan ng anak. Umaasa din kami na hindi na muling gagamitin bilang kasangkapan sa pamumulitika ang RH.

Mahal na Pangulo, sa palagay namin ay sapat na ang siyam na taong sakripisyo ng karamihan ng mamamayan na naghahangad ng isang batas sa RH. Humihiling kami ng inyong dagdag na tulong, laluna ng malakas na pagsuporta sa mga mambabatas na katulad ninyo ay tinatakot at binabatikos din ng ilang makapangyarihang sektor na kontra sa RH.

Kung maipapasa ang batas sa RH, ilang milyong kababaihan, kabataan at mga pamilya—laluna yung walang-wala sa buhay—ang mabibigyan ng pag-asa ng pagbabago, pag-unlad at katarungang panlipunan. Sa palagay namin ay lubos tayong nagkakaisa sa ganitong mithiin.

Mabuhay po kayo at masayang pagbati sa inyong unang taon ng paglilingkod.

It’s over a year, Sir, since I and a tennis-playing friend wrote you a Dear Noynoy letter. Now I write, yet one more time.

I will still address you Sir because P-noy, your self-given appellation, which my friend snorted at then as “jokey,” (Sounds like a joke, he said) is now used sparingly (di masyadong bumenta) and the way you are addressed these days – President Noynoy – is sort of icky, limp, weak; like how a doting mother calls a son who can’t seem to cope up, so says my barber (who’s my kibitzer this time.)

As in at the start of your term, there are now the same spate of Dear Noynoy letters (disguised as opinion pieces and commentaries) in the papers, radio and tv and the Internet. With their tips and advices, encouraging words and their giving you good marks  (from your KKKs, of course) I think, Sir, people continue to care and want you to make it and…

“Not so!,” interposed my barber. “They are STILL treating him like a walang kamuwang-muwang kid off to his first day in school!”

(OMG! Unbelievable! Exactly the same words uttered in the same snorting way a year ago by my tennis-playing friend who has gone, I hope, to heaven last December!)

If you remember, Sir, last year I narrated how my mother prepared me for my first day in school (with a raincoat and rubberized cap over my school uniform; my shoes disappearing inside a pair of galoshes) which, like those Dear Noynoy letters, showed concern with the storms that will come…

“Afraid then,” my barber cut in again. “… MORE afraid this time!”

The storms did come, Sir, and go. You weathered them all.

“Rode them out is more like it,” my barber smirked. “For the SOP of solving a problem by the Pasig River palace Boss is to sit on it and think it over and continue sitting on it and thinking it over until people forget. The bloody Luneta hostage-taking fiasco, for example…”

But, Sir, you even woke up early the following day to go to the scene…

“And he could have counted the number of bullet holes on the bus, for all the world care!”

But, Sir, you ordered an investigation, di ba?

“And so he did and also with the other booboos, like the Torres shenanigan,  and where did they all end up?”

Anyway, like what I said last year, Sir, I must commend you for promising to eradicate corruption, although I must admit , Sir, that this is one nut even the Singapore Superman can’t crack. It’s amazing not a single day passes without alleged corruption – funds misused, millions pocketed, biddings rigged, cost overpricing, palms greased thick – being bannered in the papers, aired over radio, flashed on tv. It seemed, Sir, you are really out to make good on your promise to run after those whom you perceived to be as not as lily-white as you and your KKKs. It looked, Sir, that you’re hellbent on collaring those you think have not walked the “tuwid na daan,” most particularly the little lady. I can imagine, Sir, the nights you have been dreaming of the little lady locked in some dark, dank cell hanging by her fingertips, but who mockingly grins at you in return. “

“Obsessed, that’s how I look at it,” my barber said, calmly starting to trim my already thinning hair. “… squandering precious working hours that should have been spent on governing a country, which BTW, is what being enthroned at Malacanang is all about.

“And as a result of having “nobody home,” my barber continued before I could open my mouth, “… jueteng still in full bloom…drug trade flourishing… murders, carjackings and rapes have increased…joblessness is rising…OFW jobs reducing… inflation rate rising… prices of rice, sugar, pork and chicken high… we are still short of 66,000 classrooms, 113,000 teachers… floods still hitting Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Mindanao… colorum buses still running on Edsa, among others and those are not my assessments,” my barber was quick to point out, “but that of of a columnist  who should know wherefore he writes!”

Still, I must admit your drive against corruption is “right on track,” as your “good-news” messengers are telling us (and without batting an eyelash.)

“So that’s why,” my barber cut me again, “the general  who they said pocketed those millions is now a free man? The fertilizer scammer still enjoying his millions? And up to now no big fish has been convicted for corruption?”

Still, I must commend you, Sir, for excusing no one in your corruption drive and I am talking about the Pajero 7.

“Tit-for-tat, that’s what it is,” my barber sort of enlightened me. “The Boss started it by going for the RH Bill. The prayerfuls retaliated by telling the Boss he is not up to the job  and must ride into sunset in his Porsche or BMW, pronto. The Boss shot back by spreading out the “Pajero skeletons” in the closets of the men in the immaculate cloth (never mind if those subsequently hamming it up on tv and in the papers in aid of whatever not only have “Pajeros” but really “ritzy wheels skeletons” in their closets.)

Sir, I’m sorry but I have this feeling that something’s rotten hereabouts. There are these infrastructure projects, ongoing or even at their last stages of work, being put on hold or even cancelled; contracts rescinded, plans scrapped. Is it because they were conceived or initiated by the previous Pasig River overlords? Or, as malicious wags say, the present palace overlords want a bit, or the whole, of the action?

Sir, I have also this feeling that the Conditional Cash Transfer by the good lady with the red-today, blue-tomorrow streak of hair, is going to work like the feeding programs of some kindhearted souls. They can do only so much for a time. It would have been better, Sir, if we go by the truism about the hungry being taught how to fish instead of just giving him the fish.

Sir, I know we have still a long way to go but this early you have already lost quite a number of your big rah-rah squad. Of course, Sir, for you it’s “Yey!” if the polls are up and “No big deal!” if the polls are down. I wish you could have a copy of a postmortem write-up (Excluded Middles, First Year, Bulletin, July 6, 20ll) of your appeararance at the recent UP graduation rites by Ms Averill Pizzaro, a BS Philo graduate at the UP Diliman, Quezon City. The unflappable Mr. Lacierda, et al, may dismiss Ms Pizzaro’s article as just another from a “self-confessed cynic” but I found “grains of wisdom” in it while from your talk at the UP, Ms Pizzaro said she heard none. For my barber,“First Year” is one helluva of an article he would die for writing himself.

Manuel Calleja used to work as a copywriter with advertising agencies.  In his retirement, he does community outreach, including serving as Lupon Tagapamayapa in his barangay in Quezon City. He recently won third place in a national essay writing contest sponsored by National Bookstore and Philippine Star.

published at Blog Watch at the Philippine Online Chronicles

364 days is not enough to clean up multiple decades of unjust, mess and uncontrollable corruption. Even the elected tricycle drivers association president cannot just lower the price of “prangkisa” or cannot just ask about the route to take because of the process and the culture which everyone is used to but as what they said, nobody can please everyone and for all the effort there’s always critics.

The question is about visibility of the leader of the state. Which unlike his predecessors are more for a show but what are the consequences? Billions of dollars are in debt, poverty felt and economic progress declined.

For May 2010 election, the people show support by electing the one that didn’t asked for it from the start. Maybe the hope and change that everyone was looking for lies in the son of a hero. As the son of the former President of the Philippines, wealthy bachelor and a famous family clan under his belt maybe just some of the reasons why he didn’t strive before to become the most influential leader in the country.

From www.mb.net , He said his determination to rid the bureaucracy of corruption is paying off — business confidence is back and the economy is stronger.

Some of his accomplishements that maybe the majority of the population are not aware of or doesn’t care at all are as follows:

1. The issuance of Executive Order #7 ordering the suspension of all privileges of officials of 122 government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions that resulted in savings of P2.5 million.

2. The Philippines’ winning the case on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 also saved the government P43.4 billion.

3. The President’s order to stop negotiated contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the re-bidding of urgently-needed projects also saved the government P934.1 million.

4. He said his order to defer the purchase of a helicopter for the Department of Defense due to allegations that it favors one company allowed the government to set aside P3.6 billion.

5. The President said he has ordered a thorough study on the P18.5 billion Laguna de Bay project to avoid waste of money.

6. The Chief Executive noted that weather forecasting has improved from the every-six-hour update to an hourly, more focused weather update when he ordered the change in the stewardship of the country’s weather bureau and saved the government billions of pesos.

According to Barbara White, How often do you hear the comment, “He or she is a born leader?” There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.

In Philippines with more or less than 95 million in population, the majority of the masses are not watching news on television, can’t afford to buy newspapers and don’t have any access to internet. Filipinos wants to feel the change by means of measurements in which they usually used in their everyday life or activities such as:

1. Lower price of basic commodities such as food or oil
2. Decrease in crime rate
3. Accessibility to free medical needs
4. Infrastructure projects
5. Peso exchange rate
6. Housing programs
7. Work availability to everyone

These activities and basic needs are common needs not only in the Philippines but in any other countries. As the developing country, Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, defined a developed country as follows. “A developed country is one that allows all its citizens to enjoy a free and healthy life in a safe environment.”

Good health and safe environment are both a necessity in the Philippines. To enjoy life, the citizens must have good and established work to sustain the basic needs such as food, clothing, home, medicine and good education. As the developing country and with billions of dollars in debt to other countries, the President of this nation will have a hard time to turnaround the existing situation unless everyone from the Baranggay level will cooperate.

According to Barbara White, “Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders.” These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality and here are her study with regards to a qualities of a good leader.

Seven Personal Qualities Found In A Good Leader:

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader as well as keeping the main goal in focus is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

Sometimes the issue is not only about leadership but integrity and honesty. Greed is one reason why a good leader became a dictator at the end. As a private citizen, observant and aware of what’s happening, it is better to be slow, not visible on television or press conferences as long as the executive leader is doing his job, quietly.

This is Akbayan’s press statement on PNoy’s 1st year:

On the first year of President Aquino’s term, Akbayan Party today lauded the government for the significant gains it achieved while proposing broader and deeper reforms in the coming years through a social contract, which the group said Aquino must enter into with the people.

In an official statement titled “The rough and rugged road toward change” (http://www.akbayan.org.ph/news/12-press-releases/95-the-rough-and-rugged-road-toward-change), Akbayan commended the government on the significant gains it made even as it challenged the government to sustain the momentum in effecting reforms in the government.

“We laud the government’s achievements in the anti-corruption campaign, political reforms, and urgent actions to address some of the people’s economic problems,” Akbayan Spokesperson Risa Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros pointed to the removal of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from office, the swift handling of the cases filed against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the filing of tax evasion charges against big-time tax evaders including Mikey Arroyo, the passage of the ARMM election synchronization law and the support for women’s rights via the Reproductive Health bill, among many.

GMA made things more difficult

However, the former partylist lawmaker also recognized the disappointment of the public as they welcomed the first year of the Aquino government. Hontiveros encouraged the government to” embrace and keep near its heart” the sentiments of the people.

“We understand the people’s disappointment as they welcome the government’s first year because they believe this administration is different from the previous carpet-bagging Arroyo administration and is capable of effecting necessary reforms,” Hontiveros said.

“What is important, though, is that the people continue to hope albeit in a cautious way. Thus, it is imperative on the government to reassure the concerns of the people by pushing through with more reforms in the future with unwavering resolve,” Hontiveros added.

Hontiveros said the straight path toward change was made more difficult by the Arroyo camp.

“The change we are direly working for does not happen overnight, especially because of the legacy of corrupt and ineffective governance that was put into practice by the Arroyo government, which like a stubborn stain, is hard to wash off. Not satisfied with this, Arroyo’s henchmen are now busy subverting our aspirations for reforms by making the journey toward change more difficult and the straight path crooked,” Hontiveros stressed.

Hontiveros asked the public not to be seduced by the Arroyo camp’s political rancor and lies. “We must not let them exploit our occasional impatience and distract us from the straight path toward change. We must not let Gloria Macapagal Arroyo win in the end.”

Social Contract to Effect Broader and Deeper Reforms

Akbayan said the Aquino administration and the people definitely have planted the seeds of change, and have emerged victorious in important battles against corruption. However, it said the seeds need proper nurturing and the war against corruption has yet to be won.

“Thus, as much as we celebrate our triumphs in the struggle for reforms, the Aquino government must sustain the momentum of change. We believe now is the time for President Aquino to enter into a social contract with the people to implement broader and deeper reforms in the political and economic fronts,” Hontiveros said.

Akbayan Party Representative Walden Bello said the social contract would include more strategic programs to not only contain poverty but also significantly reduce it.

Bello proposed to the government to implement labor- intensive infrastructure programs that generates jobs and gives the economy a boost. He also proposed the implementation of emergency employment programs to poor households that were not included in the CCT. The economist-turned lawmaker said this would go together with the CCT, which is basically a poverty-containment strategy.

Bello also pushed for a comprehensive debt audit starting with the illegitimate debts accumulated by the previous administration to curb the country’s debt problem and called for the passage of the Security of Tenure bill.

President’s stand on Spratlys lauded

Bello also lauded the Aquino government’s firm stand on the Spratlys issue.

“We appreciate the government’s resolve in standing up for Philippine sovereignty and fighting for our country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Bello said.
Government must defend human rights

Hontiveros also called on the government to immediately certify as urgent the Marcos Compensation bill that would give indemnification to the victims of the Marcos dictatorship. She also called for swift action on the alarming incidents of human rights violations.

“The President should certify as urgent the Marcos Compensation bill since it will give some measure of justice to the victims of the Marcos dictatorship. There should also be swift action against the incidents of extrajudicial killings against activists and political advocates. Government must ever be vigilant against such abuses by state and non-state actors,” Hontiveros said.

Need for a better energy policy

Bello also urged the government to veer away from a coal-centered energy policy towards a policy that supports renewable energy.

“The president already did the right thing by signing E.O. 23 which provides an indefinite log ban in all national and residual forests. That shows that the government is taking the environment seriously. It should now veer away from coal and focus on developing our renewable energy resources,” Bello said.

Promise of Agrarian Reform and Social Justice must be fulfilled

Meanwhile, Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao expressed concern regarding the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program- Extension with Reforms (CARPER) expiration in 2 years and the need to distribute around 1 million hectares of undistributed agricultural lands.

“The government needs to urgently finish the process of distribution in order to fulfill the promise of social justice,” according to Bag-ao.
Commenting on the impending Supreme Court decision on the Hacienda Luisita issue, Bag-ao urged the president to push for eventual distribution regardless of the decision.

“Whether or not the SC’s decision is advantageous to the farmers or not, the President should use his political capital in ensuring that justice is indeed served and ensure that Hacienda Luisita ends up in the hands of the farmers,” Bag-ao said.

Challenges that the President must face

Bag-ao said her group’s proposals are some of the daunting tasks the administration must tackle in the coming years.
“From planting the seeds of change and winning several important battles, the Aquino government must now lead the people into a vision of a better future where the people can reap the fruits of what they sowed,” Bag-ao said.

Hontiveros said while one year is too short to judge the performance of a new government, it is already enough to give a fair appraisal of its commitment to meet the promises it made to the Filipino people.

“Clearly, in its one year, the Aquino government has proven its sincerity and resolve in accomplishing the challenging tasks of restoring the integrity of democratic institutions, social justice and ensuring the economic welfare of the people.

However, Hontiveros reminded President Aquino that the next 5 years would be filled with even greater challenges for his administration.

“The President can easily choose the path of least resistance and renege on his promises. He can do that just like how Arroyo betrayed the public during her term. However, we are hopeful that the government will maintain if not strengthen present efforts to make the corrupt pay and ensure genuine reforms are made. The straight path may be a rough and rugged road and is indeed the hardest path, but that is what the straight path is,” Hontiveros ended.

Photo by Jane Uymatiao

A year ago, Blog Watch participated in the coverage of President Aquino’s inaugural. Though I did not vote for him, I vowed to support his presidency by being one of an empowered citizen in his government. Optimism was high. Together with Jane, we accidentally participated in the first media conference in Malacanang Palace.

Photo by TJ Manotoc

In my June 30, 2010 blog entry which happened to be the First Social Media day, good news awaited us:

Good news awaited me when I was told that the new administration acknowledge the role of bloggers as citizen watchdogs. Secretary Lacierda admitted to being a blogger himself and assured that the Communications group which is still being finalized will include something for social media and give bloggers a chance to interact with the administration. If plans push through, the Aquino administration will be the first in the country to utilize blogging as a legitimate feedback mechanism for government.

Today, a year later, I look back at President Aquino’s administration and still ask where is the road map for change, Mr. President?. I ponder at the positive and negative side of his administration.

Positive

1. He supports the RH Bill, a first for any president in the Philippines.

2. He appointed competent people that I personally know and trust. (Down side is there are also incompetent ones).

3. He is honest, transparent and untainted with corruption. His sisters who act as the “first lady” are active in social work, and other community service.

Negative

1. What happened to the mechanism for social media users like us who participate in governance watch. Though Blog Watch gets to participate in major events, I have to request for it.

2. Though supportive of the RH Bill, he has not deemed it urgent in the priority bills.

3. Freedom of Information bill has yet to be a priority bill.

4. Though transparent, some of his officials do not follow suit especially when it came to filing of the SALNS.

5. He does not have regular cabinet meetings but I often see him moving around doing photo ops. He needs to sit down and plan policies and define the road map for the next five years.

6. He needs to be more decisive and assertive. If he appointed incompetent and corrupt friends in government, he needs to listen to the people . Give us updates on what he is doing about them.

The president probably knows all this already but I would like to reiterate the need for the road map, the short and long range plans. The citizenry will appreciate the President’s “telling us coherently how he intends to prosecute crooks in government, create gainful employment, raise incomes, produce affordable food, build low-cost dwellings and put decent clothes on our backs.”

If I were to rate the President’s first year with a grade range, it will be a passing mark of 77. He can do better in the next five years. Passing marks only because of his good traits that can be used to his advantage to become a more effective leader.

I can only hope that his performance improves.

I can only hope because this is my country. I love my country and there is no way but progress for us. With our continued participation in governance watch, we can make it happen.

Feedback from other bloggers in Blog Watch:

Sagging satisfaction a year after the street party by Carlos Maningat

Noynoy a year after: Deepening poverty, worsening crisis, Part 1 of 2 by Venzie Crisostomo

Noynoy a year after: from tuwid na daan to KKK, Part 2 of 2 by Venzie Crisostomo

The year under a yellow sun by Cocoy

Pnoy’s scores a year after..a 10 and a 4 by Dine Racoma

Feedback in Twitter and in the news show that most give him passing marks.

This is a press statement from Akbayan.

Three days before the commemoration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law (CARL), advocates who campaigned for the extension and improvement of the law banded together to call on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to finish the just distribution of all agricultural lands.

“Legacy”

In a press conference in Quezon City dubbed as a grand reunion of CARPER forces, or those who advocated for the passage of Republic Act 9700, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms, Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao said the Aquino government has the exceptional opportunity to leave “a legacy like no other.”

“President Aquino is in a unique position to succeed where others have failed miserably. More than anything else, the complete distribution of agricultural lands to the farmers under his tenure will cement his image and reputation as the president of meaningful change,” Bag-ao said.

Bag-ao said the President must use his enormous political capital and the people’s goodwill to complete the program.

“Given the strategic position of the agrarian sector, such an investment is judicious. It will provide our people food security, contribute in job creation and boost our local economy. It will also dispel all criticisms that the government favors landlords over and above the interest of the ordinary farmers,” Bag-ao explained.

CARPER, important social reform

The partylist lawmaker, who is also the lawyer of the Sumilao farmers reminded the public of the political and social significance of CARPER which she called the most important social reform won by social movements under the “reform-deficient Arroyo administration.”

“Despite the strong opposition of the Arroyos particularly in Congress to junk the bill, we persevered. We must learn to cherish our victories and protect it from those who want to weaken it,” Bag-ao said.

“CARPER like other progressive laws is not perfect; yet, we must be constantly reminded that without it, farmers in the countryside will have a hard time to harvest crops intended for food production. Inflation will rise if we rely on imported rice to feed our families. The law’s constituency is not only our farmers but also the entire nation,” Bag-ao added.

Obstacle and Bottlenecks

The groups also challenged the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to dismantle all the obstacles and bottlenecks that are preventing the complete implementation of the agrarian reform program.

“While CARPER was signed into law under the previous Arroyo administration, the government was actually anti-farmer. GMA left numerous barriers and devised schemes which will undermine if not impede the full implementation of the law,” Bag-ao said.

The lawmaker pointed to the government’s biofuel program, saying it might affect CARP and the country’s food security.

“We have received information based on research and field studies done by our partner rural organizations that prime agricultural lands are being converted into biofuel feedstock production. In some of the documented cases, agrarian reform beneficiaries run the risk of being relocated or working for low wages,” Bag-ao explained.

Republic Act 9367 otherwise known as the Philippine Biofuels Act was passed into on 2006 under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bag-ao asked President Aquino to carefully study the impact of the government’s biofuel program. “I hope the President will rethink this program. Masyado na maraming hinaharap na problema ang implementation ng CARPER at mga magsasaka gaya ng cancellation ng mga emancipation patents (EPs) at certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs).”

Hacienda Luisita

Bag-ao also drew attention to the Hacienda Luisita case, which is now pending before the Supreme Court. Rumors are circulating that the high tribunal is set to decide the case this week.

“We hope our justices will rule in favor of the HLI farmers. The high court must nullify the stock distribution option (SDO) in Hacienda Luisita and distribute the lands,” Bag-ao said.

The lawmaker said the high tribunal must show its independence on the issue free from the “dictates of landlords”.

“Walang ibang pagkakataon para ipakita ng Supreme Court ang kanyang independence kundi ngayon, as farmers commemorate this month the agrarian reform law. The court must rule in favor of land distribution. The farmers deserve no less,” Bag-ao said.

The CARPER was passed into law on August 7, 2009. It has a life span of five years to complete the deficit of the original agrarian reform program.

Two years after its implementation, according to the DAR’s 2009 accomplishment report, 997, 728 hectares of agricultural lands remained undistributed.

Some immediate steps the government must take to address the country’s economic woes

May 5, 2011

PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO III
Malacañang Palace
Compound J. P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila City

Dear Mr. President:

Allow me to first congratulate the administration in its implementation of anti-poverty and anti-graft and corruption measures. The administration’s efforts to fulfill the promises it made to the Filipino people is truly laudable.

However, as is the problem of developing economies, the masses are consistently beset by economic difficulties.

Since we deepened the national economy’s integration to the global production line, millions of Filipinos have been victimized by the ups- and downturns of the global market. The people continue to suffer the skyrocketing prices of fuel and the often-fluctuating prices of basic food commodities, and the scarcity of permanent employment and adequate wages.

It is important to implement short-term programs that would alleviate the burden of ordinary Filipino people. It is likewise imperative to put into motion medium-term and longer-term programs that would lead the country to self-sustainability.

Allow me to propose policies that would deal with the nation’s top three concerns: inflation, wages, and jobs.

Revisiting Fuel Price Regulation

The ever-increasing price of fuel remain on top of people’s concerns, as the price of fuel increased by 9.7% from the first quarter of 2010 and the public continues to suffer fuel price hikes reflecting the movement of the price of fuel in the global market due to the brewing unrest in the Middle East.

It is also the lack of transparency by which oil cartels determine oil and fuel prices that make it seem like the determination of fuel prices is arbitrary and solely geared to meet the profit-motive of big oil companies. This creates the impression that the people are powerless and the market reigns supreme when it comes to crucial economic issues, and leaves masses insecure.

The administration has already made the initial step to address this problem by declaring that it will look closely into the price hikes that have successively been implemented over the first 4 months of this year. We urge you to look deeper into their books to determine the profit margins that the big oil companies have maintained. While oil firms have justified the price hike as a means to cope with the increasing global fuel prices, it is important to dispel the worry of the people that the oil cartel also takes advantage of the crisis to earn super-profits. The Department of Energy must take the necessary action against any hint of over-pricing.

To substantially reduce the burden of fuel price inflation on the masses, it is important for the government to gain partial control of the market. We need a team of experts that would direct the government’s intervention; this should include the secretary of the Energy department, independent technical experts on the fuel industry and representatives of the big oil companies. The mission of this team: to keep fuel prices at a reasonable, minimum price – one that allows the people respite from the economic hardships of today, at the same time that it ensures minimum profit for local fuel suppliers. The team should further monitor the prices and make periodic adjustments whenever necessary. It is important to make the point that, clearly, we are no longer leaving the price-setting power solely to the oil cartel, because the market has failed the Filipino people.

Towards Food Security

Let us now discuss food security. We are very happy that the Department of Agriculture announced that we would be able to meet palay production targets for the year. This is proof that food security is within our reach, so long as the administration continues to provide support and technical innovations to our local producers. Intelligence reports, however, warn against a looming rice crisis. Whether or not the report is accurate, it creates the impression that supply remains inadequate, which may produce a sudden spike of palay prices.

In response, we must increase the government’s capability to intervene in the local market by filling local warehouses with domestically produced rice. By ensuring that local warehouses are sufficiently stocked, government has the flexibility to “flood the market” to drive down retail rice prices. Likewise, it would be important to consider setting a price for palay sold in the market.

It is important to source rice domestically for the simple reason that this will allow us to protect consumers, small farmers, and local producers simultaneously. Let me elaborate: In 2008, the Arroyo administration, in a bid to control rising rice prices, flooded the market using imported rice. While it was able to help control retail rice prices to a certain degree, it resulted in greater poverty in the countryside because it dampened local farm gate prices. What we had then were local producers who were forced to sell their palay at a loss, pushing them deeper into poverty and destitution.

Filling up warehouses with rice sourced from small farmers at fair prices will help ensure that government has the capacity to intervene in the rice market, at the same time that we are able to support local farmers. In this case, I recommend to the administration to look into increasing local palay farm gate prices. This will pose as an increase in the income of small farmers, which, over and above existing subsidies and cash transfers, would improve their purchasing power and assist tremendously in allowing small producers to meet daily needs, especially in a time of economic difficulty.

I also propose that the administration prepare for unforeseen impacts of climate change and other factors on global and national rice supply by making arrangements with ASEAN to procure rice in case of emergencies through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR). One of the risks attached to limiting importation is the fact that, should global and national rice supplies be compromised by climate change events and other factors, the Philippines will not have enough supply to meet the consumption requirements of its population. To minimize this risk, government should maximize arrangements through ASEAN to have access to regional rice stocks at fair prices, under the APTERR in times of emergencies and volatilities in the global rice market.

On top of these proposals, I also urge the government to support Akbayan’s cocktail of agricultural legislative measures that would provide greater social, financial and technical assistance to small local producers and reinvigorate Philippine agriculture, especially in meeting the challenge of climate change and trade liberalization.

Wage hike and Non-Wage Benefits

The disparity between economic growth statistics and poverty incidence would persist if growth does not lead to the optimal employment of human resources, reduction of inequality, and the substantial improvement of the opportunities and lives of the poor. It is therefore of grave importance to any development program and all poverty alleviation efforts to make employment opportunities available to the poor and unemployed and ensure that wages and non-wage benefits are adequately provided and in compliance with the labor law.

As the cost of living continues to rise, minimum wage becomes increasingly inadequate for workers and their families. And because the pool of unemployed is so vast and jobs are scarce, the Filipino masses would take on any available job, forgoing the risks and the making do with the bare-minimum benefits whatever sort of employment affords. This has granted, for the longest time, the private sector the upper hand in labor-management relations.

For workers, the call to increase wages to bring it closer to the “living wage,” or the level that would allow workers to adequately meet the costs of living, becomes a matter of both economic urgency and social justice. A serious consideration of a substantial wage increase becomes vital in meeting the needs of the people.

It would also be important to heed the discontentment of labor organizations regarding the powers of regional wage boards and consider their abolition. In essence, regional wage boards have been used as a means to consolidate the power of employers against labor, which has rendered its existence antithetic to its main purpose – to empower workers especially when it comes to the determination of wages.

In the meantime, that wage increase remains unresolved, a good measure that the government can undertake is to provide, and encourage the private sector to provide, increased non-wage benefits such as tax exemptions, emergency allowance and other social security subsidies that would improve the capacity of workers and their families to weather economic difficulties.

Job Creation

In terms of creating jobs, I urge the administration to implement the labor-based/ equipment supported (LBES) technology when undertaking infrastructure and public works construction and maintenance. Endorsed by the International Labor Organization (ILO), this means optimizing the number of laborers to construct and maintain public infrastructure, instead of the commonly preferred alternative, which is to intensify capital or equipment. Using LBES, employment in construction projects would increase by 10- 30 per cent, it is particularly ideal for boosting employment and social welfare in developing countries that have high unemployment rates and scores of development projects in the pipeline.

In the early 1980s up to 2000, various infrastructure projects were undertaken by the different administrations employing LBES. In these projects, LBES was proven effective in generating employment and creating socio-economic benefits especially for rural communities and local governments.

As the Aquino administration sets out to implement 10 important projects for 2011 and some 70 projects in the medium-term, it is in the best position to maximize the Philippine labor force and improve over-all welfare of the people by employing LBES technology.
The jobs created will translate into a constant income stream for families that have had to weather the one-two punch of poverty and underdevelopment and put them on the path to improving their lives.

By encouraging the implementation of LB technology in infrastructure development, we are also able to ensure that the contribution of the private sector to the economy is not solely for the improvement of growth rates and other statistical economic indicators but also trickles down to grassroots communities and improves the standard of living for a majority of the population.

Moreover, this will complement the government’s conditional cash transfer program, as it would cover households who became poor after potential CCT beneficiaries were already selected. It also requires no additional budget overlays as it would create jobs from existing projects and budgets, which will be made available to the underemployed poor earning the equivalent of the maximum CCT incomes.

End Labor Contractualization

I also propose that the administration look into the private sector’s sub-contracting practice. Sub-contracting is the new trend in employment, the private sector minimizes costs and obligations to their employees by keeping them on short-term contracts. However, especially at a time of economic crisis, the periodic termination of employment leaves workers and their families with very little to prevent their descent into poverty. By periodically replacing employed people by unemployed ones, this employment illusion will certainly provide no improvement to the nation’s 7.4 per cent unemployment rate, nor will it have considerable contribution in the administration’s anti-poverty efforts.

It is important to ensure that employers will not make radical cuts in employment to maintain profit margins, and ensure that workers are provided with permanent employment and the corresponding benefits, as stipulated in the labor code. The administration must remain on the side of workers and regulate, and even minimize, the private sector’s sub-contracting practices. Akbayan, pro-labor representatives and our labor partners spearhead the on-going legislative effort to redesign the rules governing contractual work and ensure the security of tenure of workers, to ensure the jobs for the Filipino people; the administration must also certify the Security of Tenure bill pending in Congress as urgent.

In essence, more stable jobs and higher wages would create a wider base of working people that would serve as the fuel to the economy. As the workers’ purchasing power improves and they are able to meet the needs of their families, the better-off they become, and the better they perform in their jobs.

Economic Reforms, Perfect Complement to Pnoy’s Political Reforms

Restoring integrity to our democratic institutions by cracking down on graft and corruption, and easing the economic burden on the poor through conditional cash transfers and other poverty alleviation programs are in-roads to more sustainable development. We commend the efforts of the government to embark on this difficult task.

The perfect complement to the administration’s efforts at reform is, still, economic reforms that would protect consumers and producers from economic shocks brought about by our integration to the global market, and enable a more pro-labor environment of employment.

It is a matter of both political will and innovative policies that the Aquino administration can make the most out of reforms. And in all these efforts, Akbayan is one with the administration in pursuing the development of the grassroots communities and local economies, and the improvement of the standards of living of each and every Filipino.

Sincerely yours,

HON. WALDEN BELLO
Akbayan Partylist

Continue reading second part is here.

PCIJ Sidebar. Triggers and Barriers to Access. 1 May 2011

Indeed, a year has passed since the elections and Freedom of Information Bill is still hanging. Malou Mangahas sent me an email about the the FOI Bill. I wrote about President Aquino’s indecisive leadership and tried to refresh his memory on his promises.

Malou Mangahas is once again renewing efforts to have the FOI bill passed. This is what she emailed editors.

“At about this time last year, we wrote you on behalf of the 160 organizations that comprise the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition to request your urgent and vigorous support for our 15-year joint effort to have the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act passed into law.

We write again to solicit your cooperation and participation to restart and recharge this campaign. After all, on June 6, 2010, then President-Elect Benigno Simeon Aquino III had explicitly sworn that he and his administration would champion and assure its passage.

By all indications, however, we are likely to meet with disappointment, unless we act all together once more to remind the Aquino administration that it must deliver on its promise.

Three letters, no results

Over the last 12 months, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition has taken the path of principled cooperation with the Aquino government on the FOI Act.

Since Mr. Aquino was elected president, the Coalition has already moved three letters of appeal to him and his Cabinet members so they may publicly support, endorse, and help assure the passage of the FOI Act. Three times already, too, we have failed to receive any substantial positive feedback from the government on our appeal.

On May 26, 2010 or just two weeks after elections, the Coalition in a letter asked then presumptive President Aquino to lend a decisive voice to convince the leaders of the 14th Congress to immediately act on the bicameral conference committee report on the FOI bill. He did not speak out.

The members of the House of Representatives said they could not vote on the bill on their last session day because there was no quorum, even as we actually documented the contrary.

Suffice it to say that while the House of the 14th Congress mocked and cheated us, we comforted ourselves with the thought that no less than President Aquino himself had guaranteed that he would stand foursquare behind the FOI Act.

On June 16, 2010, asked by reporters whether he would assign priority to the FOI Act once he becomes President, he replied: “Yes. Iba pa rin ‘yung may force of law (It would be better if there is the force of law). That would be, I think, the more complete route.”

This statement inspired the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition to write him a second letter on July 20, 2010, this time to appeal for the inclusion of the FOI bill among the legislative measures on his priority list for the debut state-of-the-nation address that he was to deliver to the 15th Congress days later. Not a word or whimper was heard from him about the FOI Act.

Finally on February 2, 2011, the Coalition wrote Mr. Aquino a third time to exhort him to enroll the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in his Priority Measures for consideration by Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC. Yet again, that did not happen.

Three times the Coalition has filed its appeal in letters, and several other times, in meetings with the Cabinet members and leaders of the President’s Liberal Party-led majority coalition in the House of Representatives. In all those times, our appeals seem to have fallen on deaf ears. We have yet to receive any manner or form of what could be considered a favorable response from the Aquino administration about the FOI bill.

Idle in Congress committees

Needless to say, we must take to task the lawmakers who could and should have acted on their own on the FOI bill, despite or even in spite of the absence of any official statements from Malacañang on the matter.

To be sure, in the 15th Congress, separate FOI bills have been filed but to this day they remain pending in the respective committees on Public Information of the Senate (chaired by Sen. Gregorio Honasan) and in the House of Representatives (chaired by Samar Rep. Ben Evardone).

The House committee has conducted public hearings and convened a Technical Working Group on the FOI bill, in which the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition has been asked to assist. The committee is supposed to hold one more public hearing before it is reportedly scheduled to submit the FOI bill to the House plenary. These events happened between November 2010 and early February 2011 but no further developments have happened since.

The Senate committee, for its part, has conducted one public hearing on the FOI bill even ahead of the House. However, this was by far the only action that has happened in the Senate concerning the FOI bill.

On parallel track, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition has also conducted dialogues with the secretaries of the Communication Group of the President. A 10-person delegation of the Coalition discussed the FOI bill at length at one such meeting in February 2011 with Secretaries Ricky Carandang and Sonny Coloma, and Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III.

Executive ‘concerns’

During that meeting, the secretaries assured the Coalition that they would endorse the FOI bill for inclusion in the list of priority bills that the President was to submit to Congress. At the same time, they voiced certain “concerns” about the FOI bill that certain unnamed Cabinet members have reportedly raised, including

• Balancing the public’s right to know with the need to protect documents that are covered by the “deliberative process” of policy-making and governance;
• “Privacy” issues affecting public officials;
• The administrative burden on civil servants that the FOI bill may impose;
• What mechanisms or agencies would assess reasons for denial of requests; and
• The penalties and fines that the proposed law may impose on public officials who will deny requests for access to documents

.

All these “concerns” have reportedly been referred to an “inter-agency committee” that Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang has convened so these could be discussed with the appropriate executive departments and committees on public information of Congress.

To this day, however, whether or not that committee has been formally convened, what mandate it has secured, and within what timetable it must finish its work are details that have not been disclosed by Malacañang.

Locked in inertia

Given these developments, two things seem apparent. One, the FOI bill seems to be locked in inertia and drift under the Aquino administration. Two, the lack progress in the legislative work and the deafening silence on the FOI bill on the part of both Congress and the executive branch are happening after the Liberal Party of President Aquino has taken over as the administration party and the ruling coalition in Congress.

Curiously, the LP-led majority coalition in the 15th Congress could not make the FOI bill move with as much energy and resolve as they had demonstrated for it in the 14th Congress. And that was when they were fewer in numbers and less powerful as members of the opposition minority.

The biggest irony of all is that this is happening under an administration that has sworn to promote transparency, accountability and good governance, the avowed bedrock principles of its “Social Contract with the Filipino People.”

Today, the FOI bill has been consigned to a state of limbo. It has achieved no progress or breakthrough in the last 12 months. Most tragic of all, it has become an orphaned cause, a bill without fathers, mothers and friends, or strong advocates and champions, in the Aquino administration. And if it has any true supporters at all, they have yet to come out.

The first regular session of the 15th Congress will close on June 9, 2011, and very soon, the jockeying for positions for the 2013 elections will be upon us. Yet still, the FOI bill remains stalled in the respective committees on public information of the Senate and House of Representatives.

We believe that a key reason for the lack of progress on the FOI bill in both chambers is the perceived lack of decisive support for it from the Executive branch, and in particular, from the President.

FOI Forum, May 2, Monday

On Monday, May 2, eve of World Press Freedom Day, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition will file a fourth letter to President Aquino and hold a press forum to signal its renewed effort to campaign for the FOI Act.

This forum dubbed “One Year After the Elections: Where’s the FOI?”, will be held from 9 am to 12 noon at Dulcinea Restaurant on Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City.

An all-media working lunch session with reporters, editors, news managers, columnists and anchors from print, broadcast and online media will follow at the same venue.

The situation seems so uncertain for a piece of legislation so important to press freedom and good governance, it seems like we must all help as journalists and citizens to make sure the FOI bill is enacted into law very soon.

It seems like we must all act now and add our voices, goodwill, time and effort to make another vigorous push for the FOI bill..”

Tomorrow, there will be a solid plan of action. We will sit down and discuss how we can do, separately or together but simultaneously, various appropriate activities to convince the 15th Congress and the President to enact the FOI Bill.