CHAFF FROM THE GRAIN
“We haven’t the time to take our time.” – Eugene Ionesco
Hector RR Villanueva
The economic managers are hedging and preparing the mind of the public that economic recovery and going back pandemic normalcy will be a long time in coming and uncertain.
And, our procurement of the vaccines, like inflows of foreign investments, is lagging behind our ASEAN neighbours.
Nonetheless, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has accomplished numerous physical changes, such as infrastructure modernization of the armed services, upgrading of salaries of public servants, passage of financial stimulus to the needy, expanding foreign relations and maintaining political stability.
However, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has yet to achieve, as his main legacy, fundamental reformation and transformation of ethical values, honesty, altruism, nationalism, and inclusivity
In other words, are the Filipino people under President Duterte, more honest today than yesterday?
Are we more caring today than yesterday?
In moving forward, these concerns have to be addressed and internalized.
While there have been impressive and lasting physical changes and innovations, the political system has remained the same and immutable; business remains elitist and oligarchic; moral and ethical values have much to be desired.
Thus, this is the other half of leadership mandate that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has to address and attempt to transform or reform.
Unfortunately, reforms remain a work in progress and indeterminate whether it be the elimination of drug trafficking or corruption or criminality.
In the meantime, the Filipino people need President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to hold the nation together and rally the people against the coronavirus pandemic.
Nonetheless, this country needs a game changer and consistency.
Truth to tell, the coronavirus pandemic and the economic recession are a wakeup call for reforms and “thinking out of the box.”
But, as an English proverb puts it, “time and tide wait for no man.”
With his supermajority in the House of Representatives and solid majority in the Senate, it is not too late for President Rodrigo road Duterte to be a game changer and progressive reformer.
At the end of the day, will President Rodrigo Roa Duterte be satisfied with the physical changes and improvements, or will he leave a reformed and transformed society of honest, altruistic, and caring citizenry?
What will it be?
You be the judge.