CHAFF FROM THE GRAIN

Hector RR Villanueva “Power is the great aphrodisiac.” – Henry Kissinger Having failed to amend the Constitution and shift to a parliamentary form of government, the best option to achieve continuity and stay in power is for PRRD to run for the vice presidency with a compatible and like-minded future President elect. The importance of continuity of administration, consistency of policies, reforms and sustainable economic growth cannot be overemphasized over solely partisan politics. Thus, the emergence of the “DU30 PA RIN” movement and the endorsement of the PDP Laban of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for Vice President, if legally feasible, is the way to go if the objective is to achieve continuity, and not strictly the naked pursuit of power or to erode accountability. If President Rody Duterte believes in what he is doing and wants to continue with what he is doing, why not indeed run for another public office? In several outstanding continuous leadership and administration that lasted from ten years, two decades, or more, the success has resulted in political stability, industrial development and prosperity. Among the notable examples that easily come to mind will be the former PM Margaret Thatcher of UK and the current German Chancellor Angel Merkel. In Asia, the two phenomenal examples are theindustrialization of Singapore under the legendary and long leadership of Lee KuanYew and the equally long tenure PM Mahathir Mohammed of Malaysia. In India and Japan, for instance, continuous same political party leadership also resulted in rapid development and technology. Communist Cuba, under Fidel Castro, safeguarded its independence and internal development for 50 years for a nation that is just 90 miles to Florida. In moving forward, this country should shun celebrities, dynasties and ambitious wannabes and focus instead on a leader who will provide continuity, consistency, honesty, stability and sustainability. First, while pursuing these objectives, there is also a need to modify, subordinate and relegate certain obsessions of the past, such as, narcotics, corruption and criminality without abandoning them, as those evils are seemingly endless, unconquerable and time consuming. Hence, focus should be on re-opening the economy, structural reform, population control, job generation, and moral reformation. Second, while the COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered our way of life, and business practices, presidential rivals and ambitious politicians will have to offer concrete plans that will not only guarantee continuity but also a game changing reformist agenda for the next generation. It does not necessarily have to be Rodrigo Roa Duterte. You be the judge.

#The importance of continuity

The importance of continuity