Such is the nature of democracy. He got around 30% of the vote. So be it. He won.
For those that believe such as I, we need to make sure that Mr. Aquino sticks to his campaign promises. We need to make sure that he should he slip up… we need to call it to his attention. Sure, we need to give him a chance. But he still needs to earn our trust.
After I wrote my original blog post “Why?” I went on the net searching for reasons to vote for or against Noynoy… from whatever online material there was… articles, blogs, etc. What I found was interesting.
When you search for bloggers who support Noynoy, there is a common thread in their reasoning. They all say one of two things: a) he is the son of Ninoy and Cory and will carry on the Aquino legacy. b) He is honest and will put an end to corruption. And when you go to the main Noynoy support page, http://noynoy.ph, very blatant is the battle cry “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap!” (we’ll get back to this).
When you search for bloggers who do not support Noynoy, there too is a common thread in reasoning. Ultimately, it is the same as my original blog post. That he has no experience for the job of President of the Philippines. (Just to a search on Bing or Google and you will find the same line of thinking).
I am not going to rant over the qualifications again. I did enough of that on the first post. I was bothered by the battle cry “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap!” I had gone through the noynoy.ph website in search for clarification and details on such an ambitious task. I could not find specifics on how they would accomplish the task. So one needs to wonder, how would they pull this off. Can his being honest help eradicate corruption in government and in turn eliminate poverty?
I came across an excellent article which does tackle this issue (and a few others). Once again, food for thought.
http://wazupdrake.blogspot.com/2010/04/12-reasons-why-i-wont-vote-noynoy-for.html
With only a few days before the elections I am someone troubled by how the campaign is turning out. Forget all the mudslinging on C5, Luisita, who is poorer, or who is certified crazy. I am bothered by the perception of people over what their criteria is to install someone into the highest office of the land.
I am not affiliated with any political party or part of any campaign (although a friend of mine tried to get me to help out with the Noynoy Campaign, I backed out after one meeting). This is not an attempt to smear anyone. I am merely a proud Filipino concerned about why Filipinos are voting for one specific candidate: Noynoy Aquino.
I am not against him. I do not question his honesty and sincerity. I am sure he is probably an honest man with honest intentions. But I do question his qualifications. What makes him fit to run the country? It is bad enough that the government is in such disarray, corruption is everywhere, our economy isn’t as great as it could be. With all the problems we have. We need someone with a vision. Someone with a clear plan. Today, it seems all we have in Noynoy is a dream and a promise… but nothing else to support it. Remember… dreams remain dreams unless acted upon.
Qualifications
I recently came across this from someone’s status on Facebook https://learningtagalog.com/ph/2010pc.html it is a comprehensive comparison of the different candidates. I had seen a simpler version of this over the weeks. This one has more facts to consider.
Looking at this it is very clear that Noynoy has hardly done anything to even merit the nomination for President.
Just like with any job interview, your resume of past achievements tells your prospective employer that you are fit for the job based on what you have done. The positions you have had tell a manager that you are up task for the position that is open. What has Noynoy done? Let us review his resume.
He was an assistant for retail sales supervisor and promotions at Nike… and then an assistant for advertising at Mondragon. He was an assistant? And looking at his resume his stint was only 1 year at each company. Hardly something worth building experience on.
Next, it states that he was a Vice President and Treasurer. WOW! That is a notable improvement. But is for a family owned business. And it was a security guard agency? Hmmm that certainly gives him credibility to be Commander-In-Chief of the Philippine Armed Forces (sarcasm if you didn’t recognize it). At least he was at this security guard firm for 7 years.
Next he spent 3 years as an executive assistant at the family-owned sugar company. Executive Assistant? Assistant nanaman? And let me point out again… “family-owned business.”
Next he was a field-services manager. Has the word “manager” there, but what could you do in a sugar field? Doesn’t sound to impressive. He spends 2 years at this post.
Then he gets his break… he is a Congressman from 1998-2007. And then Senator from 2007-2010. That is 12 years as a lawmaker.
He is a “law maker” during these 12 years. His job is to MAKE LAWS. Duh! We know as a fact that Noynoy does not have a single law passed into law. In 12 years… what did he do? I could find about anything he has done in 9 years as congressman. In http://noynoy.ph section on “The Truth About Noynoy” they refute that he did not author any bills… they proudly list 9 bills authored by the Senator. (they proudly talk about it here: http://noynoy.ph/anti-smear/issue/wala-ba-talagang-nagawa-si-noynoy-sa-lehislatura.html)
Ok. He authored 9 bills. But me reiterate… number of bills passed into law. NONE. ZERO. NADA.
There is a photo circulating around that at least Lito Lapid, with 117 Bills Authored. One gets passed into law. And that, is Lito Lapid.
Back to Noynoy.
Noynoy supporters say in his website:
Senator Aquino’s legislative record is filled with bills that push for transparency, accountability, curbing corruption and leveling the playing field so that special relationships do not take precedence over quality public service. A good lawmaker must not be judged solely on the number of laws penned, but the quality of these laws in the interest of the public good. Congress is a democratic institution that is also meant to guard against government excesses. Aquino believes we already have many good laws, and what is needed is proper enforcement.
Let us break that apart.
Senator Aquino’s legislative record is filled with bills that push for transparency, accountability, curbing corruption and leveling the playing field so that special relationships do not take precedence over quality public service
BUT STILL… No matter how well intentioned these are, wala pang pumasa!
A good lawmaker must not be judged solely on the number of laws penned, but the quality of these laws in the interest of the public good.
Ok, pero wala pa rin pumasa.
Congress is a democratic institution that is also meant to guard against government excesses. Aquino believes we already have many good laws, and what is needed is proper enforcement.
What are they saying? He didn’t write much because there are already good laws. Sounds like an excuse to me. What matters is. Wala pa rin pumasa. There is no LAW – actual law, not a bill – which he can claim is his own.
Needs proper enforcement? HE IS/WAS A LAW-MAKER. Not a Law Enforcer! Is he saying he was in the wrong job for 12 years?
The noynoy.ph website talks so proudly about the great bills he has authored. But those DO NOT mean a thing unless passed into law.
What does that mean? He doesn’t have the political clout to lobby for his bills. He can’t convince his colleagues to discuss, vote, and pass his bills. How effective will he be as president?
He said he spent his time in the legislature as a fiscalizer (http://noynoy.ph/anti-smear/issue/maliban-sa-paggawa-ng-batas-ano-pa-ang-mga-responsibilidad-ni-noynoy-bilang-kongresista-at-senador.html) so in short all he did was complain… complain… complain. If you read the website it tells us he voted “no” here and there, issues he “participated” in or where some senators resisted… but nothing really lead by him. Ok, he asserted his 1 vote… but where was the active role? I do not recall anything in 12 years where he stood up against a major issue. I he had, I don’t remember it… if I didn’t perhaps it wasn’t that significant.
Finally, “the truth about Noynoy” makes the argument very proudly:
‘Character is strength’
In reply to criticism that Senator Aquino’s legislative record reflects a weak leadership, Villacorta says “the next president must not only be incorruptible but must have the audacity to dismiss corrupt officials and file charges against them” in order to solve the rampant corruption and wrenching poverty.
“Character is Noynoy’s strength. His character embodies his parents’ legacy: integrity, decency, commitment to democracy and people’s welfare, a modest lifestyle,” writes Villacorta.
“He can have this courage and determination only if he has had an unblemished record of public service and has not violated any law. Fortunately, we have found a leader with a clear moral compass.”
Nice. But CHARACTER ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH. He has not done much. Ok, he has strong character. Ok he has courage. Ok, he is moral. No one is disputing that… well not me. But so what? We need action. It is not enough that he is a moral incorruptible person of strong character. Does he exercise it? What has he done?
Not Qualified
This is what gets me. I don’t see what qualifications he has from his years of experience from the post Ninoy period 1985-2010 which tells me he can run a country. He was never even a manager in his private life. He didn’t run a company… how is he going to run a country? Again, ok fine. He is a good person. But so what If he has done nothing? Isn’t there that saying that goes… “the only thing needed for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing?”
Noynoy’s Platform
Another thing that annoys me about the Noynoy Campaign is that they are just negative. Their only platform is that “We are not GMA, We are not Villar.” The do nothing but accuse other people of wrong doing and do nothing to really promote themselves except by saying “we are good, they are evil”
You can read it here: http://www.noynoy.ph/v3/platform.php
As for an actual platform. If you read the Action Plans section, they don’t really do a good job of giving specifics. I have heard the plans of some of the other candidates and at least they have plans.
Ninoy and Cory
I really don’t want to dwell into comparisons to Ninoy and Cory. They did what they did against Ferdinand Marcos. Ninoy gave up his life and Cory was a symbol of freedom and hope. And while I agree that Cory’s administration wasn’t that great, that was a different time in history. So “in fairness” should not be compared today.
Given that supporters should stop making comparisons to the legacy of Ninoy and Cory. Noynoy is not his father, and is certainly not his mother.
Let us judge him for what he alone has done. Not what his father has done, and not was his mother has done. (and if I may, not even what his sister has done)
He is an inspiration daw
This is one of the strangest lines of reasoning from my Noynoy supporter friends. They say we need someone to unite the people, to inspire us all. I agree with need it. But I disagree with the reason for two reasons.
Advisers
They say… ok kung wala siyang experience, may mga advisers naman. Do we really want that? The buck stops at the president. Every decision will be and should ultimately be his.
Being good is not enough
Noynoy is probably a good guy. A moral guy. I have no issue with morals, character, integrity.
I am only concerned about his qualifications. Based on what I have read, based on what I have heard. He is not qualified.
Vote for whom YOU believe
I will admit it. For the past few months, it seemed very binary. Either you were for corruption or you were not. If you didn’t go for Noynoy, you are for corruption. Kung si Villar, GMA din yon. Gibo’s earlier repuation was… tao ni GMA yan… papalitan ang constitution para magaing Prime Minister si GMA. Tapos si Gordon daw… pinasok ni GMA para kumuha ng boto galing kay Noynoy.
That is how it was. The press ate it up.
While I was never for Noynoy, friends left and right would talk about voting for Noynoy and helping the campaign. I have many friends who are with the campaign and as I said earlier a friend asked me to help out.
Honestly, nahiya ako to say NO nung una. I didn’t want to go against the forces of right. Or that is how it seemed. It was fashionable to support Noynoy, all the cool people seemed to support Noynoy.
As time moved on, I found more people who were like me. People who were for some other candidate. But were embarrassed to admit they were not supporting Noynoy. People who supported Gordon on Gibo felt they just keep their support quiet for now. And yes, even people who believed in Villar felt that they would be ridiculed if they admitted their true candidate.
IS THAT THE NATURE OF DEMOCRACY? Hell no! Democracy tells gives us the right and the freedom for whom you believe in. Even if it is against the popular sentiment.
Sayang boto mo
This is what I hate the most. Noynoy supporters telling me that if I do not vote for Noynoy, sayang lang dahil mananalo si Villar. Kaya vote nalang kay Noynoy. Tama ba yan? You vote for someone just so that the candidate you don’t want to win won’t win? Wouldn’t that be an insult to Noynoy?
Parang… “Noynoy, ayaw ko talaga sa yo, pero ayaw ko lang manalo si Villar, so kahit gusto ko iba, sige ikaw nalang.”
Sounds wrong so wrong.
If everyone voted that way, then the true candidate of the people will never win because they want to vote for someone who will win rather than who they want to win. Kung lahat ng tao, bumoto sa talagang gusto nila… doon lang natin makikita ang talagang mananalo.
My vote is my vote. It is MY right to sufferage. I want to vote whom I believe in, whether or not that candidate will win. That is the essence of the democratic system. So what kung hindi mananalo candidate ko? I will still vote for him. And who knows… baka ikaw ang mali.
This is why these polls that state Noynoy’s lead are just wrong. They are appealing to the people who don’t want to vote for a losing candidate. They want the good, proud feeling of voting for the winner. That is wrong.
If the candidate winning in the polls is ahead… so he is ahead already, he doesn’t need your vote na. Who knows? What if the polls were wrong. And if we voted for whom we believed, maybe they have a real chance.
I get it
I get it… I really do.
I get why people want to vote for Noynoy. Because they are sick of GMA. They want an anti-GMA. They want someone who won’t steal. They want someone to make them… to make the Filipino people feel good again. They way Cory did… when she lived, and again when she died.
I get it.
Yes, Noynoy is not GMA. But Noynoy is not Cory.
And the times are different from they way things were in 1986. It isn’t Cory vs. Marcos anymore. The issues are different.
I want action. I want someone with a real vision, not promises and hopes. That person is not Noynoy Aquino.
He might be able to do it. Who knows. But because of his paulty job experience and background… I have nothing to go on. Am I just to trust him based on his family name? Because of who his parents are? My education taught me not to judge someone because of the actions of his parents… I do so here.
No Hire
Thank you for coming to the interview Noynoy. I look at your resume Noynoy, and I am sorry, You do not have the skills I am looking for for the open position of President of the Philippines. I am looking for someone with a little more experience in Management Skills, People Skills, and Negotiation Skills. The skill set listed in your resume are fine. Please do keep it up, and see us again in maybe six years. Thank you and good luck…
Next candidate please!
Final Thoughts
This blog post is not to suggest any other candidate. Those who have seen my Facebook profile know who I support.
My point is that I cannot, in good conscience, vote for Noynoy Aquino.
Yes. my vote counts. and I will not vote for Noynoy Aquino.
