AS SEEN ON TV
Imperfect Presidency, Perfect President
Cory Aquino’s reign was tumultuous from the start.
Her own running mate Doy Laurel turned against her soon after he won as Vice President and saw no further use for Cory magic. Doy, fondly called “langaw” by Cory fathered post-martial law, “user-friendly opposition” a reality we so prevalently see in Philippine politics today.
The Aquino government was infested with political turncoats, the “balimbings” who walked with Cory in EDSA at first sight of Marcos fallout. And they lined up at once for their reward (a.k.a. seats in the new government) while Cory could not say no.
It is this perceived weakness of the disjointed Aquino government that turned soldiers against the housewife who took the reins of the Armed Forces. The military’s legacy of 7 coups (albeit failed) stomped all economic gains made by the Aquino Administration.
From 1986 to 1992, Cory’s adviser-driven cabinet also clashed constantly, and many times offered not the best options but just options opposite those of rival advisers. Amid the bicker-fest, Cory had to do her homework and make decisions on her own, often with wanting results. Her loan restructuring program for instance, buried the nation deeper in debt.
The 1987 Constitution, a collaborative work of the newly revived congress is an amalgamation of various advocacies and political agenda. While it haphazardly gave the country new direction, its lack of flexibility is causing nagging calls for its revision.
Cory was a “battered housewife” as her presidency took a beating from militant groups who used their new found voice (they owe to People Power if I may remind) to criticize her administration. Leftists made Cory the new US puppet (as are all the preceding and succeeding presidents). The activists who mourn her death now were the same ones who burned her edifice alongside presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush in the late 80’s.
Being a Cojuanco was also one of Cory’s congenital liabilities. Her Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program was christened “a failure” from the start. Her umbilical cord with Hacienda Luisita and a throng of other Cojuanco enterprises is suspect, and made her the face of post Marcos protectionism.
The media was just as cruel to Cory, whom they called “Presidentita”, a moniker for her candid smirks and frowns over the most grilling questions from journos. Like activists, media was over zealous with its retrofitted press freedom. They questioned everything and attacked anything, always prompt in judgment and frugal in praise.
But perhaps the biggest anti climax of the Cory years was the atavism of the Filipino people whom after toppling the dictatorship, slid back to their indifferent ways. They distanced themselves from governance when they saw corruption was perennial in government.
So what made Cory work?
She rolled with the punches by respecting the ties that bind power with responsibility. She never abused the presidency. Not for a moment did Cory think that power was absolute. Hence she shared it. She also understood the temporal nature of the presidency. She had to give it up some time and she did so, freely. I still get goose bumps reviewing her last SONA where she said goodbye to the presidency and gave way to her successor. Or am I just used to people taking their word back?
Cory led with decency. Her decision to not to repudiate the mounting financial obligations incurred by the country during the Marcos years was honorable, as much as it was unpopular. Money that could have been spent on food or education was used to extinguish debts. She never lost sight of her basic personal values such as “word of honor”.
Cory championed participatory democracy. There was no vacuum of information and ideas as she welcomed representation and encouraged coalitions of groups and exchange of ideas. This is a taboo with some presidents who are always suspicious of coalitions.
Anyone was free to criticize the government. As a champion for democracy, stifling the press (and even her critics) is not in Cory’s character. The Right of Reply Bill requiring media to provide equal space to public officials perceived to be the aggrieved party in a news story was unthinkable under an Aquino administration.
The controversial Executive Order 464 of late which prevents cabinet members, police and military generals and “such other officers as may be determined by the President” to attend congressional hearings unless the President gives permission is not in synch with an administration which promotes transparency and accountability.
The burden on Cory’s shoulders then was immense. The learning curve for the presidency usually takes a lifetime. That’s why political dynasties exist to train generations of politicians to be leaders.
But Cory turned president from housewife in a snap (of an election) and had to learn everything about being a leader, on the job. It is what Cory made out of her chaotic presidency that makes her the perfect president.