The Philippine Online Chronicles

It has been twenty four years since a non-violent People Power revolution swept across this nation. It was a moment filled with hope and much promise. It was a revolution that a year later, swept aside the Fourth Republic and with the birth of the 1987 Constitution, ushered in the Fifth Republic that continues on to this day, in a nation that celebrates its 102nd birthday.

Though our nation has been spared such violent birth, it has been a long and exhausting road from there to here. History tells us that it is old hurts and deep wounds, and self-interest that shattered Hope of those opening days. When the honeymoon was over, our People found themselves wondering, where did the magic go?

The Fifth President of the Fifth Republic together with a Vice President was proclaimed by the 14th Congress. Noynoy Aquino is the son of that icon that ushered in the Fifth Republic. And his Vice President, Jejomar Binay, was a staunch supporter of his mother. Though the roads that led them to this moment in history have been separate, the linage is there.

It is a startling dichotomy.

Noynoy Aquino represents the future. His first conference, a great departure from the past ten years. It was candid and transparent. He showed strength. He was benevolent, but strict in handling his press conference. In a nutshell, he was commander and he was president.

Jejomar Binay represents the old guard. He was yellow. Though from a different political party, the bind is strong. So strong that it rattled the Roxas campaign. So strong that it seemed in the closing days of the campaign, the Yellows were fighting amongst themselves that party lines were blurred. Binay is the old guard that came to power in 1986 and to this day is one of the most successful of politicians. Who can recall if there was anyone other than a Binay who has ruled the City of Makati since 1986?

Aquino appeals to the higher classes. Binay has mastered the art of being populist. The startling dichotomy of their election solidifies the tragedy of commons that seems to say, “we voted hope voted in, with cautious optimism in tow.”

The question now is, can they work together? What is the level of trust that exists? Give Binay too loose a leash, would he and his backers stab back? Give Binay too tight a leash, can you put a measure of control? Will Jejomar Binay be a Doy Laurel?

Should Aquino give Binay the position of Department of Interior and Local Government, which the Vice President is most qualified to run, does that translate then to giving Binay too much free reign or does that translate to putting Binay to good use? The DILG position without doubt gives Binay an even bigger stepping stone for the presidency six years later.

How then will that wound be bound?

The order of business is transforming a campaign into the government. The order is moving from being the Opposition to being the Administration and it comes with a different sort of terrain.

It is a difficult move--- for all sides. Why do you think Norberto Gonzales and Nograles are in such sorry state? Why do you think Noynoy Aquino is grasping at straws to keep some private things, private--- like where he’ll sleep, when is he going to stop smoking, and when is the wedding?

During his post proclamation press conference, Noynoy Aquino was asked several times what was his first order of business. The quick answer was “determining the state of the nation.” It was a consistent answer which dates back to the beginning of the campaign.

It is quite easy to determine in general terms that the Philippines has a severe problem on failing institutions, a growing deficit and high unemployment. You can gleam these facts by visiting the NEDA website, by looking at external references such as The Global Competitiveness Report and you can gleam some insight by looking at the poor state of ordinary Filipinos downing in inflation.

It is also another thing to know the exact number of deals the previous administration entered into. What sort of fiscal position the government is in. In short an assessment of the state of the government is not farfetched.

This is no different from a doctor looking at a sick patient. He knows the patient is sick, but needs instruments and references to find out exactly what sort of treatment he will use. The doctor will need the patient undergo all sorts of examination.

On the first day of office, this is what Aquino and Binay are going to do: begin a through examination of the patient to find the cure.

The condition of the Senate and the House of Representatives is likewise at an issue.

Someone jokingly mentioned that the Election of Binay to the Vice Presidency means the merging of the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Makati. The move of the office of the Vice President to the old city hall of Makati is a symbolism of that.

At the beginning of the campaign, those opposed to Aquino kept saying that he was being branded as a Messiah. Aquino was the silver bullet that would save us all. In many ways, it wasn’t so much that Aquino was branded as a savior, but it is his detractors and the ordinary people who seem to think that he is.

It is hard pressed not to say that our national life isn’t a Tragedy of Commons. The election of Binay, Marcos and the subsequent defeat of Liberal Party members in Congress basically makes an already impossible job for Aquino even more difficult.

Is it a setup to fail?

Is it a setup to be forged in fire?

This is the yellow sun in brightest day. Tragedy of commons or not; hope may have been voted in with cautious optimism in tow that hardly matters in a world when we must remember that it isn’t simply to ask what Aquino and Binay can do for us, but what we can do for ourselves.

The people have uttered; their choice is clear. They have chosen to be better than who we were, and they desire that their will be done. What’s next is to get on with the business of remaking the nation.

This is bigger than either Noynoy Aquino and Jejomar Binay.

This is bigger than you or I.

This is now the opportunity to let the Soul of the Filipino find utterance.

This is why we take what is given, we do what we must.

This is the Age of PNoy.

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Screenshot is Blog Watch stock photo.