September 05, 2004

The Philippine STAR, Opinion Page

Missed Opportunities of

Philippine Presidents

By Babe Romualdez

Philippine history is replete with what the Americans call, "Could have, should have and would have."  As the contemplatives have observed, regret over the past and dread over the future rob us of right action in the present. Since we gained our independence in 1946, Philippine presidents have missed opportunities to move this country forward.

Some ascribe these to fate or to intervening factors.  At the end of the day, the presidents just did not recognize opportunities at first sight.  Early on, during Joseph Estrada's term, I told him that he was a member of an exclusive club of 13.  Not many Filipinos could ever even dream of having the privilege of making history.  Unfortunately, not too long after, Erap Estrada became history.

Manuel Roxas, the first president of an independent Philippine Republic, had the opportunity to do something for the country.  He obtained rehabilitation funds from the US, but was forced to cede 23 bases, including Clark and Subic, in return for 99-year leases.  Ironically, he suddenly died of a heart attack while delivering a speech at Clark Field on April 12,1948.

Elpidio Quirino, who succeeded Roxas, was not on the good side of the Americans because of the increasing corruption in his government and his inability to curb the growing Huk insurgency.  He tried to stand up to the Americans, but this ultimately resulted in Pres. Harry Truman's withdrawal of support for him. 

To many, including myself, Ramon Magsaysay was probably the best president this country has ever had.  Without a doubt, "The Guy" had charisma, the common touch, honesty and integrity.  With the full support of the Americans, particularly the CIA, Ramon Magsaysay's political career rose quickly. 

RM, who was a former mechanic supervisor of his in-law's bus company, forestalled a Communist takeover.  In the process, he became the most revered president of our country.  He was the champion of the masses and the common folks simply loved him.  He was so righteous that he ordered all Cabinet members and aides not to help any of his relatives. 

One story that I heard was when Magsaysay found out that his Defense Undersecretary Jose M. Crisol helped the First Lady's nephew get a foreign scholarship using the Malacañang connection—he fired Crisol on the spot.  Had he served for two full terms, RM would have institutionalized the leadership-by-example management style that would have cut corruption extensively in government.  Unfortunately, he died in a plane crash in Cebu on March 17,1957. 

Vice President Carlos P. Garcia took over and went on to become president that same year.  He anchored his administration to an austerity program.  To Garcia's credit, he started the Filipino First Policy, which heavily favored Filipino businessmen against foreign investors.  Widespread corruption finally brought him down.  As Garcia became unpopular, even among his supporters, he was soundly defeated by Diosdado Macapagal in 1961.  

Diosdado Macapagal, affectionately called Cong Dadong, changed the July 4 Independence Day celebration to June 12 in a fit of pique at the United States.  He focused on fighting graft and corruption in his government.  Taking the advice of his rich supporters, the economics major allowed the peso to float, which ultimately bled the government treasury of millions during his administration.  

His attempts to initiate reforms were derailed by the Nacionalistas who controlled both the Senate and the House of Representatives.  His agrarian reform policies infuriated the elite while the poor became frustrated at his inability to enforce them.  He had a lot of good ideas, but it did not materialize because it was just way ahead of its time.

In 1965, Ferdinand E. Marcos promised to make the country great again.  Having raised expectations and hope, FM built a lot of infrastructure and gained the country rice self-sufficiency by 1969.  After a turbulent term and a half, FM declared Martial Law with tacit US support.  By the end of 1972, the autocrat had the opportunity to make the necessary reforms just like Lee Kuan Yew, but was ultimately deposed—perhaps because of hubris.

The best way I know that can describe Marcos' era was a story related to me by our Publisher Max Soliven.  Early on, when they were in jail at Fort Bonifacio, he told Ninoy Aquino, "You're such a romantic, Ninoy.  You think people will rise up against Marcos and save us.  I think we are going to be here for the long haul." To which Ninoy replied, "You're probably right, Max.  If Marcos succeeds in making the right reforms, the people will probably forget us."  The rest, as they say, is history. 

Cory Aquino had a great opportunity to maintain a revolutionary government long enough to be able to introduce many drastic reforms.  Because of her immense popularity both here and abroad, no one would have questioned her decisions.  That was another missed opportunity.  Thus, the defects of the 1987 Constitution still holds sway today.  FVR wanted to change it, but people misconstrued his Cha-Cha initiative as a ruse to stay in power like his cousin.

And then there was Joseph Estrada who had the rare opportunity to make a difference because he was immensely popular with the masa.  They literally believed his slogan—Erap Para sa Mahirap.  With his charisma, he could have bridged the gap between the rich and the poor because he really knew how to charm and convince both.  As a matter of fact, early on, the elite was willing to give him a chance, but he blew it.  His wrong choice of friends ultimately drove him out of power. 

Today, GMA, the 14th member of this exclusive President's Club, is the leader of this country at its most difficult and trying period.  She can either make or break this country.  Obviously, the budget deficit, the huge debt, the growing population, among other challenges, would be the greatest tests of her leadership.  Her candidness over the fiscal crisis has opened the floodgates for people wanting to do their part in helping the country.

Hopefully, this momentum will continue.  I remember telling GMA shortly before elections at a dinner hosted by the Aboitizes in Cebu that it seemed the confluence of events was leading her victory.  FPJ's popularity was then losing steam.  It was now a matter of destiny for her.  Instead of being history, she now has the opportunity to make history.  

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