The Aquino administration is by far the best compare to its predecessors in terms of country’s economic performance and clean government policies. The Philippines suffered two consecutive corrupt administration; who would forget the midnight cabinet of President Estrada, and fertilizer funds scam of the infamous Arroyo administration. It won’t be a surprise to tell that after an alleged corruption in the government, the economy will suffer too, because investors wont trust any corrupt government. Need not to say more about the embezzlement of funds occurred before Aquino’s administration. The “daang matuwid”campaign maxim of Aquino was popularized as an effective alternative at that moment.
Philippines - Fastest growing economy in Asia.
After severe debts, and stagnation of Philippine economy the Aquino administration manage to increases the country’s Gross domestic Product in 6.9 percent. According to Karl Kendrick Chua, world bank senior economist for the Philippines, macroeconomics and proper budget allocation was the strength of the administration to achieve such tremendous growth in economy. Aside from that, managing the inflation in check give edge for a prosperous economy. More and more investors came into the Philippines to do business, as the Aquino administration managed to lower down the risk perception of the Philippines in global business, and increase the credit rating of the Philippines in the global market. Contrary to popular belief, not only oligarchs felt the economic growth, sin tax law was promulgated to acquire profit for the government, and promote the health of the citizens. The conditional cash transfer lifted 7.7 million people from poverty, according to Chua.
The Daang Matuwid- Corruption Crusade.
Who would not remember the no “wang-wang” policy of Aquino administration? On Verba Legis, it means to prohibit indiscriminate use of sirens. But on other side of the coin, its signifies that the people is sovereign. The country became a global stage as it conducted the fist impeachment of Chief Justice for betrayal of public trust. And former president Gloria Arroyo was arrested for corruption charges and election fraud. The fight for clean government was unstoppable as it bring corrupt senators in jail, these people before Aquino administration were untouchables, but their days came into end. Estrada,Enrile and, Revillia, was litigated in the name of the people of the Philippines. The government was able to recollect stolen properties of the Filipinos from Marcos family. On 2016 the report of Think Tank Political and Economic Risk Consultancy shows the Philippines is the most improved country in corruption from 16 countries they surveyed.
Why it is relevant today?
Look everywhere, corruption became once again a norm in the government. The people suddenly became voiceless as to what they need. The economy descended on its worst level in the last decades, economic recession threaten the dream of a common people for a better living. This was not only because of the health crisis we are experiencing, data shows that before 2020 the Philippine economy is having its worst era. The Aquino Administration is not infallible nor sanctified by gods in heaven. It was vulnerable to human flaws, for democracy allows human nature. It has its worst times, but it gives the country a hope for improvement. The best of Aquino administration is, it did not antagonize the people for using their freedom of expression, it allows democracy to work. The economy had its prosperous time, and most people I know started to trust government bureaucracy. All of things that Aquino administration makes us remember are slowly denying to us. I am not an enabler of Mr. Aquino, nor of his family, but if I were to choose between two evils, I shall say pick the lesser one. At least Mr. Aquino had the decency not to let any of his first family to seek public office on his time.
Political Ideology behind Aquino Administration
It is not new to us that Aquino run under the Liberal Party, a political party that promotes the ideology of liberalism. Good thing about liberalism is, it detest extremist idea of any wing in the Political spectrum. It encourages compromise and conversation. The liberal philosophy was evident in the Aquino administration. It did not seek unnecessary use of military power. In fact, Bangsamoro Basic law was expected to unite our moro brothers in Mindanao. Liberalism proliferated in Aquino Administration, science was the beacon of the country, RH law was enacted; K-12 program revolutionize education system; and science-and-technology-department had their milestones.
Footnotes:
Image derived from: (filipinotimes.net)
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