P-Noy on the right path

Congratulations to President Aquino. He is doing the right thing by going after Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions. He cleared one roadblock in forcing Merceditas Gutierrez to resign and replacing her with Conchita Carpio Morales as ombudsman. He’s now on the verge of removing an even bigger obstacle on the daang matuwid with the impeachment and conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

And by opposing the proposed foreign trip of Arroyo, he affirms confidence in Filipino medical practitioners while sending a signal that the days of privileged criminals are numbered. It is hoped that P-Noy can also make the Commission on Elections more aggressive in disqualifying criminal convicts from running for political office. Suspending elective and appointive officials who are facing criminal cases would help cleanse the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

Whether mandated or voluntary, “neutralizing” errant officials—that is, preventing them from wielding power—must be an integral part of the daang matuwid. This will help restore honor to being a public official and stop ordinary citizens from snickering and/or making snide remarks while public officials pass them on the street or in malls. It will also encourage more doers and upright citizens to participate in fair electoral contests.

Against this backdrop, several senator-judges have expressed apprehensions about Ombudsman Morales flexing her powers to perform her mandate. The concerns voiced by some senators actually amplify their worries that statements of assets, liabilities and net worth can now be instruments by which their darkest secrets might be laid bare, especially their unexplained wealth and the corrupt plunder that produced it.

P-Noy, go ahead and clean up ggovernment—and make sure that nobody in your own Cabinet are acting out-of-step with your daang matuwid vision. Don’t listen too much to the worries about the economy: the private sector, especially the overseas Filipino workers, has been taking care of this for decades, moving it forward despite government graft and ineptitude. If you can really provide responsive government, this country can finally be the country of all our dreams. More power to you!

—JOSE OSIAS,

jzosias@gmail.com