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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Son of ChaCha
By Antonio C. Abaya Written Jan. 09, 2008 For the Standard Today, January 10 issue The persistent and insistent clamor � by Malacanang, its political toadies and/or its apologists in media - for Charter Change or ChaCha must be viewed with utmost skepticism and cynicism as it is no more than a maneuver to allow President Arroyo to remain power beyond 2010, as prime minister. Was it on Dec. 30, 2002 or 2003 that President Arroyo announced that she was NOT going to run for re-election in May 2004? Well, I wrote an article on May 22, 2003 entitled She Will Run, and she did. In February 2005, her miniscule party KAMPI held what could hardly be called a party congress � there were less than 40 delegates - and its president, then Congressman, now Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced its ambition to become the dominant political party by 2007�..three years before her non-extendable presidential term ends in June 2010.. I interpreted this as a prelude to a shift to the parliamentary system of government, to allow President Arroyo to remain in power beyond 2010, as prime minister, and I spelled it out in detail in my article of May 17, 2005 entitled Prime Minister Gloria? http://www.geocities.com/dapat_tapatt/primeministergloria.html Well, we know what happened in 2006. There was a People�s Initiative pushed by a pro-parliamentary group, Sigaw ng Bangaw, which supposedly collected more than six million signatures supporting its advocacy. But it was junked by the Supreme Court due to some technical flaws in its process. So also was the shameless maneuver of the Lower House under Speaker Jose de Venecia to convene itself as a constituent assembly, without the participation of the oppositionist Senate, in order to railroad the shift to parliamentary. The shift would have given members of the Lower House three more years in office as members of an interim parliament without need of re-election, and would have given De Venecia the much coveted (by him) post of interim prime minister � his last chance to become head-of-government � until a new parliament would have been elected in 2010, with � who else? � Gloria Arroyo as prime minister. (See my article of Oct. 30, 2006 titled Trapos� Initiative.) http://www.geocities.com/dapat_tapatt/trapos.html So now we come to Son of ChaCha, this time being pushed by the usual suspects without mentioning the magic word parliamentary, which has spawned so much opposition in the past. Sometime last September or October, without anyone asking her about it, President Arroyo came out of the blue and expressed the totally unexpected opinion that we should do the ChaCha so that we have a federal form of government by the year 2012. This seems to have been the opening shot for Son of ChaCha A month or so later, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said in a speech before local government officials that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be abolished as part of constitutional reforms that could be pursued in January 2008. He said the Comelec had become �too corrupt� and had acted as �a major vehicle for cheating� in recent elections. �We have to dissolve the Comelec. And by January, we have to start talking about Charter Change again so we can dissolve the Comelec�.If politics is the greatest threat to our future as a nation, the Comelec is the greatest threat to our democracy. We do not need the kind of Comelec that we have today.� (Standard Today, Nov. 29, 2007) I would have shouted �Bravo, Bert!� were it not for the nagging perception that it was Bert�s own boss, President Gloria, who made the Comelec the �too corrupt� agency and �the greatest threat to our democxracy� that it is today. We do not need ChaCha to clean up Comelec.. All that is needed is for President Arroyo to appoint incorruptible individuals to the commission, and to convincingly and totally investigate the cheating that took place in May 2004, from which she was the main beneficiary. That means allowing the Lower House to complete its investigation of Virgilio Garcillano and his accomplices in the May 2004 cheating, including the bureaucrats and military generals named in the Hello Garci tapes. That also means finally arresting the ever elusive Lintang Bedol, the Comelec factotum who had something to do with mysterious election returns in Maguindanao in 2007, in which administration candidates were the beneficiaries. The only way to reduce, minimize and discourage electoral fraud is to jail the obvious culprits. There is no need the amend the constitution for that purely administrative function.. Less than two weeks after Gonzales� weird advocacy, some admin trapos in the Lower House filed resolutions to amend the constitution on the grounds that it is verbose but short on depth and comprehensiveness, that it contains �ambiguous provisions�, that its so-called nationalist provisions hinder the nation�s march toward political maturity, and all that jazz. (Standard Today, Dec. 11, 2007) Not a word about parliamentary, even though that is the unspoken animus behind all these maneuvers. And then there is the statement by presidential �peace adviser� Jesus Dureza that to get peace talks with the MILF going again, the government may have to resort to Charter Change to allow the establishment of a Bangsamoro federal state in Mindanao. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dec. 30, 2007). Now, President Arroyo herself is claimed (by Dureza) to soon come out in favor of ChaCha for the sole (kuno) purpose of creating a federal state for the Bangsamoro. (Daily Inquirer, Jan. 09, 2008). Apparently emboldened by the show of weakness by the Arroyo government � that it feels the need to amend the constitution just to appease their separatist goals � the MILF has upped the ante and now demands that Palawan be included in their ancestral domain, in addition to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. What will the next demand be? That Metro Manila be included in the Bangsamoro federal state on the grounds that Maynilad was a Muslim outpost when Miguel de Legaspi and Fray Urdaneta �visited� it in the late 16th century? In all these orchestrated �political noises� about doing the ChaCha again, there is no mention at all of shifting to parliamentary. This is deliberate and disingenuous because of the opposition to it during the Arroyo government�s earlier maneuvers in 2006. But there is no doubt in my mind that if and when the idea of ChaCha, for whatever stated justification, is planted and nurtured and made acceptable in the public mind through the forthcoming media blitzes, the usual suspects � the Sigaw ng Bangaw and/or its 2006 accomplice, the ULAP (Uma-asang Laging naka-Angkla sa Poder), or some totally new tuta organization � will sing the expected refrain that, since we are already doing the ChaCha � to abolish the Comelec, to make the constitution shorter but deeper, to remove its nationalist provisos, to appease the Muslim separatists � why don�t we - he he he - also shift to parliamentary? ChaCha. Son of ChaCha. The strategic goal remains the same: GMA Forever! *****. Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Son of ChaCha� GMA and Nora Aunor Benevolent Trapo JDV Jesse Robredo of Naga City Hi Tony, Thanks a lot of your email, looking forward to treat you to a steak dinner in Florida ! May we know who is the most likely winnable candidate of 2010? Villar, Roxas, Golez, De Castro, Legarda, Estrada, Lacson? The opposition should field only one so us not to dilute the votes. God bless you! Blessings, Gerry Garay, (by email), Clermont , Florida , Jan. 10, 2008 (I wish I knew but, as things now stand, it will likely be GMA. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: GMA can cha-cha her way to a prime minister while all her tutas are following licking and slobbering her heels in pure abandon. What a crapola scenario. Only immoral and mindless-bankrupt people can do the evil dance and feel no guilt what so ever. But you know what? I can say this much, a dog, is a dog, is a dog. (I will be civil and not use the b----- word) Sure, a dog can wear sheep's clothing but smells like a rat just the same. Where is the country's priorities in GMA's scheme of things? And how about the Filipino people? Selfish, selfish, selfish. Plain Silly and Don't let it happen. People revolt! Go organize! Don't take any more crap. Oscar .Apostol., (by email), Roseville , CA , Jan. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Hi Tony, you're right on. I, too, have consistently maintained that we're headed that way. The premises are being meticulously laid to justify some form of authoritarian rule to sweep cha-cha with the least possible resistance (violence, terror, economic crisis,, peace settlement, etc). Officially declared authoritarian rule may or may not be necessary, depending on the public's disposition, but it is an option. Anyway, there are other ways of skinning the cat, so to speak, as we can see from its Machiavellian track record, and it will continue to explore the potentials for term extension and push the margins of tolerance. The bottom line is hard power and personal gain, nothing more, nothing less. - Regards, Raffy Alunan, (by email), Jan. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Tony Abaya, With due respect for your contention and fears for CHACHA, I think you have under-estimated the power of the noisy opposition to make a powerful drive against placing a provision disallowing a former chief executive from the old constitution to run for MP. We suggest that a full blown drive to educate the masses about the pros and cons of the suggested provision be fully ventilated before a referendum be taken and an election for MPs be made. All we are asking is for the form of government be changed to be responsive to the exigences of the times. We are left in a bind in the provisions of the current constitution where most of the provisions are parliamentary but the salient structure is presidential. It is a square peg in a round hole. Rest assured that a thorough education of the masses and the equally thorough ventilation of the provisions will make the framers more responsive to the clamors of the masses and the safeguards provided against the abusers of power. This is our only chance to restructure a resposive government rather than go on with a very irresponsible kind of government functionaries ( especially Senate and House of Representative). The party-list system provides for double/multiple representation of sectors in Congress. They have already district representation and they are represented again by sectors. Any big religion can one day dictate to the government it protects to overran any safeguards that the constitution has. I hope you understand my concern and may clarify the issues brought up. Thank you, Edgar S. Tubianosa, [email protected], Jan. 10, 2008 (But who are you, and what organization do you represent, that you can confidently say �Rest assured that�.� Are you in a position to overrule President Arroyo, FG Mike Arroyo, Sec. Ronaldo Puno, and Sec. Edgardo Ermita�.who are the ones who will choreograph the moves in this direction? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, You have been writing that Antonio Meloto of Gawad Kalinga would make a good President and I think I know why. Outside of being scrupulously honest, I think you see him as an excellent manager. High-quality managerial ability has never been the principal characteristic of our Presidents, present and past. It's about time we had a first-rate executive as Chief Executive similar to Paeng Salas, championed by his Salas boys as "the greatest President the Philippines never had." Incidentally, a good number of "Salas boys" became congressmen, Cabinet members, justices, judges, fiscals, journalists and economists. Above all, Salas set a good example. An emerging Salas-like political personality is Jesse Robredo, incumbent Mayor of Naga City who is mentioned in the article below. He may shape up to become President. A thrifty man, Robredo has proven his managerial skills by running a city which is increasingly becoming prosperous during his administration. Of the four outstanding Local Executives cited in the article, he is the only one who does not belong to a political dynasty. Robredo garnered high marks for excellence in all aspects of local governance � fiscal, education, health, social services, civil works, tourism and the environment. But he claims that public confidence was earned through collective effort. His managerial style may be defined as participative planning particularly with the help of the Naga City People's Council made up of non-governmental organizations based in the city. Should we elect a truly reformist President in 2010, Robredo would make an excellent DILG Secretary to erase the department's image as the major political tool the President uses to keep local officials in line. Instead, Robredo will be the inspiration for these officials to exercise maximum self-reliance and efficiency. Jesse Robredo cannot seek re-election as mayor in 2010. I hope you will be able to look up the legacy Robredo will be leaving behind in Naga City and write an article about him. Yours ever, Ben Sanchez, (by email), Jan. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww This is absurd. Gus Cosio, (by email), Jan. 11, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, In my previous article that came out in two Philippine broadsheets I mentioned and quoted what F.G. Mike T. Arroyo said, Filipinos are stupid to believe that his wife PGMA will quit when her term ends in 2010. Gloria, he further said, will stay in power well beyond that year and it is showing in the off and on ChaCha issues. To my mind, if ChaCha doesn't fly the way she wants it... she might use the power of her "magic pen" to sign a Proclamation declaring Martial Law in the Philippines with the help her sip-sip Generals in active duty in both the AFP/PNP whose loyalty to her "PGMA" is just like a dog like loyalty to a master-- not to the Constitution. The power of guns and money might frightened the opposition groups and other groupings such as the professional and career non-conformist becuase PGMA might go ballistic and order her Mister-Generals in their funny looking uniforms to finally put an end to their existence. As most everyone konws, she is needs help and I told her so then, thru Bobbi Tiglao on a matter of different issues. Hopefully, before her 2010 term ends patriotic Filipinos would be angry enough and go full speed ahead and go to the streets in big numbers to oust her from her alleged stolen sit of power not only ones but twice and maybe by then our men in uniform with their similarly angry balls will rise-up from their temporary slamber with their well pressed uniform and newly cleaned and oiled guns with more than enough steal piercing double action bullets and join the oppressed and well abused patriotic Filipinos to protect them from harms and defend the Constitution as our "modern days warriors and modern day heroes" from whatever harms the not so many one ball Gloria's Generals and few brain washed soldiers might inflict on them. We need change and our fighting modern day warriors together with our patriotic Filipinos can effect this much needed change. From the Western Front. Mike M. Moreno, (by email), Richmond , BC , Canada , Jan. 11, 2008 Chair-Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, A Blessed and a Happy New Year to you, your family and your staff! In revealing the maneuverings of powerful politicians in the government, even mentioning their names, you are saying that the wolverine is changing its camouflage before pouncing on the docile sheep. It's strategically and shamelessly Marcosian. If the Constitution is blocking their way, why -- change it! Use any pretense. After becoming prime minister, what is going to stop the PM from becoming a benevolent dictator. The problem with us is, we boldly expose, we loudly complain, we furiously rant and then, after all that, we grovel. Why don't we please offer an alternative? For example, let's call on Gov. Ed Panlilio to oppose this evil scheme. He does not have to run for President. All he has to do is to call on all governors to become examples of good goverment as inspired by the late President Magsaysay. These governors can form a formidable band of crusaders for good government instead of just being a gang of gladiators for Malacanang. Lionel Tierra, (by email), Sacramento , CA , Jan.12, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Your GMA forever ending clause is probably giving ABS CBN the jitters. Is this probably the reason why they are accusing GMA 7 of cheating in the viewer ratings? Obvious and subtle dynamics are creating unintended effects on other matters. e.g. ABS CBN is kapamilya, erap is kapamilya. So...? Is GMA for GMA 7? Is GMA7 pro PGMA? How abbreviations and themes can create subtle plays in the minds of easily swayed people. Wala lang. Felix Zamar, (by email), Jan. 12, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I share your skepticism about the holding of a Presidential Election in 2010. Unless those who are opposed to GMA from becoming prime minister after 2010 join forces, it is likely that Cha-Cha will happen before 2010. Among the two: People�s Initiative and approval by both houses of Congress, I think that People�s Initiative is more likely to succeed because they just need to correct/remedy its defects that made the Supreme Court invalidate it as the getting of the 5 million (?) signatures is relatively easy. I also think that approval by both houses of Congress is almost certain not to happen because majority in the Senate are opposed to Cha-Cha. In this regard, it would be good if interested parties brainstorm how the People�s Initiative could be prevented from succeeding. This thought just occurred to me: How about holding a negative People�s Initiative re those who are opposed to [Cha-Cha/GMA becoming prime minister] at the same time that a positive People�s Initiative (for Cha-Cha) is being undertaken by Kampi(?)? Although this may not legally invalidate a positive People�s Initiative, it could make the holding of Cha-Cha which includes the change from presidential to parliamentary unpopular and undemocratic if the number of signatures obtained by the negative People�s Initiative is much bigger than the number of signatures obtained by the positive People�s Initiative. From a concerned citizen Nars Silverio, (by email), Jan. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr Abaya, I'm so grateful and happy about your articles and opinions sent to your email forwarded to my email by you. Interesting and mind-boggling pieces, indeed! What bothers me, as of now, is the big question whether or not a change must be done in our system of government. To my mind it is not Gloria or whoever would be at the helm. The problem is how to get rid of the unqualified, undeserving people to win and run the affairs of our government. We cannot trust the electorate anymore than the Comelec, can we? Are political dynasties here to stay? Will honorable seats in the Senate continue to be occupied by father and daughter, mother and son, brother and sister, actors, actresses, comedians, broadcasters, basketball players, who got there by way of populalrity. I think an incision has to be done no matter how painful. I think a second thought should be given to charter change. We have gone to the dogs. Should the country continue wallowing in the mud? Let's open the windows for fresh air to come in. If Charter Change and federalism will prove good, why not? Sincerely, Lourdes Oben Santos, (by email), Jan. 15, 2008 (But suppose Charter Change and federalism do not �prove good,� we would be stuck with GMA Forever and an Islamic federal state taking over Western Mindanao, plus Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Palawan ? What do we do then? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww GMA and Nora Aunor Good morning Mr. Abaya.. First of all, I want you to know that I always thank God for you! You , with your brilliant mind, your boldness, and your intense desire for turning our country to a path of righteousness and freedom. I salute you and I wish I could also do something for our country and our people. My purpose for this letter is to inquire about the monies sent by GMA to Nora Aunor when the latter was going through legal battles here in the US . Some sources told me that GMA was sending money to her thru our local Los Angeles Philippine Embassy to pay for her legal expenses. I want the GMA administration to divulge to the public as to whose money was it? or where did it come from? Was it from GMA's personal pocket? or from a humanitarian fund? or from donations? or from the public fund? The reason I am asking is that, Nora's dilemma was of her own making.... and what ever sorry state she was or is in is not our government or our people's burden. When she (Nora) had money in her heydays... did she ever think of the poor and the needy? No! she was busy partying, getting drunk and drugged, and never cared for anyone but herself. So why now would our government financially support her on something that is immoral and a self made and self sought drug problem..... ? I trust that you will find answers to this. Thank you and more power to you. Joining you wholeheartedly in your quest for the betterment of our beloved country, Claire Felicen-Flores, (by email), Los Angeles , CA , Jan. 05, 2008 www.rgfentertainment.com wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww In case Benevolent Trapo JDV no longer the Speaker �Anggapoy pinili, anggapoy nilabi (No one is favored, no one is discriminated)� boomed by Speaker Joe de Venecia recently before the newly elected 140 Barangay Captains who paid obeisance to him, and of course to be sworn at his residence in Bonuan This rhythmic sounding vernacular was in reference to the one million peso he will be giving to each of them for the welfare of their village. In the past, the Speaker was ubiquitously generous in giving goodies like a mini van to each barangay, multi-million worth of flyovers in Dagupan City, poured P 662.7 Million worth of infrastructures at the 4th District prior to the start of the May 2007 National and Local Polls, and has just pledged P 17.5 Million to bankroll the seed capital of the Micro-Finance Bank in Dagupan City. All taken or to be taken from his Priority Development Assistance Fund A.K.A Pork Barrel. Indeed, a Lot of money if one is to compare it for an ordinary congressman who is worth only P 70 Million a year before his constituents? But JDV is no ordinary congressman. JDV is the Super Congressman of the House of Representatives whose office is powered by a P 3.5 Billion annual appropriation from the national coffer for him to spend as he wishes. As what the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (as posted by Alex Pabico at his Internet Blog on July 30, 2007) says: �The House Speaker is himself a source of funds with a vast discretionary largesse at his disposal. From this are mostly drawn the representatives� monthly allowances (which can range from P50,000 to P100,000), Christmas bonuses (P100,000 to 200,000), as well as the �payoffs" for votes during Speaker ship contests and �appearance fees" (P50,000 as minimum) for attending plenary sessions to vote on crucial national bills. Under de Venecia, who has won an unprecedented fifth term as Speaker, the 14th House is not likely to veer away from the usual practice. Isn�t it high time that the public demanded greater financial accountability from their representatives?� This gigantic perk makes even his supporters in the local level toe the line and swore their extra ordinary loyalty to him come hell or high water. His annihilation of multi-millionaire Benjie S. Lim in the last congressional poll only attests how wide his networks of leaders and wherewithal. But will the political seasoned JDV sustains this financial prowess after the allies in the Lower House of President Gloria M. Arroyo struck their knives at him anytime next year? In the light of the House Committee on Justice rejecting the Impeachment try filled by Atty. Ruel Pulido that eventually resulted for GMA to be insulated for any impeachment try until November 2008. The impending House coup is borne after his son and namesake Jose de Venecia III fingered the First Gentleman to conspire with the $ 329.5 aborted broad band deal of China 's Zhong Xing Telecommunications (ZTE) that was obnoxiously reeking with anomalies. Aggravated by the Speaker acrimoniously and incessantly telling several public fora that he asked for a deadline the president of the land to carry a moral revolution that will start from the perch of government � a clear insinuation that the president herself is part of the rottenness of the system. As quoted by Inquirer.Net last October 23, 2007 : �Madame President, we urge you to signal your determination to use these two-and-a half years that remain of your tenure to lead this moral revolution in our public life by completing these initial reforms over these next 100 days,� he said What add insults to injury to his paradoxical moral revolution pronouncement was it comes from a man who was the epitome of what is corruption to this most corrupt country in Asia as perceived by a political science professor who asked anonymity here in Dagupan City. �JDV is suspected to have anomalous actuations as he was dragged into the multi-million PEA-Amari Deal (tagged as grandmother of all scams under the Ramos Administration), acquired P 15 Billion private debts from his defunct Land Oil Resources Corp., accused by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to intervene in the multi-million North Rail be constructed by the Chinese, and a staunch defender of the pork barrel allocation� he added. Without JDV as Speaker, without JDV holding that P 3.5 Billion yearly pork, without JDV being the Don Corleone of the House, and with JDV transform as an ordinary congressman who squirmy appropriate the measly P 70 Million Pork every year to the drooling village chiefs, consultants, contractors ,and supporters, will the said people still maintain their unconditional loyalties to the favorite son of Dagupan despite the uncertainty of whether they still get the monitorial manna they used to enjoy when JDV�s was still the highest whip of the lower house? Or will they be vulnerable to the machination of Malacanang�s point man (who will replace JDV as the source of the proverbial dole outs in the 4th district) that will totally reduce if not extinguish any influence JDV can still hold in the politics of the said District? Now to reiterate with gusto the innovated title of this article: What happen incase the benevolent trapo JDV is no longer a Speaker in 2008? Marcelo Ortigoza, (by email), Dagupan City , Jan. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Forwarded to Tapatt by Ben Sanchez) Jesse Robredo: Leadership in the frontlines By Isa Lorenzo, The Daily PCIJ, December 28, There are many good examples of Filipino leaders � at the local level. The Ateneo School of Government's book "Frontline Leadership: Stories of 5 Local Chief Executives," tells some of their tales. Incumbent Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, former San Fernando mayor Mary Jane Ortega, former Bulacan governor Josie de la Cruz, former Surigao del Norte governor Lyndon Barbers, and an anonymous former Visayas governor, MP, all have different leadership styles, yet their brand of management proved to be effective in running their city and provinces. Naga City, for example, has seen increasing prosperity under Robredo's watch. "Although to attribute everything to Robredo is an exaggeration, the mayor's managerial skills and fiscal acumen have indeed been pivotal to Naga's economic boom," says the book. Robredo is known for his people skills, which even his critics concede. "(H)is ability to deal with all sorts of people makes him a formidable political force," says the book. One of Robredo's innovations is the Naga City People's Council, a federation of Naga-based non-governmental organizations. The council acts as a check to local government. In addition, the city's systems, business licensing procedures and other possible transactions have been uploaded to its official website in order to promote greater transparency. Robredo has also cultivated a thrifty image. He says that his style of leadership is collective in nature. "All the triumphs that we have achieved in all aspects of governance � fiscal, social services, education, health, infrastructure, and civil works as well as tourism and the environment � are certainly not the work of of only one man. It is a product of our collective effort with every stakeholder as a key player." Unlike Robredo, Ortega is a part of a political dynasty. She, however, sees this as a big advantage. "While the family provides the necessary political machinery and her talent for communication provides the political tool, Ortega's performance has been one of the major factors that have kept her in office for almost a decade," says the book. Ortega has been criticized for being too confrontational. Yet her management has resulted in a slew of awards for both her and San Fernando . Under her term, the city was named first in the Asian Institute of Management's Competitive Cities in the small cities category. "Mayor Ortega's leadership results from a confluence of the traditional and the managerial. She is a member of a political dynasty, but her stay in power is also due to her performance as a public manager," adds the book. De la Cruz, meanwhile, is credited for bureaucratic reforms and innovative programs on education, health, social services, and economic development. She says that she uses humility and consensus-building in problem-solving. While de la Cruz has effective programs, these are directly attributable to her, often by means of large billboards scattered throughout Bulacan. Barbers, for his part, is said to be a strict disciplinarian with his staff. His system of governance is often described as systematic and strategic. The last local executive, MP, is described as having people-oriented leadership, with an emphasis on the human face. The book says that the hallmarks of her leadership practices as governor are the following: a "hands-on style of leadership and management, sense of shared accountability, consultative attitude, a service orientation, a projected presence, and concern for generating resources." To be sure, these local executives are not perfect. Robredo has over 70 cases at the Ombudsman. Most of these have been dismissed, however, either for lack of merit or lack of probable cause. Observers also say that because Robredo has performed so well, it would be difficult to find someone who could match or surpass his achievements. Robredo can no longer seek re-election in 2010. Ortega has been criticized for being too frank and for being part of a political dynasty. While de la Cruz has acquired a reputation as a reformist, some also say that she is becoming a traditional politician, especially by choosing her brother as her successor. There are also allegations that she has allowed relatives to land lucrative government contracts, and that she and her staff traveled abroad on official time and at taxpayers' expense far too often. Barbers is also part of a political dynasty. He is perceived by some as being too strict, and his family has been accused of playing both sides of the field. MP, also a member of a political dynasty, is said to be too accommodating. The fact that a majority of the leaders profiled are members of political dynasties shows the influence of families in the way Filipino politicians exercise leadership, according to the book. Despite their failings, it is clear that these five leaders have been able to carry out reforms in their cities and provinces. The book says that they exemplify a centrifugal view of leadership, and that this "allows them to look beyond themselves in the course of carrying out their tasks and responsibilities." This also enables them to have a firm faith in the ability of others to lead the community better and to deliver results more efficiently, given the necessary tools. While many of the local executives still subscribe to traditional practices such as visiting weddings and funerals, the innovations each of them has made have allowed them to effect change. ***** OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |