‘Frankly, if I were to put a finger on one single thing that PNoy did that meant the most to me, it was his effort to portray the Presidency as the office of the Chief Public Servant. Which is what it is.’
LIKE many Filipinos I started my day yesterday gripped by unconfirmed reports that former President Noynoy Aquino had died. I received my first message over Messenger a little past half past 6 a.m.; then a few others via text and Viber, then by 9 a.m. even from overseas quoting “sources” who did not wish to be identified.
Soon most of my chat groups were focused on the unconfirmed news, but others on social media were already expressing their grief and extending their condolences — even at a time when nothing formal had been announced.
In the office I was glued to the TV set as CNN Philippines tried its best to find someone — anyone! — who could confirm what they were already reporting as fact.
Soon Facebook was being flooded with reminiscences of PNoy, with old selfies with him, with praises for him. Of course, there were a few who felt that this was a time to exult; let’s face it — PNoy was controversial not so much because of his person but because he represented one side of a big divide that continues to weigh down the country. And so, yes, there were a few of those who seem callous at exercising their freedom of speech at an inopportune time. I remain of the belief that you do not wish ill even on your worst enemies, and in moments like these if you have nothing good to say it is good just to say nothing.
But I echo some of those who started their posts with “I didn’t vote for the man…” because I didn’t. But I too respect him for the service he rendered the country. I do not think we will always agree with everything a President says or does, some more than others, but yes, we can learn to respect them for doing their duty as they see fit and to the best of their abilities. Again, some more than others.
Frankly, if I were to put a finger on one single thing that PNoy did that meant the most to me, it was his effort to portray the Presidency as the office of the Chief Public Servant.
Which is what it is. Which does not mean, for example, not using the office as a bully pulpit to get things done; but which does mean using the office as a bully pulpit to get even the most important things done because they are the right things to do. Because the President is the chief servant endowed with a special vantage point from which to see the whole and, having seen the whole, must now initiate or continue programs that benefit the whole while putting a stop to programs that benefit only the few.
And this is all about little things as much as it is all about big things. Like stopping that practice of wang-wangs and counterflows, which returned with a vengeance after he stepped down from office. Call me shallow but I really liked that gesture. Servant nga eh, di ba?
(I did hope that under PNoy we would finally stop calling Malacanang a Palace, the ultimate irony. But it didn’t happen under his watch, and most probably won’t under the current dispensation. I remain hopeful that one day it will happen.)
Yes, he had his imperfections (some more than others) but I never really had reason to ever exclaim “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him.” Oh, wait… maybe just once or twice.
But we all get to do this with our Presidents, yes? Maybe more often with some than with others.
Your work here done, you now join your beloved parents in eternity. Thank you PNoy for your time serving as our Chief Public Servant, a job you handled pretty well.
Rest in Peace and Mabuhay!
