Peoples' voice

As usual, the survey ratings of this administration like any previous administrations follow a fixed trend. They always go down as days and months passed after taking over the reins of power. This is simply an indication that the “honeymoon” period is over and all the rosy images formed in the public mind at the start of a new dispensation gradually disappear until everything goes back to normal. Like in any relationship, the period of romance is usually followed by disillusionment as reality seeps in.

P-Noy must have realized by this time the tremendous difficulties and seemingly insurmountable obstacles to the goals he set for himself when he took over power. Running a government with a bloated bureaucracy is not a “walk in the park”. With a highly centralized government like ours where enormous powers are concentrated in the executive department which he heads, almost all the misconducts and wrong doings of public officials and employees, down to the lowliest bureaucrats who are at the frontline of public service and in direct contact with the people are invariably attributed to his administration.

The processing and release of documents, licenses, permits, clearances and other papers are still done at a snail’s pace. If time is of the essence for people who badly need a document or paper from a government office, they either have to look for an inside “strong connection” or resort to the usual practice of shelling out some amounts “for the boys” to expedite the release or to prompt immediate action. Even actions or decisions on simple administrative cases are unconscionably delayed. Right in Malacanang itself, a mere pro-forma motion on an administrative case involving the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board that requires not much study and research, has been pending since November, 2010 causing untold damages on the party most affected by the delay in terms of lost opportunities.

These unreasonable and unexcused delays are felt even more by those who have pending valid claims for payment of receivables due from the government or any of its agencies and instrumentalities including GOCCs especially if the amount involved is substantial. In the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), an old lady has been waiting to be paid the purchase price of her real property in Antipolo Rizal acquired by the DPWH as a road right of way under a Deed of Absolute Sale executed way back in 1986. Up to now, 25 years later, she has not yet been fully compensated apparently because the amount involved is in millions and thus “juicy” enough to be released without any “commission” being coughed up. When the new DPWH Secretary took over last year, the old lady immediately wrote him a follow up letter fully hoping that at last, she will be given what is long due to her. But up to now, after almost one year, she has not even received the courtesy of a reply. The experience of this old lady typifies the unfortunate fate of the common tao, the nobodies in our society who carry no influence or connection and who choose to deal with the government at arm’s length. Ironically, she is one of P-Noy’s “boss”.

But the distress, hardships and unfortunate experience of ordinary citizens happen not only when they are claiming payment from the government but also when they are paying taxes, duties, fees and other amounts due the government. It is not only because of the long queues, sometimes even under the sun or rain. Apparently this problem has already been addressed as most of the offices have devised ways of making the process more comfortable, expeditious and orderly. The problem lies more in computing the amounts due especially taxes and duties where unreasonable delay again occurs. Examiners really take time looking into the minutest details of the returns and the supporting papers filed, obviously trying to discover some points of “negotiation” on the amounts to be finally assessed and paid. Oftentimes citizens choose to just come across instead of coping with the harrowing frustrations of dealing with these officials or employees who act more like they are the boss than the public servants.

Up to now, ordinary citizens especially the lowly and the un-influential, experience all these hardships, frustrations and distresses in dealing with the government. Of course we cannot entirely blame P-Noy for all these sad experiences. But considering his enormous powers as President, people expect him to do something to at least improve the situation. And if after one year, nothing much has change his performance ratings will certainly dip and will continue to slide down.

Another reason for the decline in P-Noy’s survey ratings is obviously the adoption of some policies which have dangerous implications and adverse consequences to our society. His stand on certain proposed legislations undermining family and life has apparently disappointed many of those who voted for him in the last elections. They certainly expected him not to take sides on this ticklish issue especially because this pertains more to the legislative than the executive department of the government. He should have maintained an open mind on this matter especially because it is very divisive and is creating a deep and serious rift among our people-a rift that could have been avoided because such kind of legislation is not even necessary.

The results of the surveys of the two leading pollsters in our country clearly show the decline in the people’s satisfaction and trust on the President. P-Noy should not completely ignore them. They may have been the opinion of a few thousand citizens but they represent the cross section of our population from the upper to the lower class. Somehow they can be considered the voice of the people.   

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Note: Books containing compilation of my articles on Labor Law and Criminal Law (Vols. I and II) are now available. Call tel. 7249445.

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