It’s the economy

It is not the media commentators, including columnists, nor the front pages that will ultimately determine the issues which will most influence the 2016 elections. In fact, based on  my recent discussions with political and NGO  leaders on the ground and the results of the recent Pulse Asia surveys, the most urgent concerns of the electorate have not been changed by recent events in Mindanao.

Political seers and surveys show that the most important issues remain to be economic in nature. These concerns have remained unchanged from last year up to the latest Pulse Asia survey in March.  The five most important concerns are controlling inflation, increasing wages, reducing poverty, creating more jobs and fighting graft and corruption. I would surmise that graft and corruption is a major issue because it is perceived as an obstacle to economic prosperity.

The performance ratings of the administration on all these issues have also remained relatively unchanged over the past six months as shown in the different surveys. Local politicians, especially those outside Metro Manila, have confirmed this analysis.

I remember the story of how Bill Clinton won the 1992 presidential elections in the United States. During the campaign, the Republicans started a heavily funded media campaign that focused on accusing Bill and Hillary Clinton of various scandals including immoral personal behavior. There are campaign stories that relate how the Clintons were sorely tempted to answer all those accusations. 

However, campaign handlers reminded him that negative media campaigns are part and parcel of politics, and that he must remain focused on the real issues of the campaign, which was mainly improving the economy.

The campaign managers of Clinton decided to put up posters to remind the candidate to remain focused and not be distracted. The posters had a simple message that said: “It’s the Economy, Stupid.”

There’s a similar pattern in the story of President Obama, who inherited an economy that was almost destroyed by his predecessor. In 2008, the world suffered a financial meltdown and was on the verge of another Great Depression. After Obama took over, he instituted reforms that were constantly attacked by his political enemies. Today, the United States is again enjoying the highest economic growth rate among developed countries. Unemployment is being reduced and millions of new jobs have been created.

Last year, the Democratic Party lost in the midterm elections in spite of the economic recovery taking place. The Republicans again resorted to negative campaigning. There were stories that Obama was not born in the United States and was actually a Muslim. The USA is the only rich country without universal health care. Obama’s affordable health care plan was attacked as being socialist. The Democratic Party was unable to present a convincing narrative to the American people that the economy was actually improving and that life was getting better.  

The Republicans were able to divert the issues to social issues and away from the economic recovery.  Obama has also been accused of being soft on terrorism because of his efforts to negotiate a nuclear weapon control settlement with Iran, a country which Republicans say cannot be trusted and should be bombed as a way of preventing war. Even in United States there are voices that say war and violence are the pathways to peace.

Here in the Philippines, there are groups that will automatically oppose almost anything the President will try to do. The so-called militant left, with its bankrupt Marxist ideology, have filed several impeachment complaints despite the fact that they know there is no way it will prosper. But their goal is simply media mileage. The negative campaigns will continue to escalate because the presidential campaign period is approaching.

The reality is that the Philippine economic miracle is much more appreciated by foreign media and observers than by local media. We are the “second” fastest growing economy in Asia, but there are accusations that we can do better. There have been more Public-Private Projects awarded or ready for bidding in the last four years than in the past three administrations. But there are still criticisms that the PPP is not going fast enough.

There have also been criticisms of the performance of the Cabinet. It is true that these critics may have been justified in a few cases like Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Alan Purisima. However, this Cabinet is composed – predominantly – of capable, energetic and honest personalities.

Rogelio Singson has minimized corruption in DPWH and has built roads and bridges that actually exist. Br. Armin Luistro has the courage and the foresight to finally start us on the road to world class education. Virgilio de los Reyes has handled agrarian reform, including the Hacienda Luisita case, with efficiency and diplomacy that has provided badly needed leadership in a once graft ridden department. Dinky Soliman has expanded the Conditional Cash Transfer in a program that is transforming lives at the grassroots level. Then there is Leila de Lima of Justice, Cesar Purisima of Finance, Voltaire Gazmin of Defense, and several others whose contribution to restoring the rule of law and expanding economic opportunity will someday be hailed as legacies of this administration.

During the presidency of P-Noy, the Philippines has been transformed from being the sick man of Asia into what Bloomberg News calls “Southeast Asia’s Strong Man.” This will be remembered, especially by future generations, as one of the greatest legacies of President Noynoy Aquino.

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Summer creative writing classes for kids and teens by Where The Write Things Are

The Wonder of Words: Stories, Graphic Lit, Poetry and more.

May 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15 (6 sessions), 1 pm-3 pm (for ages 7-10 years) and 3:30 pm-5:30 pm (for ages 11-17 years) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. Facilitators are Neni Sta. Romana Cruz and Roel Cruz with guest authors Mabi David and Dean Francis Alfar.

Young Writers’ Hangout with published authors

April 18 and 25, May 23 and 30, 1 pm-2:30 pm (for 7-17 years old) at Canadian American School, Alphaland, Makati. 

For registration and fee details contact 0917-6240196 or [email protected]

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Email: [email protected]