As for the Presidential of Philippine he had a huge astronomical task to convince the people that how he would tackle corruption and unify a fragmented nation.
By forangel
Senator Benigno Aquino III's rode on the crest of his presidential campaign slogan - "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap" (no one would be poor if there's no corruption). It is the pursuit of this goal, a legacy of EDSA One, that could spur him to bring this "laggard" in Southeast Asia (as described by The Economist) to reclaim its No. 2 position in Asia. It is a realizable vision. In another TV ad, he visualized the straight road that shall take us to prosperity. But he also realizes that the path is strewn with obstacles.
At the outset, President-apparent Noynoy's Cabinet will have to face the scrutiny of the electorate which would be much more demanding of their public officials. A high sense of integrity, credibility, selflessness, and sacrifice - these are just among some of the intangibles that would define their concept of meritocracy. Every columnist, blogger, netizen from Facebook and Twitter, and even international advocacy groups have freely given a piece of their mind to the incoming President. No to impunity, states reporters without borders; address poverty and high population growth, says Senator Angara, as political analysts are one in saying that a tough challenge is that of managing escalation of political dynasties and that of creating an inducive climate for innovation, and entrepreneurship. All these support his earlier statements about promoting a level playing field, and reducing poverty through economic reforms. He supports the controversial reproductive health bill, much to the chagrin of the Catholic leadership. Now, people are watching how he would tackle corruption and unify a fragmented nation. An opportunity comes in the form of the Freedom of Information bill which was left at the wayside while awaiting the final hurdle. In a collective statement prepared by ATIN (Access to Information Network), it calls on Speaker Prospero Nograles and all members of the House of Representatives to "perform two historically significant acts in the country's public life.
First, ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the Freedom of Information Act; and second, proceed to adopt the resolution to hold a joint session for the presidential and vice presidential canvass of votes. The first act will fulfill the long overdue constitutional duty of our right to information, and the duty of the State to implement a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest."
The Statement notes how the two acts are linked. The canvass of votes for the president and the vice president enjoys a relatively high level of acceptance because of the free flow of information to the media and to the public. The appeal ends by stating that a "gift of a credible transition of leadership and the empowering right of access to information is a strong foundation for political and social renewal."
Senator Noynoy will need the full force of the FOI Act to make his anti-corruption measures. succeed.
A pre-requisite is full and untrammeled flow of information on scams, smuggling and irregularities that had hampered the flow of resources to the State.
On Tuesday, May 25, a whole-day forum on FOI will be held at the UP School of Economics in Diliman, Quezon City with international experts Toby Mendel, and Aruna Roy. Mendel, director of the Centre for Law and Democracy and author of a UNESCO publication where he analyzed legislation from all over the world on right to information, will speak on Global Developments.
Roy, a Ramon Magsaysay laureate, and convenor of campaign on Right to Information will speak on People's Participation and Right to Information in India. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Chair, Senate Committee on Public Information and Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, Chair, TWG on FOI at the House Committee on Public Information, and Rep. Joel Villanueva will speak on behalf of the legislators; remarks will be given by Nepomuceno Malaluan and Vincent Lazatin, ATIN co-convenors, and Wilfido Villacorta; The panelists are Rowena Paraan, Yuen Abana, Annie Geron, Alberto Lim, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, representing media, basic.and public sectors, business and religious with moderators, Malou Mangahas, Red Batario, and Florangel Rosario Braid, and invited leaders, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and Speaker Prospero Nograles.
Direct your comment to florangel.braid@gmail.com
Federal Public Policy: Personal Accounts of Ten Senior Federal Civil Service Executives
Managing Conflict of Interest in the Public Service: Oecd Guidelines and Country Experiences
