MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said on Saturday that there have already been improvements in public governance almost 100 days since he assumed the presidency last June 30. This came despite criticisms that there had been no major changes in policy in his first 100 days in public office as the Chief Executive. "Palagay ko malaki-laki na ang nakikita nilang pagbabago, yun bang pagpa-file ng mga kaso sa mga tax evaders, yung bang paghihinto sa mga GOCCs (government-owned and controlled corporations) na walang humpay na masasabi nating pagkain sa kaban ng bayan [I think they have already seen significant improvements such as the filing of cases against tax evaders and preventing GOCCs from using too much of government funds]," Aquino said. He said that these and more will be made public in his first 100 days in office next week.
Aquino said there would always be people who would look at the glass half-empty and in his case, there would always be some who would remain critical of his administration. But he said what is important is that there are people who appreciate the efforts being done by the current administration. "Sa akin ho basta nakikita ng taumbayan na talagang ginagawa natin ito para sa nakararami parati at palagay ko naa-appreciate naman nila, ako'y kuntento na
[For me, as long as the public sees that we're really doing our best for their benefit and they appreciate what we're doing, I think I am already contented with that]," Aquino said. It would be recalled that Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has said that the President's performance remains "on track" and rated it as "above passing mark," citing that two major platforms of the administration - poverty alleviation and eradication of corruption - are likewise on track.
