This is a re-posted op-ed piece.
On the sidelines of the annual gathering of the United Nations in New York, President Aquino was one of 47 world leaders invited to the launch of the Open Governance Partnership, an initiative of the Obama administration. The Philippines is one of eight countries that are members of the OGP steering committee. Washington launched the partnership as part of its current efforts to promote transparency and good governance worldwide. US President Barack Obama reportedly hailed anti-corruption efforts in the Philippines.
From New York, President Aquino proceeded to Washington, where his administration’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability were also commended by World Bank President Robert Zoellick.
Benigno Simeon Aquino III rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, and so far his administration has managed to stay on course. In Washington, the President said good governance is good economics. His focus should be on sustaining his reforms so that they will endure beyond his six years in office.
The record of his predecessor should remind the President of how fragile reforms can be in the Philippines. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was installed through people power on the wings of a major corruption scandal that engulfed the administration of Joseph Estrada. Arroyo was expected to clean up the government. Instead, as her nine years in power came to a close, her critics said Estrada’s corruption scandals paled in comparison to hers. Voters picked the candidate perceived to be her antithesis as her replacement, and the one who came closest to Aquino in the vote was Estrada.
These days, lawmakers, government prosecutors and state auditors are unearthing deals in the previous administration that appear to be tainted with corruption. President Aquino has five more years to prove that his administration will be different. He must leave a legacy of good governance, institutionalizing reforms so that they will be difficult for anyone to undo.
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Source: The Philippine Star, Editorial, Sept. 23, 2011
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