Abaya is right---MRT problems, not political--its Liberal catatonia

DOTC secretary Emilio Abaya is right. MRT problems are definitely not political. It is administrative and inevitably linked with, governance.

When Abaya countered the Vice president's tirade against the MRT/LRT operational woes, the embattled DOTC secretary admonished the VP of connecting the issue with politics. There is no such thing in the DOTC, says Abaya. And I agree.

Had Abaya just lent a minute in listening to what the VP said, Binay did not link the MRT issue with politics, no. He linked it with inefficiency (kapalpakan). It is also wise to link it with the issue about "manhid" or transliterated into "paralysis" (to some, manhid means paralysis).

Abaya admitted that the problems persists and Abaya has been there for many years already and solutions remain undiscovered. Is the VP referring to operational catatonia when he accused the government of mismanaging the MRT issue? Yes. That's too obvious even for a West Pointer such as Abaya.

When you put "palpak" and "manhid" together, one term emerges---catatonic behaviour in governance. Another term is created--the inertia syndrome.

Don't worry, Mr. Abaya, this syndrome is evident in post-dictatorial administrations, something observed to really happen in countries which underwent strongman rule. Read SAŠA POLJANEC-BORIĆ paper, "Transfer of Governance Culture: A Case Study of Socio Cultural Barriers for Institutional Adaptation in Croatia." It's a deficiency.

That explains why persons such as Abaya is appointed to such positions in government to wrestle itself free from this deficiency. The problem really is when those in power do not recognise/admit or altogether gloss this deficiency over. The result is a self-destabilising catatonia (a state of immobility and stupor).

This catatonia proceeds from lack of empathy with the masses. Why is there apathy among government officials right now? It is because they belonged to the cono class, whose concern is economic meaning self-preservation.

Abaya, like his forebears, only want nothing more than preserve his family's wealth. This same goes with his principal, Mar Roxas, whose thirst for power is unquenchable because of his family's many economic interests proceeding from their businesses.

Abaya probably forgot the very reason why he is there at the DOTC. Or Abaya is right and I am wrong-- that Abaya is in there for the RIGHT REASONS, and that is, pursue the Liberal's interests.

What's instore for the Aquino administration in 2011

2011 will be a year when the Aquino administration will regain its moral focus, when those who unfortunately did not win the senatorial elections, would again see themselves hugging the headlines once more.


These people, who are mostly idealists and members of civil society, will be given sensitive posts to fill their talents in. They are a good addition to this government, which continues to portray a progressive stance. 


For example, Nereus Acosta is reviewing his laws on natural resources for his eventual takeover of the Department of Natural Resources. Riza Hontiveros of AKBAYAN is still scouting for her place while several others are just preparing to be "activated". Some feel these people are out to gain public leverage from their posts, posturing for another stab at it come 2013. And why not? 2013 remains a very promising year for those aspiring for a Senatorial post since the big time heavyweights are obviously out.


The question really is, will the Liberals continue their dominance of the legislative department? Yes. Nacionalista heavyweight Senator Manny Villar is out by next 2013. Villar, according to some, will remain in the business sector. His brilliance there remains extremely beneficial to our country. He continues to help impoverished sectors with his foundation.


A mid-term elections are most beneficial for those "unknowns" or "still lacking some credentials" Given the chance, these people are possible "shoo-ins" in the Senate, provided they are given the big chance of exposure. A government post provides that possibility.

2010 Configurations

Despite his single digit rating, many people still believe that Mar Roxas is one of the strongest contenders for the presidency. Given a two-way fight, Mar could very well give his opponent a real struggle, given his enormous resources and organizational machinery.

He's young. He's intelligent. He knows how to run the economy. And he's pretty respected among peers and colleagues alike.

Of course, reality is, there's no two-party fight come 2010. Given our multi-party system, there is that strongest possibility of these configurations come election time:

1. A Teodoro-Escudero or Escudero-Teodoro tandem for the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) in tandem with the KAMPI of Mrs. Arroyo.

2. A Mar Roxas-Legarda tandem for the Liberal Party, of course, with the blessing of Legarda's party, the NPC. Or, quite possibly, a Mar Roxas-Lacson tandem.

3. Estrada-Binay tandem for the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) or, if worst comes to worst, an Estrada-Villar tandem.

4. Villar-Noli de Castro or De Castro-Villar tandem for Lakas-CMD if the merger talks with KAMPI collapses. The Nacionalista Party of Villar is in serious merger talks with Lakas-CMD since last year. The possibility of them joining up with Lakas-CMD remains very viable.

5. A third force composed of either Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, General Danny Lim and other political aspirants.

In a multi-party fight, expect another minority president to emerge. In that scenario, an administration bet is sure to clinch the final spot, since it has the resources and the organization to boot.

For Mar Roxas to win in this situation, he needs to be able to differentiate himself from the pack. He needs to strengthen his opposition character since, he needs that to be able to position himself as a rational alternative to the UNO or United Opposition clique of Estrada.

Unless of course, eventually, Roxas and his Liberals decide to merge with Estrada which, obviously, is a possibility but not entirely viable since it would destroy efforts being made by the Estrada camp to prop up the former president for a second run.

I think that defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro is being made as "super proxy" against Roxas. He's being positioned to neutralize or get votes away from Roxas by positioning him as "young, maverick and a technocrat, highly qualified".

Teodoro's statement saying that he'll not run without the blessing of Gloria ran smack against Roxas' campaign strategy of opposing Gloria and positioning away from the administration.

Pang-inis lang or simply realpolitik?