A Commentary on PNOY’s First 100 Days

With his sudden rise to fame, the domesticated NoyNoy of the Aquino household in
Times Street became the eligible PNoy, president of the Republic of the Philippines. His victory
was a time for feast for many and a subject of scrutiny for a few. Those who were for him
pictured him as the tool for the reincarnation of peace and democracy prior set by his late
legendary parents. His critics blamed his victory to the emotional impact of the death of the
cherished Cory Aquino to the Filipino people. Perceptions regarding his capability and approach
to lead the Filipino nation remain differed. Though, his first 100 days in the seat of presidency is
an unavoidable gage of his competence.

Our country has a long overdue need of a dramatic metamorphosis. Our nation had
been cocooning in the shadow of the government’s failure to deliver well and to maintain a
clean record. As president of a dawning nation, it is in PNoy’s hand to spearhead this
metamorphosis. Therefore, the question now is whether he had done evident actions that will
link to this metamorphosis in his first 100 days in the office. Personally, I appreciate his effort
to embody the ideals of his parents in governance but his flaws are also very vivid which is why I
am not fully satisfied. PNoy’s laidback and humble personality is charming. It captures the
sympathy and respect of the Filipino nation. It bridges an ordinary person to an upper class
politician such as he is. Watching him making unconventional preferences as president such as
eating in a hotdog stand in New York instead of having reservations in some glamorous
restaurant, is praiseworthy. It shows his intention in cost-cutting and honesty in saying that he
would maintain a simple lifestyle even if he is the most powerful figure in our country. For
reflecting his words into actions, I give PNoy two-thumbs up.

In the period of his first 100 days in service, the most embarrassing hostage scenario in
our country took place. To add up into the embarrassment, it was televised worldwide and
involved innocent foreign tourists. As usual, PNoy was the one to be blamed because the
hostage taker was shot dead. Actually, PNoy was not directly responsible to such humiliation
but the way he handled the rumors, accusations and banters of the people involving the crime
is dismaying. He was lenient in imposing punishment to those who are responsible, he was
tactless of his public statements and he was unfocused in handling the situation. This leads me
to asking myself if PNoy could handle larger crisis in the next years of his term.

In his first 100 days of service, I was saddened and inspired. Though, I understood that
like many of us he would come across a number of victories and downfalls. It’s a matter of
accepting him, giving him time to adjust and following his lead to the manifestation our great
nation’s own stupendous metamorphosis.