It's the PRESIDENCY, Stupid!

I am snowcloning the famous catchphrase created by James Carville, who was the campaign manager of Bill Clinton during the 1992 US Presidential elections. 

Carville came up with the brilliant slogan "IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!" in reference to Clinton's opponent, incumbent president George Bush Sr. In that election year, Bush tried to piggyback on his foreign policy success (gulf war), and his popularity abroad, but seemingly neglecting domestic affairs, particularly the US economy which was in recession.  So the Clinton camp released this slogan as a way of saying to Bush and to the voters that the government needs to address the faltering economy, and make it the primary subject of the campaign. Clinton won the election, basically because this slogan caught on with the electorate, believing that Bush ignored the economy and was not in tune with what the people want from their president.

I daresay now, "It's the PRESIDENCY, STUPID!"

I know that it is too much, too edgy, offensive and maybe too radical.  I know it already borders on disrespect, derision and contempt. I can't help it.

When the highest executive of the land asks this question "What else could I have done?" days after a catastrophe, then there is something INHERENTLY wrong with the government.  

When our very own president remain clueless of his awesome power to rally the nation to turn this tragedy into triumph, then it's really not surprising why there is system failure. 

This question of President Noynoy may be sarcastic, but really, it flies in the face of aptitude, command responsibility, and leadership.

Let me parlay my being BOSS of the President (for the record, he did state that) to tell him that he is beginning to disappoint me.  

In a previous open letter, I wrote to the president that he should not allow the likes of Mar Roxas to state on international TV that "Nothing is good enough. Nothing is fast enough." It was defeatist. It was cynical. And it was an attitude of resignation. (Well, maybe Mr Palengke should do us all a favor and translate his attitude into action)

I say it again Mr. President, if this is the WORST Calamity to hit our country, then it should bring out the BEST in all of us, especially government.

Foremost of which is the Presidency. 

When a calamity of this magnitude strikes, your office needs to galvanize, to marshall, and to spur the ENTIRE country into one rousing, spirited and stirring movement.  You need to match Haiyan's fury with a call for patriotic duty. You need to face destruction with resolution, ruin with rebuild, and survival with revival.

It's not supposed to be "What else I should have done?" but 'What I should do."

You don't diminish your office by simply distributing relief goods and going around asking what went wrong. You don't dwell on statistics, and tell your people to ask people to explain in writing why they should not be mayor or police officer anymore.

You have bigger things to do Sir. 

You convene Congress in a special session, and rally the nation toward a grand plan. Pool the greatest minds in business, society, government, military and media and ask them to draw up a 90 day BANGON PILIPINAS project.

You seek an audience with the United Nations general assembly. Express our utmost appreciation to the world for their support, and present also the BANGON PILIPINAS project. We will need all the support we can get.

You set aside partisan politics. Convene all the governors and mayors, and sell them the BANGON plan. Maybe invite all living ex-presidents and place them as your advisory council. It's not a ticket to freedom or respect for them, especially those with unresolved issues of corruption or plunder. But it's one gesture that will help heal a divided nation.  

If you need to go province-to-province or door-to-door to explain to the people, do it. Use the internet and social media to have more effective campaign.

Easier said than done? Yes of course. More so if you don't have the intestinal fortitude to be above and beyond politics. Especially so when you don't have the mindset of the general good. And practically so when you don't really give a damn about this country.

Mr. President, you need to realize now that this is an extra ordinary moment. It cannot be addressed simply by insistence on established systems of governance or protocols. 

The moment calls for true LEADERSHIP.  And being President requires more than Charisma. It requires Character.

It's not just handing out relief goods to victims, it's about inspiring confidence in all of us. It's not just assisting the survivors, it's assuring the nation that everything will be well. Lastly, It's not about your presence in ground zero. It's about delivering your promise for a better Philippines.

You are not a volunteer worker. You are not a statistician. You are not a scenario planner. 

For heavensake, You are the President of the Republic of the Philippines!

Act like you are.

At the risk of being mocked, pilloried, crucified, damned, cursed, or worse, ignored or labelled as a troll, I will post this sentiment of mine in public. 

I can no longer understand why Pnoy himself cannot understand what we are seeking from him. 

It's really simple.

IT'S THE PRESIDENCY, STUPID!