October 27,2010
Liberals Pave Straight Path for Aquino
Government
“The road may be
narrow, steep, and slippery,
but nevertheless
remains straight. As we pursue
this agenda of
good governance on the straight
path led by PNoy, our people will, in due course, ultimately reap
the benefits of
freedom and democracy. This straight
road ahead will over time widen opportunities for all, particularly
those who have been marginalized from politics and economics.”
This was how Atty. Chito Gascon, Managing Trustee of the
National
Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS) and Director-General of
the
Liberal Party of the Philippines
(LP) described the role of NIPS and LP in the Aquino administration.
Members of NIPS gathered at the premises of the Friedrich Naumann
Foundation for Liberty (FNF) in Makati City on 27 October 2010 to
discuss how liberal organizations could support the government of
President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Dr. Neric Acosta, NIPS Chairman and LP Vice President for Mindanao,
acknowledged the tension among the different interest groups that
contributed in the victory of President Noynoy Aquino. He said
that it is
LP’s responsibility to be the
mediator, and that LP should be at the
forefront
of change. “I believe that LP is the catalyst to
institutionalize reforms in politics with people power as its
guide,” Dr. Acosta stressed.
Atty. Chito Gascon, Managing Trustee of the National Institute
for Policy Studies (NIPS) and Director-General of the Liberal
Party of the Philippines (LP) |
Dr. Edna Co, Dean of the
University
of the Philippines National College for Public Administration
and Governance (UP NCPAG), shared that there may be frustrations
“because of the ambivalence of the President and his weak
decisions, but people should give him space.” “There
is a democratic hole that President Aquino has to deal with. He
was elected by varied groups whose expectations he cannot fail,”
said Dr. Co. She conveyed that she appreciated the political attitude
of NIPS and LP. “The analysis of the political environment
in this meeting was two-edged:
sharp, real and honest,
but supportive. I have high hopes that we will
achieve
reforms, and now I have higher regard for LP,”
she expressed.
The occasion also welcomed FNF’s Country Director Jules
Maaten who stated that the Philippines was a
beacon of
hope for democracy. “The political participation
of Filipinos is remarkable. The fight against martial rule up
to ensuring credible and honest elections on May 10, 2010 were
phenomenal,” commented Mr. Maaten.
The partnership of NIPS and FNF was also discussed. Mr. Gerry Bulatao,
NIPS Auditor, solicited FNF’s support to continue bringing
liberalism to localities. “Jules as a politician knows that
it is important to cultivate relations with local government units.
He understands that politics is local,” said Mr. Bulatao.
NIPS recently held a series of Democracy Forum on the Liberal Agenda,
which also revived the
League of Local Liberal Legislators
(L4). NIPS also revitalized the
Liberal Caucus
of Congressional Staff (LCCS) “to professionalize
their ranks, foster closer cooperation and help promote liberal
legislation.”
