“Kayo ang boss ko”-a statement clearly sworn by Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III on his Inaugural speech last June 30, 2010. If there would be a list of trendy lines a president had uttered, that line would probably be part of it. It has always been an Aquino strategy to make the Filipinos feel much important. I guess it is visible how it has been effective towards the Filipino people for years. Noynoy was a former senator with little legislative records to talk about. However, the way his campaign promotes his eagerness to stop corruption, with its main slogan “pag walang korupt, walang mahirap”, touches the majority of the Filipinos. Noynoy’s victory is a confirmation that the main issue for the Filipino people is poverty due to corruption. People voted for Noynoy because they were sick and tired of the never-ending cases of graft and corruption involving the names of the country’s executives. His slogan may or may not be true, thus, it rings a bell and has attracted a broad number of people to support Noynoy in the election.

According to TV news, Social Weather Station survey shows that a number of registered voters became optimistic that their lives will improve in Aquino’s regime. The survey confirms that the expectations of the masses have increased after Noynoy’s victory. This will eventually become a heavier load to our President. Pressures will surely sap his energy and a simple mistake would surely cover up his right moves. Filipinos became more optimistic about their future because of two simple reasons. First, it is by nature that the Filipino people expect for something good towards a new leader after the election. Secondly, it’s because of Noynoy’s high promises. He mentioned about his anti-poverty theme, unveiling of new programs on job creation, income generation, universal health care, access to quality education, and more infrastructure to address the needs of the poor. Weighing it all up, raised expectations towards president Noynoy can be a double-edged sword, because it simultaneously represents the misplaced illusions of the masses, but also indicates their increased confidence and trust, which are actually the foundation of good work. But since all eyes are on him now, at this very moment, people already sees his mistakes. On a blog posted by Belinda Olivares-Cunanan, she has stated that it is a fault by Noynoy not to recognize the Supreme Court Chief. Ultimately, this will trigger an unwelcome crisis in the government. Then here comes the issue of the “wang-wang”. Vice president Binay clearly stated that in different aspects, this becomes a wrong move by the president. I must say that the president has a point when he said that it is hard to endure being rudely pushed away by the siren-blaring escorts of those who display their position and power over the people. However, as a president, he should understand that officials use “wang-wang” to help them carry out the tasks they need to do which are time-bounded. People that are shoved away can say it is unfair but we all know that these people in higher positions carry load heavier than normal people do. And another thing, it isn’t safe for these people to stay in traffic roads for they might meet different life-threatening situations that can harm the innocent people around. Another thing is his fix relationship towards his running-mate, Mar Roxas. The open display of his attention towards his defeated running-mate can totally affect his working relationship towards Binay. There will be no good governance without harmony. In that case, our vice president and president will be like a cat and dog opposing to each other’s point of view. A key agenda of the Noynoy’s presidency which is to eliminate poverty and to start change will badly fracture the elite class because to end poverty the poor must be in power. On a second thought, Noynoy Aquino is a part of this status quo. He’s from an elite family, so his class will surely be affected on his theme.

President Aquino vowed to adhere to the democratic ideals, stressing his own contributions would be in bringing the benefits of democracy to all the people. He promised to stamp corruption in our government and stable the economic status of the country. For sure, there will be more happenings to come. There will be plenty of social, economic, political, cultural, globally linked issues. But I believe, a problem that is posed in cooperation of the mass movement will be given a more effective solution. Higher expectations can be a positive factor. The mass needs to build on these expectations and at the same time develop them. The character of the mass movement that needs to develop today is one that will challenge the Noynoy government to keep its promises, however vague these might be, but as interpreted by the mass movement, and at the same time extend it to include the more substantial demands of the masses. After all, Philippines is a democratic country.

On top of this, let’s give the Aquino administration at least one year of undistracted chance. Let’s try things to uplift our selves and not just to depend on the government, because if we all just set our eyes of what’s wrong and never do what’s right, then we all end up losing.