100 days

The countdown ends today as President Benigno Simeon Aquino III finally gives his first 100 days in office report and just like everyone else, I am so eager to hear what the chief executive has to say. For now, we can only guess.



But talks were rife, and I fully agree, that the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) recommendations on the August 23 hostage incident will be the highlight of PNoy’s report. Today, after a long wait, it will be known who among the 12 personalities who were recommended by the IIRC to be sanctioned will be hailed to court.



So, there are two significant events that will unfold today- PNoy’s talk on his first 100 days and the much awaited announcement of Malacanang’s review of the De Lima panel’s investigation report.



After that, we can all buckle down to work and start another countdown. Christmas countdown, that is.



As of this writing, the Palace was still finalizing the details of the president’s report which comes 99 days after he was formally sworn into office. Officials said the president has “several engagements” on Friday, the REAL 100th day.



It is no doubt that the August 23 hostage crisis was the biggest problem Aquino faced during his first 100 days. I wonder what other problems would plague him in his LAST 100 days in office six years from now.



His administration had a considerably bad start. The end of his first 100 days should offer a fresh start. A new beginning. So let us all keep our fingers crossed and keep hoping for change because so far the only change we have seen was from bad to worse.



Let the end of this honeymoon period serve as an impetus for the president to rethink his previous positions on several issues and to immediately correct the perceived defects of his administration. For one, PNoy should find a middle ground where the “Samar” and “Balay” factions in Malacanang could meet and patch up their differences.These evolving power blocks, if unchecked, could destabilize the present government in the long run.



Without the support of local government units for cracking the whip on jueteng and for losing the confidence of the Church over his pro-choice position on reproductive health, I seriously wonder who would remain with the president to see him through up to his last days in office.



And with an ugly infighting among his own people, PNoy must be very careful.