Many comments have been made about PNoy, many of them complimentary, some less so, and still others critical or dismissive. But one thing at least is clear, he has set his mind and heart against corruption and is doing much to pursue his fight persistently. After all, he got elected on a platform of “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” 

In battling corruption, he has come out swinging against venalities in different institutions: the Armed  Forces, the Philippine National Police, the Ombudsman, the Church and now, the Supreme Court.  He has also pursued former high government officials like President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Comelec chairman Benjamin  Abalos. Has he been courageous or has he been foolhardy? Has he been persevering or has he been only stubborn?

His fight against corruption in the AFP  and PNP  seems to have produced some results, with charges being filed against big fish in these organiztions . At least one general is now in jail and another committed suicide in what many construed as an admission of guilt. The Ombudsman, threatened with impeachment, also resigned, thus removing what was perceived as a big stumbling block to the prosecution  of many perpetrators of corrupt acts. The administration  was able to bring before the Senate several bishops to b e questioned regarding   allocations to them of service vehicles. The bishops, however, were able to vindicate themselves. It turned out not one vehicle was a Pajero, and that they were given and used for legitimate  public service. (I must admit that in one case, though, one bishop  seemed  to have acted inappropriately through his letter to PGMA. The battle to unseat Chief Justice Renato Corona is on-going with the prosecution appearing to flounder.

All in all, these processes to prosecute suspected wrongdoing are beneficial to the country. People perceive them to be so. That is why the popularity of the President has remained high.

However, there are some negative elements in the President’s campaign, and some factors that militate against his success. First of these is the deterioration of the situation of poverty in the country. More people are hungry today, and the economic growth has been slower this year as compared to last year. While the issue of corruption is necessary, the economy is of the utmost importance. A country rid of corruption but remaining poor will not be of much credit to this president

Second, the issue of Sec. Llamas is an important one, even though the President does not seem to appreciate its gravity. The way he handles it makes it appear that he coddles some persons and will spare them no matter what the public says  This is not the first instance of apparent inequality in the application of standards. The President must surely know that his tolerance of Llamas’ mistakes will contribute to the erosion of his credibility.

Another factor that will weaken  support for his fight against corruption is if he continues to push for the RH bill. Whether he likes it or not,  a big segment of the population rejects the RH bill and  is being alienated by his perceived continuing support for it. He needs all the allies he can get in the very important fight against corruption. He also needs to husband all his energy towards the success of this anti-corruption campaign and the improvement of the economy. It would be a pity if he loses needed allies by sticking to an unwise piece of proposed legislation.