CONTINUITY IS BETTER THAN CHANGE

             

Data shows that in 2010, the Philippine economy is at $198B. But as President Aquino ends his 6-year term, it has grown to a $320B economy. This surpassed half of all the Presidents of the country with a term of 40 years. Also during his term, the average GDP growth is at 6.2 percent. The World Economic Forum (WEF) also supports this information where in the competitive ranking of the country increased by 7 slots from 52 in 2013-2014 to 59 in 2014-2015.  Moreover, according to the report, the country’s gain of 33 places since 2010 is the largest over that period among all countries studied. In terms of the investment desirability of the country, during the past administration, at least eight sovereign credit rating upgrades were acquired.

            So, what are the implications of these on the upcoming presidential elections? A lot.

            The current system of voting for our leaders allows a big possibility for the occurrence of conflict of interest. Since the president and vice president are voted separately, chances are both do not come from the same political party, as historical records show. Upon being sworn into office, these two, will have a mismatch in the direction they want to lead the country in. Perhaps, the elected president’s main priority is the abolition of crime, the vice president wanted to focus on employment creation. This conflict of interest and lack of agreed upon political platform severely damages the economy.

Source: http://www.investphilippines.info/arangkada/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Screen-Shot-2016-01-06-at-4.19.54-PM.png

            Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows the yearly growth rate of two of the most common economic indicators we use – Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Income (GNI). Upon further scrutiny, one can see the almost scheduled dip in the country’s performance during the change of a new administration. A notable example is the second people power revolution where the incumbent Joseph Estrada was ousted to be replaced by his vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Another obvious economic slowdown was the change of administration from Arroyo to the current president, Benigno Aquino Jr.

            What have we learned so far? Change in political administration is an extremely crucial factor that detrimentally affects the economic performance of a country. Why? Call it lag. The most sought after goal of economic development do not happen overnight. It takes months for a certain program or policy to be placed in practice and years, sometimes decades, to see the desired effect. The K-12 educational system that was adopted for the purpose of producing skilled Filipino laborers may only produce advantageous effect years or even decades from today. This means the economic direction that the former President spent 6 years in establishing will lose its leverage. Due to inconsistent policies prioritized by changing leaders, the country’s economic progress is halted. Back to ground zero, if you please.

            One does not need to be an economist to figure things out - continuity is better than change. With the above achievements cited earlier, presidential candidate Mar Roxas, undoubtedly, is the best man for the job at hand. With his experience working with the previous administration, he will be able to translate these rankings and rates into something that is tangible – a development that is seen and felt. We need a leader that is consistent with the policies of the Aquino administration. The country needs to be coherent in its infrastructure building, foreign policies and development programs. We need someone who will continuously build on what the past administration had already built, not someone who will destroy it in lieu for his own personal and political interest.

            It is time for the Filipinos to let go of the typical “business as usual” way of doing politics. We are better than that. We deserve more. This coming election, we should vote for continuity over change. Building on what has been established, continuing the straight path to progress and pushing through further development is what the country needs right now. It is never the grass is always greener on the other side. Rather, and very aptly put, the grass is greener where you water it.