Pinoys have had enough of PNoy

Some 80 days before the future ex-President steps down from office, discussions regarding his legacy are rising to higher decibels.

One of the questions being raised now is how will the future ex-President be remembered and whether or not he will fall victim to what is popularly called “LSS” – “last-song syndrome.”

“LSS” is when one hears a song with a catchy tune and ends up humming or singing portions of that song the rest of the day. The song becomes semi-permanently embedded in that person’s mental data bank and is easily retrieved when the person goes into a musical mode or mood.

Usually, it is the last significant experience that creates the same “LSS” syndrome.

If that would be the case, then the future ex-President may be in trouble as far as his legacy is concerned.

Here are the candidates for “LSS.”

One, that great Naia 3 Blackout.

Two, the unfortunate clash of policemen with farmers begging for rice in Kidapawan.

Three, the never-ending woes on the part of the throngs of Filipinos commuting daily via the Edsa MRT.

Four, the prolonged and continuing suffering of Filipinos in Leyte who were devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

Five, the death of the SAF 44 in a bungled operation kept secret from the Chain of Command.

It is said that there are two experiences that make for powerful LSS – those that are “ecstatic” and those that are “traumatic.”

In the absence of authentically ecstatic experiences on the part of Filipinos during this particular future ex-President’s regime, chances are the traumatic ones will be the more lasting images of his presence in our lives.

The five experiences that are bound to become this Aquino regime’s LSS are definitely traumatic. They also remind people of several things that have already compounded their trauma.

One, this Aquino’s stubborn backing of his friends and “barkadas” whom he appointed to various government positions and whom he refuses to fire despite their blatant display of glaring incompetence.

This traumatic experience may have erased any and all appreciation for this Aquino’s claims that the people are his “boss.” At the end of the day, this Aquino will be remembered for his loyalty – not the same one displayed by the great statesman Manuel L. Quezon. His loyalty has been first and foremost to his cronies, classmates and friends.

In a way, the trauma suffered by Filipinos under this Aquino’s regime has been no different from that of the first Aquino president – the late Cory.

Both regimes have been characterized by major natural disasters, major transportation problems, and very, very major electric-power crises.

Cory was better at coping with the aftermath of a major earthquake and volcanic eruption. She had competent executive teams to support her. She was also inspiring in the face of disasters.

Not so with this Aquino. His presence has been marked more by either outright apathy or ranting. This tendency came into full display first during the massacre of Hong Kong tourists early on in his career and was replayed in the aftermath of the massacre of the SAF 44.

Mother and son both faced major transportation crises. Neither of them solved this problem. It was President Fidel V. Ramos who successfully liberalized both transportation and telecoms sector and bridged the gaps there. It was also Ramos who began reforms in the electric-power sector.

Mother and son both saw the massacre of farmers under their respective regimes. Cory actively handled the Mendiola massacre and had the courage to fire, on the basis of command responsibility, a general whom she trusted so much.

Days after the Kidapawan clash, nothing had been heard from the younger Aquino.

Cory managed to get the presidential candidate of her choice win the elections and succeed her.

There are serious doubts the younger Aquino could duplicate the feat.

Filipinos are a forgiving people.

It is likely we will let the younger Aquino get away with the trauma he has caused us – all for his mother whom our people dearly love.

It is unlikely though that the people would oblige him with a successor of his choice. We forgive him but we have had enough of him. Once he exits, we hope to get this country running back on track, managed by competent, professional executives accountable to the people for their performance.