Noynoy should explain why illegal drugs flourished during his term

The recent “reemergence” of former President Noynoy Aquino (aka PNoy or President Noy during his term) appears to have triggered both curiosity and suspicion among keen political observers. 

The former President (now only known as Citizen Noynoy or plain Noynoy) appeared at an informal forum widely covered by the media at St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City the other week. The media reported that, for the most part, the former President refused to comment on current issues. The only “controversial” statement he made was his reference to those who support President Duterte.

The papers quoted Noynoy as saying he “could not fault people for their decisions,” adding that “they may just be lacking in information and have gone astray.”

The curious now wonder if the derisive statement was a subtle dig by Noynoy on the 16 million (some say 20 million) Filipinos who voted for the former mayor of Davao City rather than for his anointed, defeated presidential aspirant Mar Roxas in the recent elections. It will be recalled that Noy referred to the elections as a referendum on his presidency.

The curious also wonder if the reemergence of Aquino at that informal forum was the signal of the end to his self-imposed reclusion. There are speculations that he is now set to assume a higher profile and perhaps even to lend his voice to the raging conflict in the national political arena.

Besides those of the curious, the suspicious also have questions of their own.

Two questions stand out

First, was Aquino’s reemergence into public view a sign that the yellow brigade is sensing some vulnerability in the political armor of the incumbent President?

Second, is Aquino preparing to position himself as the voice and symbol of political forces opposed to the President?

Both questions appear to have some basis.

Has the yellow brigade seen the chink in the President’s armor? If yes, that chink could be the unrelenting bashing of the President by anti-Duterte forces in social media. The bashing is capitalizing on impressions that certain international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union are now at odds with the President.

The same bashers have reportedly been attempting to snowball social media posts inferring that there have been adverse developments in the capital markets and in the economy for which the President is apparently to blame.

Are the stepped-up social media attacks on the President and the sudden reemergence of Aquino part of an orchestrated effort? Is this part of an alleged plot recently bared by communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon which, according to them, are being hatched by some shadowy politicians and businessmen with inspiration and backing from a global superpower?

If true – and we say, “if” – then the move of Aquino is both sound and logical.

After all, the incessant ranting of anti-Duterte social media habitués would remain unproductive unless they present an alternative to the object of the bashing. At this point, the so-called political opposition is headless. Vice President Leni Robredo has said time and again that she supports the sitting President and that this is no time to fragment the country and to plunge it into chaos.

The only other prominent and vocal opposition figure is the beleaguered Sen. Leila de Lima. Unfortunately, De Lima is mired in her own political woes and setbacks. Last week, a hysterical De Lima again claimed she was being “persecuted” by the administration.

However, she has so far failed to rally public sympathy and support behind her. Worse, there are quarters who reportedly believe that allegations against her concerning links to the illegal drugs trade may have some bases.

Other supposed opposition figures identified with the Aquino-Roxas forces do not seem to be predisposed to lead the fight against the administration. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, observers note, has been very quiet.

Mar Roxas, meanwhile, appears uninterested in any involvement in politics. This is expected. It would be difficult for Roxas to lash out at an administration led by the very man who roundly trounced him the last elections.

So, there is no other viable figurehead, face and voice to a political opposition other than Aquino. Noynoy alone has the name and stature that could help rally and perhaps even unify the forces that are now working to either oust the President or make his war against illegal drugs fail.

There’s just one setback

Should Aquino assume the role of opposition voice and face, issues that have hounded him in the past could likewise reemerge.

He may have to do his own explaining as to why the illegal-drugs trade flourished under his “Daang Matuwid” administration and why he did not attempt to stop it with the same passion and determination as that of his successor.