Aquino mans up, finally

This week, I wrote the lines “The buck stops at the helm of this country’s leadership. It stops where Aquino sits.”

Yesterday, Inquirer.net wrote: “Aquino takes responsibility for hostage fiasco” (by Norman Bordadora)

The article in full, reads:

“MANILA, Philippines – The buck stops at the highest office of the land. (underscoring supplied)

President Benigno Aquino III has owned up to all the blame in connection with the failed hostage rescue that resulted in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists and strained relations with China.

“At the end of the day, I am responsible for everything that has transpired,” Mr. Aquino told reporters in the course of expressing his thoughts on Senator Francis Escudero’s remarks that Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo would have a tough confirmation process before the Commission on Appointments.

Escudero, a political ally of Aquino, criticized Robredo for failing to take charge of the crisis situation that rapidly deteriorated on the evening of August 23 when a botched rescue operation resulted in the deaths of the hostage-taker, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, and eight Hong Kong tourists.”

Here’s another one from GMANews.TV: “PNoy on hostage tragedy: I am responsible for everything”

And still, another from mb.com.ph: “Chief Executive owns up to bunged handling of hostage crisis” (by Genalyn Kabiling)

I had written too, the lines “It is no accident that the words “botched” and “bungled” have nearly become as popular as “jejemon” in the recent week. These words connote a lack or even absence of knowledge: “jejemon” in spelling and grammar; “botched” and “bungled” in leadership and management.”

I did so not to embarrass the President; he was doing an exceptional job at that all by himself --- up until he made this admission.

Yes, Mr. President, you are responsible.

The truth is, everyone knew all along. The 80,000 who marched in Hong Kong, the international community, and everyone else here at home who didn’t have blinders on knew ultimately that a crisis of such magnitude, with far-reaching economic and diplomatic repercussions, ultimately and proportionately will have to be the responsibility of the country’s Chief Executive.

It did not help that neither the President nor those that surrounded him failed to realize that on August 23, when for 11 hours, one man held not just a bus-full of tourists, but an entire country hostage. It did not help that for more than a week, the President and his supporters chose to take a much-too-defensive stance against criticisms. It did not help that the country was urged to “move on” like the concepts of accountability and command responsibility were to be blamed for our very stagnation.

It was in fact patently selfish to have even considered “moving on” as an option when the families of the victims, their country, and the world have not and cannot possibly move on, just yet.

Hindi ba’t sa daang matuwid, habang iwinawasto ang pagkakamali, pinapanagot rin ang nagkamali? Is it not by this measure that His Excellency wishes Gloria Arroyo to be held accountable for her administration’s abuses --- justice before reconciliation, before appeasement, before moving on?

No, Aquino should not resign, personalities in his Cabinet should. He enjoys the direct mandate of the Filipino people, but his men do not. He has manned up to his mistakes, Robredo, Coloma, and Carandang have not. They are as Edcel Lagman said, “palpably incompetent and culpably indifferent.”

An inexperienced leader should, at the very least, surround himself with competent advisers. (DPG)