They Can’t Really Wait

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my thoughts on how some people can’t wait. After I sent that piece, I thought to myself, maybe, that was nothing but some pointless ranting. On one hand, there is some wisdom in early laying of groundwork. After all, incoming elected officials could not deny their awareness of approaching positions and functions. Some may say that such reactions are manifestations of overexcitement, but the public has to appreciate the eager willingness and foresight on performing duties of governance. If the mayors could fine tune plans and start conferring with stakeholders on this early stage, then implementation and services to the citizens could materialize similarly earlier. On one hand, why wait? If one has the privilege of foreknowledge, then, by all means, utilized the opportunity to accomplish more. One could say that such intentional initiatives speak of industry and hard work.

But I scratch my head and am left with open mouth and eyes open in making out of recent events. I remember Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo having been inaugurated on the same day as Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte (although held in different venues). Former Vice President Jojo Binay was also inaugurated on the same day as former President Noynoy Aquino. I think many people forget that Noli de Castro who has since returned to broadcast media was vice president to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and they were inaugurated on the same day, at the same venue. I don’t want to go back any further, but I suppose FVR and Erap, Cory and Doy, Ferdinand Marcos and Fernando Lopez (back when Marcos still wanted to have a vice president), the other President and Vice President tandems before them were inaugurated together on the same place, on the same day.

1987 Philippine Constitution Article 7 Section 4states that “. The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date, six years thereafter.” Okay, so, maybe the June 30 date isn’t explicitly indicated on the constitution; making it merely traditional. Maybe that’s why some officials say that there is no problem with an earlier inauguration. So, I guess, an inauguration can be held anytime between the proclamation and the assumption of office on June 30.

But diversion from traditions are not really that light. If you traditionally visit your family in your hometown on Christmas for years; and decide not to practice thattradition , maybe there’s something to it. If you traditionally celebrate your birthday on the beach, or traditionally buy a dozen roses on Valentine’s , then decide to change it, there must be something to it. (But then again, maybe you just want some little changes with not much behind it.)

I understood why President Duterte and VP Leni held their inauguration in different venues. Come on. They’re not exactly two peas who would fit in one pod. So, I guess to avoid any possible discomfort or inconvenience, the separate events is acceptable. But is this not Uniteam? Had they not been promoting “unity”, being one? Why separate or go at it a few days ahead when they’re supposed to be “one”? GMA and Kabayan ran together, won together and got inaugurated together. I think that makes sense.

When I had our series of defenses for our MA degrees, I and my classmates decided that it would be beneficial for us to have our defenses scheduled one after the other; in other words, all in one day. It was a strategy. The panelists would come to the university in just one day for multiple defenses, making it convenient for them. The three of us, classmates contributed for one set of snacks, spending for a third of the amount that we should have spent. Because after all, the panelists wouldn’t want to be served three sets of snacks one after another in a period of about two hours. It worked for all of us.

I suppose the same would go for an inauguration or separate inaugurations. I guess, somehow, there would be some if not many people who would go to the same events. If there were just one event, they would be saving much on logistics. They would be saving on catering, venue preparation, media coverage expenses, wardrobe of individual attendees. If I were one of the staff of the Uniteam campaign, then I would have to prepare two sets of formal attire for separate events. I have had enough difficulty looking for just one barong. If I were either the President elect or the Vice President elect, we would save on food if we had the event together. (But then again, I guess, spending isn’t much of an issue to them, or at least one of them.)

Maybe, I’m just making too much a big deal out of this.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” -Ephesians 4:3