Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THERE seems to be a consensus on the giant legacy of President Ramos. Nearly all columnists I read rank him in the highest tier of presidents and many like me consider him easily the greatest president the Philippines has had by a huge margin. Many note his maturity, temperament, work ethic, but most of all, his record. Thus, he left a huge legacy. Yet, it seems it has not resonated as much with the people at large, as compared to say President Cory Aquino when she passed away and changed the dynamic that propelled her son, previously not seen as a strong candidate for president, to become the favorite and perhaps the apex of combined necro and dynastic politics in the Philippines. That regressive politics seems to have become more widespread here than any other country. There is anecdotal evidence as three of our last four presidents are children of prior presidents. If polling holds, a good chance the next one too. Sadly, it is merely a reflection of what is the usual at provincial and local levels. President Ramos was a leader in that as well. He did not try to perpetuate a family political dynasty. Sorry for the digression as that is a topic for another time, except to note that even in that, Ramos was a positive exception to the dynastic tradition in Philippine politics.
