It’s often been said that the first 100 days of a public official’s tenure is the so-called “honeymoon period” for him, the officials he chooses, and his constituents.
This is especially true for first-time officials who have to work double time to prove to their constituents that they are up to the task.
Here in Laguna province, where some local executives are on their first terms in office, public expectation is running very high – especially on those who toppled entrenched political dynasties that had lorded their towns or cities for so long.
During this period, this paper has noted an exceptionally high energy in which our “newbie” local officials immediately started off their terms here in Laguna province.
Now that the first 100 days in their office has passed, the so-called “honeymoon period” is over and the public will soon discover whether these local officials can, indeed, uphold the promises they made to the public.
In fact, it’s the months and years succeeding that first 100 days that we should become even more vigilant of our public officials.
Let us not let the negative Filipino virtue of “ningas-kugon” – or of starting off an activity enthusiastically but then losing that enthusiasm in the long run – permeate the local political scene in our province.
As a popular soap opera line goes, “Papunta pa lang tayo sa exciting na part.” As citizens, let’s keep our guard to ensure that that “exciting part” our public officials has promised for us will not end in bitter disappointment and disillusionment.