How Ronnie Puno plans to introduce 'new politics'

This should serve as a welcome respite and definitely a breather; Secretary Ronnie Puno calling for a new way to play politics in this country.

We all know what the secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government means; what he means is that every player in the field should stop the trend of pushing for politics of negativity and mudslinging and the 2010 elections could serve as the perfect time to exercise a new form of politics and the perfect time to exercise in civility as well. Ronnie Puno’s take on the new form of politics was shared by the secretary during his speaking engagement at the Manila Overseas Press Club or the MOPC. In his speech that was delivered on that same gathering, he offered his insights on how to improve the way politicians and political personalities can help in transforming the way we do politics. He said that now is the time to end the meaningless partisan divisions that divide them, and that he believes that now is the time to have a fresh start for the country’s politics. He said that this new form of politics is a politics that is characterized by civility and decorum and this is the same politics that he is willing to promote in time for next year’s elections. In his own words;

And rhetoric has to be matched by action. Even when chosen by my party to be its vice-presidential candidate, I pledge to help elevate the campaign to a higher more decent plane. By focusing on issues and refraining from engaging my rivals in name-calling or character assassination. I will not personally attack my opponents and will recognize whatever positive actions they have done in the past or during the campaign.

These are the words and the promise coming from Secretary Ronnie Puno. And the challenge is for other politicians and interested personalities to follow suit, considered by the DILG chief as his friends. By making this promise, the secretary has made a compelling contribution to the political exercise; and we all wait how others responds to this call of new politics.