COMMENTARY.

Byline: Economic Agenda Team of Noynoy Aquino

We believe the failure of governance is the main obstacle to the country's long-run economic growth and ability to respond to the people's most urgent needs.

The failure of governance - the inability to enforce an adherence to the demands of law and the lack of will to uphold the people's lawful demands - is everywhere evident. It is seen, among others, in unchecked grand corruption, the cynical and self-serving nature of many public appointments, the disregard for the letter and the spirit of constitutional rule, the failure to control crime and violence from private armed groups, and the pervasive culture of pride and impunity displayed by many who hold public office.

Of all these, however, the …