Oppa Davos style

By the time this column sees print (deadlines being what they are), President Aquino will be attending the World Economic Forum in tony Davos, Switzerland. These things never seem to go well for him; despite shattering every globe-trotting record held by his well-traveled predecessor, he has never quite come to grips with the subtleties of being a Visiting Head of State, and so can be counted on to make at least one newsworthy gaffe. If there was ever a place for him to behave himself and take extra care not to say anything embarrassing or provocative, it is among the heavyweights at the WEF.

Unfortunately the President only seems to have one script for these kinds of affairs, and has an evident distaste for including anyone who might suggest it needs a bit of editing in the bloated entourage that usually accompanies him. Thus when he speaks at a sideline forum on anti-corruption as he is scheduled to do, he will again highlight how his administration has made corruption a thing of the past by mere proclamation. He will likely at some point also mention that the Philippines is “open for business,” and that a strong peso, an unexpected 7.1 percent jump in GDP in the third quarter, a booming stock market, imminent credit ratings upgrades, the prospects for becoming a rice exporter, and nightmarish traffic are all evidence of his wizard-like command over the economy and proof that his “straight path” is the right path.