Step In The Right Direction

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRES. BONGBONG MARCOS JR.

            In the aftermath of the May 12, 2025 mid-term polls, the Marcos Administration must now focus on the most important mission – to build a lasting legacy as it enters the final three years of its term.

           With no significant accomplishments recorded in the last three years, which is of course debatable as the usual drumbeaters and rah-rah boys will be quick to point out that I am wrong, the President’s immediate task is to put his house in order lest it finds itself falling off the cliff with anxiety and restlessness written in the faces of the business community and other sectors of society particularly that part on whose support the survival of the government rests.

           Mr. Marcos must man up and take the helm of M/V Pilipinas to steer the government back on course. From here on, the President will have to make tough decisions beginning with a sweeping Cabinet revamp. He must appoint officials who are not just qualified and capable of the office they will hold but officials armed with impeccable character and integrity and not some sleazy local politician who is more of a liability than an asset.

          Collectively, the President can seek counsel of well-meaning business and political leaders but at the end of the day the final decision on whom to appoint rests on the shoulders of the President. There are tough decisions to be made. But these have to be done for the good of the country and people. This is why it is said that the presidency is a lonely job.

           The time for the settling of the debt of gratitude is over. That should have been done in the first two or three years. The final three years should be spent on the building of a legacy of accomplishments and achievements that would resonate throughout the nation for years to come.

The President has two choices – to just survive and finish his term wallowing in mediocrity or to establish a legacy that will be attached to his name – where every nook and cranny of the country will speak his name with honor, respect, esteem, admiration and reverence.

If the Marcos Administration want a continuance of its governance, it must make sure that it succeeds in regaining its bearings to achieve even half of what he promised he would do when he ran for President in 2022.

The 2028 national elections will be decided based on what this current administration has done and to date the country lies in ruins from political intramurals and from the abject greed of some political leaders who have started campaigning for the 2028 presidency even when the current President has yet to take his oath of office.

There is something that many political leaders in this country forget either by chance or design. When a President is sworn into office, all political leaders regardless of their creed or color must gravitate towards the presidency as a show of unity and solidarity. Everyone – the Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Cabinet Members must stand and form a circle around the presidency. When all hands are on board then you can be assured of a sturdy ship that is ready to withstand even the perils of the North Sea.

I am speaking from what I saw and witnessed during the Ramos Administration in 1992-1998 which saw three Senate Presidents who belong from different political persuasion – Neptali Gonzales (1992-1993), Edgardo Angara (1993-1995), Neptali Gonzales (1995-1996) and Ernesto Maceda (1996-1998). Yet President Fidel V. Ramos was able to push with its priority legislation through dialogue and cooperation. FVR created the LEDAC (Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council) to serve as an advisory and consultative body to the President.

In contrast, instead of providing the President with the support he needs to further the national economic agenda, some political leaders who are driven by power and ambition began expanding their own political base by buying the loyalty of political opportunists.

A good starting point for the President is to discard the irritants that have dragged his administration to the bottom of the pit - especially those who dragged you down and caused your Approval and Trust Ratings to plummet. First and foremost, of these is to secure, safeguard and exercise prudence in government budgeting and spending, Sadly, the public coffers have been treated by some enterprising politicos as their own piggy bank. This must stop. This wanton graft and corrupt practice must end. And the only one who can do this is the President.

The national coffers belong to the people and not to a select few and to be brazenly apportioned into a wasteful spending spree in the guise of financial relief for the poor – a program that has only instituted mendicancy instead of inspiring fecundity.

You still have a chance Mr. President. The current political disequilibrium can still be salvaged but it has to give way to a disciplined, accountable, transparent, inspiring and transformational leadership. Your recent statement for all to put a stop to political bickering and focus on nation-building is a step in the right direction. So is your plan to sit down and dialogue with certain political groups that were formerly allied with you and your Administration.  

If need be, also study the ways of the previous presidents before you including the governance style of your Uncle Fidel and even that of former President GMA. Pick up what is good and scrap those things you are not comfortable with. But the important thing is for you Mr. President to be the President that you were elected to. The 2022 polls gave you a chance at redemption.

The country counts on you. Please don’t blow it!