Editorial

Editorial Cartoon by The Bedan Herald

The First 100 Days of BBM

By The Bedan Herald |  February 20, 2022 

AFTER six years, the Philippines underwent yet another Presidential election. Like every voting season, politicians would compromise, pledge, and assure the citizens of something to win the people’s votes. On June 30, 2022, after one of the most controversial elections, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was declared the 17th president of the Philippines. Promising to revive the courses of action left by his late dictator father and to continue the right of way during the Duterte administration, after over three months, the time to assess his administration’s performance—the first 100 days of President Marcos Jr. finally came. Let’s take a look at what he’s done so far. 

When one looks at the members of Marcos’ Cabinet, one would see a group of technocrats and political allies. During its first few days, the administration’s main goal was getting the Philippine economy back on track after years of COVID-19 lockdowns. Marcos also refocused the previous administration’s drug war to a more civilized strategy, delayed some stalled Chinese infrastructure projects, and soothed all the red-tagging and fuss over constitutional reform during Duterte’s term. Consecutive meetings, including those with United States President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, also quickly repaired damaged ties, opening doors for the development of the two countries’ bilateral security cooperation.

By the end of his term, the President promised that the Philippines should have a majority of middle-class citizens and that by 2028, the country’s poverty rate would already be below ten percent. Also serving as the Department of Agriculture’s secretary, he mentioned long-standing problems and claimed that in his first 100 days in office, he had been able to “put out fires.” Current statistics, however, are not favorable to their claims. Inflation in the Philippines reached a four-year high of 6.9 percent in September. The unemployment rate also increased to 5.3 percent. More importantly, the peso keeps on sinking to record-low levels. 

The President is seen as the parent of the nation, and a high degree of care will be felt whenever the country needs its help, especially during moments of despair and tragedy. But ever since President Marcos won the elections in May, he and his family have been more active in celebrating—having partied eight remarkable and lavish birthdays and other events as the Philippines is going through a terrible economic slump. His celebrations drew attention to a recurring behavioral design where the seated family enjoys showcasing their money and influence while most Filipinos deal with their battles. On Oct. 2, the President had an unannounced trip to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore, while the Philippines was left experiencing flooding, which affected hundreds of households and big farmlands during a super typhoon.  

It was also concerning how rampant fake news and manipulation of information have been circling, adding that the National Archives of the Philippines, the National Historical Commission, and the National Library were all cut short of funding. Not only this but vloggers were urged to join the Press Corps in the Presidential Palace, managing the media narrative, as many are known to spread false information freely. Could it be an administration that maneuvers?

A dictator’s son, who pledged to continue his father’s emblems, is now starting his term surrounded by countless trolls orbiting around social media platforms, influencing people’s views by distorting the country’s history, and YouTube influencers being given more relevance than journalists.

The President’s first 100 days did not resolve anything grand. Bare minimum response, one could argue. Nothing is outstanding about what he did during the initial months. Filipinos deeply care about family ties and possibly elected him while envisioning him as a parent who will take good care of his people. But it is crystal clear how the President lacks presence whenever the country needs him the most. His urge to connect to reach the underprivileged could not be seen in his retort. The President’s “priorities” seemed to be not focused on them. His preference in appointing is also questionable in that people being assigned to a position are either his family relatives or their allies already—sometimes neglecting the actual qualifications needed for the position. It may be too early to tell. However, these crucial days already tell us something, perhaps a glimpse of how and what will be the system, the procedure, and the response of the current administration will be taking tracks in the next following years up until the end of his term.

Volume 28 | Issue 3