Some things happen when a strong leadership transitions to a weaker one, as what transpires now. We were fresh from the firm leadership of former president Rodrigo Duterte, with political will, almost an iron rule. But now we find ourselves under the new regime of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is not as strong as the old man was.
We are not drawing comparisons between the two; we try to avoid that because leaders have their own styles of governance. They have their own way of doing things. But it cannot also be helped. People cannot help but compare them since they are both public servants who are open to criticism and appraisal in our democratic society. Leaders have no business staying in power if they are not open to public opinion.
As a result of this new regime’s laxity in implementing orders and policies, which obviously results from the president’s natural kindness that is seemingly tantamount to a weak personality, people generally tend to abuse and pay him less respect. Neither do they fear him, unlike the general regard of the previous president. During President Duterte’s time, people especially in government were afraid to willfully commit anomalies. This time, that fear is gone, knowing that the present leadership is not that disciplinarian and punitive.
Such laxity could bring back the old illegal operations on which the Duterte administration had cracked down. The illegal drug trade may once again flourish; massive corruption may return; the insurgency problem may regain its losses, and the enablers of evil may come back with more vigor. In short, the gains and triumphs of the last administration will just be wasted, to the great frustration of those who avidly supported those programs.
The new administration and the president himself ought to be more resolute and firm, not a lame duck or a weakling. He should fight the enemies of the state, not allowing them to overwhelm him with propaganda, instead. Just because the communists, for instance, are crying “never again to iron rule” does not mean it is they whom he should obey. It’s the majority of the people—the peace-loving and law-abiding citizens and their welfare that he must attend to, and listen to—not the rebels, terrorists, and other burglars in society.
Secretary Balicasan supports sugar imporation only if……
In what could be considered as the official stand of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said “sugar importation should be allowed if local production is unable to meet the rising demand to prevent further price increases.”
He (Balicasan) was further quoted saying “Local production has to grow. Now if it cannot grow, imports should be allowed . Otherwise, prices will continue to skyrocket.”
It should be noted that sugar prices have been rising by over five percent per month since the start of 2022, a pace considered by observers as fast. NEDA honcho identifies the biggest problem of the sugar industry is the “insufficient volume of supply” – proven by the falling production in recent years, aggravated by typhoon Odette that hit the country during the cropping year.
The issue of sugar production shortfall has caused one of my fellow Outstanding Young Scientists departure from his post with the Department of Agriculture – referring to Dr. Leocadio Sebastian (who was VP of the Outstanding Young Scientists Association of the Philippines during my watch as President). This made me think naughtily that DA is not an office-friendly government agency as another fellow young scientist in Dr. William Dar got a “whipping” during his sojourn as secretary.
MY COMMENT:
Scientists are not meant to join the DA least suffer the destinies of my fellow outstanding young scientists – go elsewhere – science and politics are immiscible! Tomodachi-tachi Dr. Leo was for sugar importation, Dr. Balicasan is up production.
ooo000ooo
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