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| President Marcos addressing the Filipino community during a U.S. trip in September 2022. Lambert Parong |
ON MY WATCH
BY MANUEL L. CABALLERO
BBM ADMINISTRATION: NINGAS KOGON MENTALITY; RECKLESS EXTRAVAGANCE; CREATIVE IMAGINATION AND FRUITLESS TRIPS ABROAD
OMW "2022 TWELVE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILIPINA AMERICANS IN NJ"
Immediately after the PH election last year, we wrote the following in this space:
"Filipino politicians and their followers who engaged in illicit election activities last May 9 are determined to further erode and destroy democracy in that country. Those who engineered vote-buying and whitewashing of history, red tagging to instill fear among voters and those who deliberately resorted to violence.
As a Filipino netizen aptly said in her post addressing those people, "You did not win, the whole country lost!
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Six months after BBM took over the presidency, the country seems to feel losing. Efforts or programs are started with a loud bang only to become quiet after, like his initial big plans in agriculture to lower the prices of agri products like rice and onions. Prices went up instead. Or like the initial reaction on the slaying of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid. In Tagalog, it fits "ningas kogon" description. Hanggang umpisa lang.
Since BBM does not recognize the mistakes and wrongdoings of his parents, one logical thing being observed happening is extravagance. He has reportedly ordered construction of houses inside Malacanang grounds to be used by him and his wife and three children. I thought Malacanang was a palace with 9 bedrooms and floor area of over 9,900 square meters?
As one Manila columnist wrote recently:
"Bongbong Marcos had again tapped architect Onglao to build him a new Bahay Pangarap. Now, he, Liza, sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent can rest their heads easy in a plush villa of their own dreams even if the rest of the country wallow in poverty and joblessness."
A well-known Fil Am community leader:
"This extravagance of the BBM administration may lead to its implosion."
Again, BBM leaves for his 8th trip abroad (Davos Economic Forum) since June. Are his trips fruitful for the country?
Finally, it is noted that each time BBM opens his mouth about the PH economy, he speaks in terms of a "bright future" even without adequate basis. Nothing wrong with optimism, but support it with realistic assumptions as Cesar Polvorosa Jr. would wish.
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This columnist picked up who I considered "2022 Twelve Most Beautiful Filipina Americans in New Jersey." Let me share their photos without any particular order. They are all equally beautiful to me.
contributedmlc230111
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