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| Leila de Lima Facebook Page Photo |
ON MY WATCH
By MANUEL L. CABALLERO
BBM STARTS USING PRESIDENCY AS BULLY PULPIT; PERSECUTED EX-SENATOR DE LIMA THINKS SARA DUTERTE SHOULD STEP DOWN AS DEP ED SECRETARY
I observe that President Bongbong Marcos has started to use the Office of President as bully pulpit. Last Bonifacio Day, his message was for Filipinos to love their country.
On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, while in isolation due to Covid19 infection, the president said and I quote, "During these challenging times for our country, let us draw inspiration from the narrative of the Immaculate Conception as we overcome our limitations and draw on our strengths to see the world with grateful hearts and explore the deep meaning of our purpose in life.”
He added, “May this auspicious occasion allow us to fortify our Christian faith and inspire our fellow faithful to share our blessings to the poor and marginalized as a way of perpetuating peace, generosity and kindness around us.”
For a while, I thought I was reading from an ANCOP leader, the Catholic-based global group that helps the poor in the PH.
Similarly, Mr. Marcos can also pass as an Angat Buhay organizer.
Nothing wrong because this message of helping the poorest among us is Biblical.
It is possible, Mr. Marcos wants to win the hearts of Filipinos, especially those who still have a question mark on him.
It is also possible that President Marcos wants to present a different face, especially to the 76% Catholics around the PH. It may be recalled that his predecessor (Duterte) used to insult the Catholic Church and even threatened some priests.
If BBM would really want to distance himself from his predecessor, one thing he can do is to stop extra judicial killings around the PH.
According to Karapatan, their group has monitored 87 extrajudicial killings since BBM assumed the presidency.
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The persecuted former Senator Leila De Lima has no idle moment since she was released from jail on bail after 6 years of incarceration. She has been named the new spokesperson of the opposition Liberal Party. Now, the party will have a powerful and effective voice.
Last week, the former Senator lectured on VP Sara Duterte on the meaning and essence of cabinet in constitutional presidential type of government. In a clear explanation, Atty. De Lima explained that every cabinet member, as alter ego of the president, is supposed to support every policy promulgated by the president.
It maybe recalled that VP Sara disagreed and even criticized the latest policy of the BBM team in respect of the NDF-CPP.
Atty. De Lima said that since the VP is also a cabinet member as secretary of the Department of Education, it was only proper for the VP to step down as Dep Ed secretary.
It makes sense.
contributedmlc231210
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