Political veterans know that there is a vicious cycle whenever there is an adverse change of administration. The new dispensation has not even warmed his seat when he is viciously attacked, to the point that his energy is no longer focused on implementing his legislative agenda and policies. Hence, national progress is impeded.
This has been the case for several successive presidential terms, most notably the vilification of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. If you remember, several high-profile cases were filed against her during the previous administration. Most of the cases against her have now been dismissed. Imagine how much time was spent in such investigations, when there were more urgent concerns that the administration had to prioritize. Look at where we are now. Have we gone far? I don’t think so.
History is now repeating itself with the obviously orchestrated international media attacks against PRRD. The President already predicted late last year that a well-funded plan to oust him was under way. This was followed by international media attacks on his drug war.
It comes as no surprise then that the so-called #LeniLeaks controversy was uncovered. Screenshots of email conversations among US-based supporters of the Vice President were shown plotting mass action and media attacks against President Rody Duterte. Through a Yahoo group, members of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC), including billionaire philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis and her sister, Imelda “Mely” Nicolas, former chairwoman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, are supposedly planning to oust the President.
It has always been clear to us that President Digong and VP Leni are not aligned in terms of priorities in leadership. This led to the resignation of the latter from the Cabinet as the Housing Secretary. In fact, the so-called #LeniLeaks email trail was triggered on Jan. 4.
The content of the email exchanges was quite bothering. Besides the surfacing of a “Duterte Resign Movement”, it also leaked the communications strategy of the Office of the Vice President Social Media (OVPSOCMED) team to counterattack President Duterte, defeated Vice Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, and other pro-Duterte personalities. Their plot to undermine the President, if proven true, may lead to destabilization, as expressed by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. The parties involved have not denied the existence of the email trail and their participation in it, but gave an implied admission by saying that it is their right as citizens to express their criticism of the government. The Palace has yet to probe this matter.
Considering our previously mentioned history, I sincerely request the people involved to reflect on their actions. Are your so-called “criticisms,” obviously well-funded and agenda-based, good for the country or is it just about protecting vested interests? It is about time that we keep our motivations in check. Our country will not improve if we continue hating and criticizing whoever is leading us. All democracies are imperfect, but we need to respect the institutions and processes we went through in order to strengthen them. Institutions which bend to the caprices of the losing few will not benefit any of us in the long term.