“I must not gasp upon seeing the old names in their old places. After all, the President must have seen them working”
SORRY, Bobby Hatfield. But time has moved too quickly for me.
I must have been terribly stuck in my own academic misery that I got to miss the news these past few weeks. I have been catching up on the headlines in my own home that prompted me to take my seat back into my online newsfeed and livestreams. Going back on my feet again may need some time for me to allow myself and be immersed with the stories at hand — or on my desk.
But here is what I know so far.
Two weeks ago, President Marcos asked his Cabinet to submit “courtesy resignations.” This, of course, is in light of the midterms loss in the Senate race. All have complied with the president’s directive as they believed this move will do well for the next three years of his term.
And surprise, most of his Cabinet members were retained in their place. The first ones who were ordered to stay put were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, along with Marcos’s economic team — Balisacan, Pangandaman, Recto, Roque. The president didn’t seem to mind the fiasco that engulfed the transfer of unused PhilHealth funds, which took place during the incumbent’s term last year.
There were justified wins, however. UP Law Dean Darlene Berberabe was appointed to succeed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra. Known for her academic and management prowess, some of the comments I have read on Twitter were delighted to see the latter go. Whatever the reason many people may seem to hold, I began to think of the late Samboy Lim, her ex-husband, and how he would have been proud to see her on this new chapter in her government service.
No, I must not be totally surprised. As in, I must not gasp upon seeing the old names in their old places. After all, the President must have seen them working.
Speaking of the Cabinet, I laud the retention of Vince Dizon as transportation chief.
When he was on ANC to speak about the planned EDSA rehabilitation program, I had this sense of contentment about his vision for the transportation sector. In a region where its life comes from the busy-ness that emerges every day, I see the vision in his plan to rebuild how Metro Manila will be like under his watch.
Then again, I just wish that his term would serve as a conduit to fast track railway projects across the metropolis. As far as I know, there are three train lines that are under construction at the moment – North-South Commuter Railway, MRT 7, and the Metro Manila Subway. I do hope that he could work on mediating those pesky right-of-way issues so that the commuting public would get to feel some sense of ease in cruising themselves around the capital.
But wait, there is more surprise to this post-election charade!
Ta-da! VP Sara Duterte may no longer be tried by the Senate, some reports say.
With all due respect, the Senate leadership had the gall to delay the scheduled presentation of evidence and pre-trial hearings during the campaign period only for them to, what, put it aside altogether. Since the 19th Congress is set to finally adjourn on June 13, Senate President Escudero has blamed the House for creating that delay for their upper body to work upon. Is he to tell us that the current Senate can no longer have the right to convene itself as a court?
Because some of those inside the hall say so? Or is he scared of the old man sitting in The Hague?
Good grief, I must catch up with today’s post-election drama. The sheer turn of events have spiraled down from revamps to repudiations happened within a month’s time. Such speed made me conclude that everyone could be trying hard to keep themselves afloat – politically – even though the sharp cracks currently seen can no longer be mended.
Looks like this staircase may go rounder and sharper in the days to come.
(Rolando Ng III The author tries to cure his haywire from his personal grind as he writes essays away from the news. For comments, you may reach him at ngrolando2003@yahoo.com.)