2025 will define PBBM presidency

Many say the government’s response in the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013 defined the Aquino administration — which eventually led to the defeat of the Liberal Party in the 2016 elections.

Like deja vu, midterm through his administration, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is faced with not just the flood control scandal but a slew of major disasters — from the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao to the strong typhoons also in Cebu, Catanduanes and northern Luzon.

In 2013, PBBM, then a senator, was actively involved and aware of the challenges faced by the local governments severely affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” since his first cousins, Alfred Romualdez and Martin Romualdez, were mayor and congressional representative, respectively, of Tacloban City — ground zero of “Yolanda.”

So it should not be too much to expect that he would have a good idea of how to go about preparing for and responding to huge disasters. But, again, the government’s response has been lacking and disappointing.

To a large extent, during “Yolanda” we were fortunate to have the international community come to our aid. But these are different times. And international aid has come in trickles. We now have to rely on our own resources to take care of our people.

The world’s response to our plight says a lot about our international relations. The corruption scandal has exacerbated things since other governments are probably distrustful of our government and thus unlikely to give support for fear this would be mismanaged or diverted.

It’s not easy being in PBBM’s shoes these days. With the successive earthquakes and typhoons, how do you ration what little is left of the country’s resources to help the millions affected?

More importantly, how can one explain giving just a little when the people have learned of the billions of pesos pocketed by just a handful of government officials who had no qualms about showing off their lavish lifestyles to the suffering public.

The flood control scandal has really hurt our country in many ways. We cannot stop natural disasters from occurring but we could, at the very least, minimize their impact with flood control projects that were properly financed and implemented.

How those complicit in the flood control corruption can sleep soundly at night, I cannot fathom. Their heartlessness and greed are so unconscionable and unforgivable when we see so many Filipinos suffering.

I am almost resigned to the fact that there is no way this administration can redeem itself before 2028. In the days since the typhoons struck, there has been no sense of urgency to respond and provide comfort to those who lost loved ones and their homes and livelihood.

If the 2025 midterm election was a flop for the Marcos Jr. admin, we can be certain that 2028 will be worse. It will not matter whom they will endorse for the presidency, the public will no longer give weight to their word.

Since they have been in office, they have not done anything positive to improve the plight of the Filipinos. If at all, we find ourselves worse off than we have ever been since the days of martial law.

2025 marks a pivotal time in the Marcos Jr. presidency. And it has been a dismal, disappointing and difficult year for all of us. 2028 cannot come soon enough. But before that, we need someone capable, wise and patriotic to come forward and take up the cudgels to lead our country to better days.