Just in case you are not aware, the CPP/NPA terrorists have played a significant role in running this government, and sadly the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police seemed to have just shrugged it off. Their loyalty to the Constitution appeared to have been shrouded by their loyalty to politicians who have engaged the communist elements in an unholy alliance to pursue their respective goals.
After their successful attempt to make the P125-million Office of the Vice President confidential and intelligence fund expenditure an impeachable offense, the CPP/NPA along with the disciples of Speaker Romualdez in the Quadcomm had the temerity to cite in contempt and detain Col. Hector Grijaldo through the holiday season. Later, they also cited in contempt Gen. Wilkins Villanueva and approved his detention after the holidays.
In a few days, 2024 will exit and so we do the usual accounting of the performance of the three branches of government.
The Executive Branch: Half into his term, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has wasted the strength of the unity that catapulted him to power courtesy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. She is young and not in a hurry and must have thought that running for vice president would accord her vital lessons and knowledge on how to run the country efficiently when her time comes. She must have thought that nothing could go wrong if the unity remained intact. Their platform was to continue with the programs and policies of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.
Unfortunately for her, this did not happen. BBM had a different agenda. He cuddled up close to US President Joe Biden and opened Philippine bases to the American military. Unsuccessful in increasing rice productivity, he instead reduced the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent, a virtual death knell for the farmers.
The Legislature: From day one, the primordial agenda of the House of Romualdez was to bedevil VP Sara and clearly to perpetuate the Marcos-Romualdez clan in power. Romualdez began his scheme by replacing the political allies of the Vice President in their Deputy Speaker posts and committee chairmanships. A phalanx of attack dogs was organized and among the members were fronts for the CPP/NPA — one a convict and another a top executioner of the Alex Boncayao Brigade. The House leadership gave it a fashionable name — Quadcomm. Their objective: impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, the remaining impediment to the perpetuation in power of the Marcos-Romualdez kinship.
Congress in an insidious bicameral pact recently approved a P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, a bloated amount different from what was originally approved by the Lower House, on account of scandalous insertions made by members of both chambers. Driven by sheer greed and overt corruption, Congress passed and approved the unprecedented gargantuan budget which allocated the biggest amount to the Department of Public Works and Highways instead of the Department of Education.
The Judiciary: It is by far the saving grace. It is the remaining citadel from where the scandals and abuses of the Executive and Legislative branches could be checked. If it fails, there are two options remaining to address the problems that beset the nation: the removal of the corrupt and inept by election in May next year or by a People Power revolution.
It’s 2025. Where do we go from here?