Marcos slams ‘toxic politics’
Tens of thousands of people attended the kick-off rally for President Marcos’ governance branding “Bagong Pilipinas” yesterday in a show of force amid political bickering within the administration.
In his speech, the President slammed “toxic politics” and negativity and reiterated his call for unity in the presence of personalities who made headlines recently due to their alleged differences.
He also highlighted the need for change in the government, reminding its workers that they are the “servants of the people,” not their “lords.”
Officials estimated that about 400,000 people flocked to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to join the rally filled with speeches trumpeting state programs and calling for “a new Filipino” – described by a Palace statement as one who pursues excellence, innovation and progress.
The rally also featured several entertainment numbers and offered a service fair that brought together various government programs in a one-stop shop.
Clad in white polo shirt with the Bagong Pilipinas logo, Marcos arrived with First Lady Liza Marcos at 6:05 p.m.
The rally was attended by local executives, barangay officials, lawmakers, members of the uniformed services and employees from various state agencies.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte was present during the event and said at the pre-rally stage that the Department of Education (DepEd) is one with other agencies in supporting the Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
“The entire DepEd is one (with the administration) in promoting the eight-point Socioeconomic Agenda of the Marcos
administration for changing the lives of Filipinos,” she said.
According to her, DepEd’s contribution to the campaign is molding students who are studying under the Matatag curriculum.
Duterte was recently subjected to scrutiny after lawmakers who are allies of the administration realigned the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and DepEd.
The realignment of the combined P650-million confidential funds of the offices she is heading to security agencies dealing with the West Philippine Sea row triggered speculations that the Marcos-led UniTeam coalition was unraveling.
Rumors of a rift within the administration alliance were fueled further when Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, claimed that Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin, is “swallowing” discretionary funds. The elder Duterte also called the House of Representatives the “most rotten” institution, prompting its members to pass a resolution affirming its integrity.
Romualdez, who has been accused of being behind a controversial people’s initiative signature campaign to amend the Constitution, was also present during the rally. The Speaker has denied the allegation.
Marcos has denied the supposed cracks in UniTeam, the coalition that carried him and Sara during the elections.
The Vice President’s family simultaneously held their own prayer rally in their hometown of Davao City to oppose Charter change, which she also attended.
“It is important that we see and understand the danger that threatens us when we completely surrender our Constitution to the hands of people with personal and political interests,” Sara said.
She has been opposing Charter change along with her clan and allies.
‘Superficial rebranding’
Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya cast doubt on the potential positive impact of the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas rebranding, asserting that meaningful change remains elusive for marginalized sectors.
In a statement, the group emphasized that unless significant changes are made to the existing economic policies, marginalized sectors, particularly fisherfolk are unlikely to see improvements in their lives.
“The Filipinos need concrete steps to address the economic crises such as inflation and the loss of lives and livelihood due to environmental destruction, not a superficial rebranding,” Pamalakaya said.
They said that fisherfolk in the Philippines continue to face economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 30.8 percent.
“Nothing new could come out from this upcoming ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ because what we directly experience from the ground is the same old brand of negligence and anti-people policies and programs of the government,” they said.
They highlighted the need for collective efforts from marginalized sectors to drive genuine and meaningful change in the country.
– With Neil Jayson Servallos, Mark Ernest Villeza