Kiss focus

June 10, 2018 Opinion Sideglance

The recent antic of President Rodrigo Duterte, kissing an OFW, seems to have caught the attention of almost everybody and for some the sort of act by the chief executive worthy of opinions.

However,  I read a post in Facebook where some netizens pointed out the obvious in that the kiss somehow diverted the attention of some officials in government who, instead of doing their jobs of serving the people have taken unnecessary steps to defend the president, as if he needs defending.

The focus of attention on that kiss seems to have waylaid some executives of the government into posturing and justifying the action of the president. But really, should they even give weight to such an act by somebody who is comfortable with spouting expletives whenever he feels it is warranted?

Let us not get lost in the forest in search of a single tree.

These executives in government who see such displays of affection by the president and feel compelled to defend his actions need to take a second look at how they are supposed to serve the people. Come to think of it, their verbal defense of the President’s act would have been better appreciated if it was to proclaim the successful implementation of their office’s programs and projects that have redounded to the benefit of the people.

It is unfortunate that some of those appointed into office by the President may have forgotten that it is not their job to justify the actions of the President, except perhaps those appointed in the information department in Malacanang or the spokesperson of the President, but to make sure that the office to where they have been appointed will be a witness to their dedication and commitment as a public servant.

In fact just recently a lot of netizens lambasted some officials of the National Economic Development Authority for coming out with a theory that ten thousand pesos is enough for a family of five to survive on in a month. This is the NEDA that we are talking about. How can they even come out with such a pronouncement? What is their basis for such a statement?

Do they think they can just come out with that kind of announcement without any repercussions?

If the President had been listening to what these NEDA officials said then he should consider replacing them with someone else who is in a better position to understand the situation in the ground.

The President should do it quickly less these officials again come out with inane and stupid statements that would only destroy the confidence and trust of the people that they have reposed on him. I seem to recall an adage which says that an empty stomach is a sure fire recipe for revolution.

But then again, it might just be possible that certain events are coming to light that might be perceived as precursors to whatever strategy the administration of apo Digong is cooking up in order to further advance the plan of establishing a federalism type of government in our country.

If that is so then I might not mind those executives continuing with their ineptitudes if only to keep the ball rolling for whatever grand plan President Duterte has for the nation. In the meantime we will just wait and see.