‘The President knows too well that widespread hunger can feed civil unrest and political destabilization.’
PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos should strive hard to diminish the prevailing doubts about his overwhelming electoral victory by winning the people’s trust and confidence, which to the opposition seems a long shot.
After Health Secretary Francisco Duque spawned a nationwide dissatisfaction over the mishandling of the pandemic, the new President must not only pursue a truly sensitive and capable health care system but also go after the crooks in the health care industry who took advantage of the confusion and chaos gripping thousands of COVID patients to fatten their pockets.
The new President has to make sure officials of Pharmally are held legally accountable, along with their collaborators at the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management.
The Senate Ways and Means committee report is sufficient enough to prosecute these criminals, except that some senators, cowed and intimidated by former President Duterte, did not sign the ultimate findings.
The gross misuse and thievery of government funds at the Department of Agriculture must also be addressed by the new President. as the long series of vegetable and fruit importations have virtually forced scores of local producers to close shop.
The problem of food shortages has suddenly loomed larger and more real than before, with the former administration practically ignoring the sad plight of farmers, fishermen and agri producers. As concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the President must show a strong and dedicated leadership at the department, long a milking cow of unscrupulous businessmen, importers and public officials.
The President knows too well that widespread hunger can feed civil unrest and political destabilization. Embracing the deepening problem vigorously as he seeks to bring down the vestiges of corruption, incompetence and political patronage at the DA would certainly lead to the gratitude and respect of the people for him.
We recall then President Erap Estrada’s boast in his inaugural speech “na walang kaibi-kaibigan at walang kama-kamag-anak” in his administration.
A year into his presidency, corruption and bribery issues involving officials and friends started making the news headlines. He was later removed from office for plunder and graft.
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From the 19th century evangelist Smith Wigglesworth who had a powerful and widespread healing ministry: “All things are possible through the name of Jesus (Matt. 19:26). ‘God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Phil. 2:9-10). There is power in overcoming everything in the world through the name of Jesus. I am looking forward to a wonderful union through the name of Jesus. ‘There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12).”
