‘In 2022, I have to admit that I welcomed the opportunity for BBM to leave behind a better image of the Marcos name. But halfway through his term, I wonder if he is learning enough from the painful lessons of the first Marcos administration.’
DURING my childhood days in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Holy Week (or the Lenten Season) was marked differently from how it is marked today.
Yes, there are still the traditional “pabasa” practiced in so many barangays across the country, and so many LGUs like Paete. Laguna has its own “salubong” procession of saints that has been a tradition spanning a century.
But I cannot say that despite these traditions, the spirit of Lent remains strong among the majority of our baptized Catholic population (myself included).
In fact, nowadays, I feel that the Lenten season is not so much observed or marked as it is celebrated.
Celebrated, for example, by becoming an opportunity for an annual vacation. Which means happiness and joy and all that is the opposite of self-reflection and even repentance.
The end is near, many a human billboard would read. Repent!!
I don’t know why thinking of Lent and of repentance and of the end being near made me think of BBM and his administration. Maybe it’s because a president just has one six-year term and BBM is close to halfway and once you get past halfway, you’re a lame duck and yes, it is appropriate to say “the end is near.”
But yes, six years can be a very short time for any president who wants to accomplish so much, especially redeeming the family’s name and honor. And if six years is a short time, what more three years?
BBM, at this point in his term, should make sure that he is surrounded only by people whose advice and counsel he respects and values, those whom he knows have no agenda or at least have benign ones, those who are not keeping one eye on the clock as they try to make hay while the sun shine, and those who he respects more than he likes.
As his father learned the hard way, a leader can one day find out that those around him and who had the most to gain by being subservient to him, are gone the day after he is out of power. Worse, they could be the first to abandon him, even betray him, if and when things turn for the worse.
I have to admit that several of BBM’s Cabinet choices were choices I applauded. But some caused me to raise an eyebrow, or two. Because some were what I term “Johnnies-come-lately,” those who weren’t with BBM from the time he ran in 2016 or even at the beginning of his 2022 campaign. They may have had a change of heart, but frankly, I doubt it. And that would put me on notice. Or they may have been out there by this or that business interest, and that would have put me on double notice.
In 2022, I have to admit that I welcomed the opportunity for BBM to leave behind a better image of the Marcos name. But halfway through his term, I wonder if he is learning enough from the painful lessons of the first Marcos administration.
The end is near.
