Political analyst Prof. Ronnie Holmes said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must deliver concrete and widely felt outcomes if he hopes to reverse the decline in his approval ratings, stressing that communications alone cannot sustain public support.
Holmes, president of Pulse Asia and a political science professor, made the remarks in an interview on the Facts First with Christian Esguerra podcast, where he underscored the gap between government claims and public experience.
“Para sa akin, aside from communications, it would be outcomes. Outcomes that are felt. Outcomes that are seen,” Holmes said. “Puwede mong sabihin ang kahit na anong gusto mong sabihin pero kung hindi nararamdaman, wala.”
He pointed to the administration’s rice price promises as an example.
“Puwede mong sabihin na pinababa mo ang presyo ng bigas pero kung hindi naman lahat ng tao nakakakuha ng mababang presyo ng bigas , wala ‘di ba?”
Holmes also questioned the government’s anti-corruption stance, noting that responsibility is often deflected to agencies outside the president’s control.
“Seryoso ka sa anti-corruption mo pero ang nangyayari binabato mo ang responsibilidad sa ibang ahensya na hind imo hawak. Medyo mahirap ‘yun,” he said.
Weak Signaling and Lost Rallying Point
Holmes argued that Marcos has struggled to signal a clear direction to the public, a critical function of the presidency.
“Palagay ko ang kahinaan ng kasalukuyang president ‘yung pagsi-signal sa publiko. Ano talaga ‘yung direksyon nya. Yun ang sinasabi eh. Kasi puwede mong isignal ‘yun,” Holmes explained.
“Lahat ng pag-aaral sa agham pampolitika, hind mo matatanggal ‘yung signaling power ng presidente o ng prime minister sa isang parliamentary system. Kasi siya yung palaging hinahabol ng media. Siya ‘yung pinakaimportanteng opinion maker.”
He contrasted Marcos’ style with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he described as “cast iron, heavy, needing oiling so it doesn’t rust,” suggesting Duterte projected a stronger, more consistent presence.
Holmes also cited the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, which was launched as a rallying point but quickly faded.
“Ano ang nangyari sa Bagong Pilipinas? Kasi ito ang lumabas na rallying point, ginawa pa ngang executive order na kakantahin sa lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan, pero nawala na ‘yun,” he said.
From Visionary to Reactive
Holmes noted that Marcos remained quiet during his early years in office and only recently became more vocal, but in a reactive rather than visionary manner.
“Kung matatandaan natin yung mga unang taon ng administrasyong ito, masyadong tahimik ang pangulo. Ngayon na lang medyo nag-iingay and it that sense, he failed to signal the direction that he wishes the country to take or the direction that he will be taking, earlier on. Ngayon ang lumalabas parang mamamatay-sunog rather than a visionary. And he should not in anyway be in that position,” Holmes stated during the podcast. (ZIA LUNA)
