President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. risks sliding into a “lame duck presidency” in the remaining three years of his term, an administration seen as toothless and lacking credibility in the eyes of the public, if he fails to act aggressively against the flood control corruption scandal.
According to Jean Encinas-Franco, political analyst, the scandal, dubbed the biggest corruption case in Philippine history, will serve as the litmus test of Marcos Jr.’s leadership.
“This is no longer just a project issue at stake but the credibility of the entire administration,” she stressed in an interview on Sa Totoo Lang on One PH.
“People, historians, Filipinos will measure his leadership and his entire admin based on what he will do about this so-called biggest corruption in PH history,” Franco said.
She added that the scandal will determine how history will judge Marcos Jr.’s presidency. Franco explained that Marcos Jr.’s 2022 campaign was anchored on reviving the Marcos family name, but this could end in disaster if the controversy remains unresolved.
“It’s also sad commentary of his presidency that he ran for the presidency in 2022 anchored on the fact that he wanted to revitalize the Marcos family name pero it would be disastrous if his presidency will end and unresolved or unaddressed… itong corruption scandal na ‘to. Baka dumami pa ‘yung mga tanong ng taumbayan,” she warned.
Franco emphasized that bold actions are needed in the coming weeks to show the administration’s seriousness in tackling corruption. Among these is the passage of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) law, which would institutionalize the commission, provide it with sufficient budget, manpower, and enforcement powers.
“Kailangan talagang bold moves… ang gawin niya in the next few weeks. Unang-una na ‘yung ICI law. A lot of people, even those people who resigned from the ICI were saying that it should really be legislated… ma-institutionalize, may karampatang budget, human resources, may pangil,” Franco said.
Franco underscored that accountability must extend even to those close to the president if proven involved.
“Hindi lang naman iisa ang solusyon dito, kailangan talagang maipakita na may makukulong na malalaking isda. More importantly, kung talagang involved ‘yung mga taong malapit sa kanya, ipakulong niya. ‘Yun ang iniiintay ng taumbayan, unless gawin niya ‘yun, ang mangyayari, talagang napaka-lame duck na ng sitwasyon niya in the next three years,” she concluded. (ZIA LUNA)
