BBM hears you

VIRTUAL REALITY

- TONY LOPEZ

President Marcos Jr. sat down last week for a 28-minute interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna. His Alyansa captured only six of the 12 senatorial seats at stake, down from nine or 10 predicted by all pollsters, a sign of massive protest vote, especially from the young. BBM's coalition retained its supermajority in the House. He extends the hand of reconciliation to the Dutertes who don't seem receptive.

BBM vows to deliver better services, especially on the small things that count — better treatment for Filipino travelers at airports, easier access for government benefits like health care, cheap and reliable public transportation. He will review the performance of his officials. Heads will likely roll, especially those of slowpokes and the corrupt.

Edited interview excerpts (in English): Lessons from the May 12, 2025 election Two conclusions. One, the Filipino is tired, really tired of politics. They are fed up with politics. "No more politics, attend to us," that's what people are telling us. We need to buckle down to work, do the work that is necessary.

Two, people are disappointed with government service. They don't feel it. They don't feel the benefits, the good from government projects which are moving ever so slowly. We need to change things. We need to focus on quick gestation small projects. Our priorities — tourism, health, transportation — are all large scale and take time to complete. Even if we are super efficient, even if there are no execution problems, these projects are taking too much time.

Why do we move so slowly in government? Why aren't things being completed? Everyone is cautious, deliberate. Checks and balances are OK, but not to the extent of causing bureaucratic paralysis.