Hesitancy is not a strategy

It is an understatement to refer to this week as “difficult” for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. It’s more like a “hell week.”

- RONALD LLAMAS

First, the multitude who participated in the Nov. 30 Second Trillion Peso March is growing impatient with the administration’s perceived snail's pace in holding the “big fish” involved in the flood control corruption scandal accountable.

Second, the most credible and respected member of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, resigned.

Third, a recent survey reports that the President’s approval rating is at an all-time low.

Fourth, Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz, reportedly one of the President's longtime aides, resigned after former representative Zaldy Co dragged his name in the multibillion-peso budget insertions scandal.

To cap the week, the Supreme Court ordered the administration to return the P60 billion it impounded from PhilHealth, a stark reminder, yet again, of the government’s controversial handling of public funds.

But wait, there’s more! The grossly insensitive “P500 Noche Buena” remark of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque sparked universal outrage. From an unknown public official, she became this week’s most despised bureaucrat. But instead of reversing course, she doubled down, and Malacañang, in its infinite wisdom, defended her. Seriously? Amid a deepening crisis, this is the hill they want to die on, lecturing us on how to prepare our Noche Buena? What exactly do they hope to achieve? Is apologizing truly that unbearable for the President's alter egos?