Not a movie, not a play

CTALK

- CITO BELTRAN

All the talk about the so-called Cabinet reshuffle is about to become a thing of the past because the so-called courtesy resignations look and sound more like "a game of musical chairs," as columnist Boo Chanco wrote.

But what we should be asking PBBM is: what's the plan? What is or are the specific problems the President wants to address and who are his specific targets, audience or beneficiaries?

Purely from what has been shared by Malacañang, the reason the economic team was retained was all about economic "window dressing."

"The marching order of the President is to enhance the economic situation in the eyes of the outside world and here in the Philippines." Given the track record of the administration, I interpret "eyes of the world and here in the Philippines" as referring to lending institutions.

Is that the plan? Is that a plan that will restore PBBM back in the grace or favor of the Filipino people? I think not. Between his unparalleled borrowing and failure to deliver on basic services, making the economy look good is not a plan.

Based on the history of his economic team, we Filipinos are going to be up for a fight as Team Tax To Death begins to impose more taxes, just like the recent idea to increase estate and inheritance taxes as well as tax "digital nomads."

That is where the fault lies: the government collects and collects but barely gives out directly to Filipinos, except 4Ps and ayuda as a legal form of vote buying.

PBBM gets no PR benefit because congressmen take all the credit, get the votes and entrench themselves in power.