“PANATA SA BAYAN” (Vow to the People). Candidates applying to be the next president of the Philippines gave their solemn vow, signifying their commitment to a clean, honest, orderly and peaceful election on May 9, 2022.
All of them showed up — except for Bongbong Marcos, who notified KBP that he would not be doing the first-ever forum just one day before the much-awaited public civic event because of “conflict in schedule.”
It tuned out that such “conflict in schedule” excuse referred to Bongbong’s choice to instead guest on my friend Korina Sanchez show’s “Rated Korina” despite the fact that all the presidential candidates were invited since early December 2021, and it was Bongbong who chose the day and time of the taping of Korina’s show.
An old Filipino adage says, “Kapag gusto — gagawan ng paraan, kapag ayaw, gagawa ng dahlilan (If you want to do something, you will do everything to make it happen, but if you don’t, you will make up excuses).”
This is not the first time Bongbong had declined to participate in interviews or a hearing. In the Comelec disqualification case against him, he cited the COVID scare despite the fact that he could participate in the hearing virtually online.
The most controversial “no shows” prior to this disregard of the KBP “Panata sa Bayan” forum were those of GMA Network. He was also the only presidential candidate who did not join the forum on television moderated by award-winning veteran journalist Jessica Soho because he alleged Soho was biased against him and the Marcos family. Bongbong also snubbed the Radio DZBB interview.
But he was available, ready, willing and able to accept an invitation from more friendly territories. Remember the controversial interview by actress/TV host and Bongbong’s inaanak sa kasal Toni Gonzaga? Or the entertainment manager and talk show host Boy Abunda? Oh, didn’t they make him look good?
Kababayans opine on social media, this author included, that this is a deliberate tactic from the Bongbong campaign to stay out of the lion’s den where there are savage ferocious beasts salivating for the red blood of truth who wouldn’t stop until all their prey’s hidden skeletons are out in the open. Yes, they are the true journalists who would not take BS from anybody, especially from the son of the dictator who wants to be the next president.
These true journalists ask hard questions and incisive follow-ups to get to the bottom of the issues so that the electorate will be better informed, sifting through lies and propaganda meant to disinform people and revise history.
Korina Sanchez on her Instagram post gave teasers on the questions she asked of Bongbong: Magcharter change ka ba? Are you a dictator? Will your wife Lisa be an Imelda? Was history revised because of your trolls? How much of your father’s presidency will your presidency be if you win? Are you “disqualifiable”? Will you support anti-dynasty bills? Do you do drugs? What will be your policy on drugs and corruption?
Great questions! I look forward to the follow-up questions knowing Korina was also a hard-core journalist herself before she focused more on the lifestyle/believe it or not type of stories on Rated Korina. And the pictures shared on her post featured Bongbong cooking Ilocano pinakbet and bagnet in the show.
BUT, may I submit my stance on this issue that IF Bongbong truly wanted to be part of the KBP forum he just snubbed, IF he really wanted to profess his “Panata sa Bayan” for a clean, orderly, honest and peaceful elections, IF he was really ready, willing and able to take in and respond honestly to the hard and incisive questions about his past, present and future, then he had the option NOT to schedule the Rated Korina on the same day/time of the KBP forum. He could have cancelled and rescheduled his interview with Korina and I believe as a news person she would definitely understand and schedule a new taping dayl. But alas, that never happened.
He chose to talk with Korina and be the only presidential candidate featured in the show and cooked pinakbet and bagnet. Our choices truly reflect much of our values and priorities.
Indeed, the reason behind the decision of Bongbong Marcos was revealed by no less than his Spokesperson Vic Rodriguez in an interview. Rodriguez pointed out that attending the KBP forum or any debates is voluntary. He also explained that people appreciate one-on-one interviews more because being in a panel of candidates would only allocate each a shorter time in a program.
You know what is alarming about this? Bongbong Marcos appears NOT to be ready, willing and able to be open, honest and transparent about his past, which includes his ties to his father who was a dictator who abused his power, declared martial law just before his term ended to cling on tightly to the presidency, and robbed private individuals, businesses and institutions of their rights, assets and true legacy. On top of that, the former president executed economic policies that caused the Philippines’ debt to balloon to an all-time high that ruined the credit rating of the Philippines after martial law until he was unseated by the People Power Revolution in 1986. The dictator also allowed a corrupt system to perpetuate and this chronic societal illness would continue to infest the political, political and cultural fibers of the Philippines up to now.
And Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s family did NOTHING to stop this betrayal of the Constitution, of public trust and benefited from this very assault on our democracy, justice and decency. They, too, act like they are above the law as evidenced by convictions in court and orders to pay back their ill-gotten wealth, even failure to pay estate tax more than three decades since Ferdinand Marcos Sr. died. income tax. This would include the one who wants to be president, convicted of not paying income tax for several years while he was a sitting Governor of Ilocos Norte. This is the man who appears to act like he is entitled to the presidency just because he is the son of the former president.
Bongbong Marcos’ campaign which, of course, includes him as principal, would claim credit to the “legacy” of his father whom they call the greatest President the Philippines has ever had. Yet the same campaign exhibits psychotic episodes when they distance BongBong from the father for all the corruption and abuse of power he committed as President. They want it both ways and the son has never shown remorse for, nor acknowledged the abuse of power the Marcoses have committed against the country.
The BongBong Marcos campaign has been unleashing his attack surrogates and trolls to discredit, demonize his critics, peddled and spread fake news to revise history and make him and the Marcos family appear to be THE victims instead of being THE oppressors. What a way to win the hearts of their blind followers.
Let me emphasize this: These parts of the PAST beg to be addressed before we can even talk about the present and especially the future. There is no reparation, healing and moving forward without justice.
THE red flags are waving brightly and forcefully to get our attention. IF Bongbong Marcos could not be transparent and would refuse to make himself accountable NOW as a candidate for president, what more can he do to game the system so he would not be transparent and accountable to the people required in a democracy if he is elected president of the Philippines? Have we not learned from history?
The five other Presidential candidates — Leni Robredo, Panfilo Lacson, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao and Leody de Guzman — voluntarily gave th eir “Panata sa Bayan,” shared their platform and with courage and good intentions allowed themselves to be “grilled” by journalists in the KBP Presidential Forum. These are all important so that voters will be better informed as they exercise the most important cornerstone of our democracy – the right to vote.
Bongbong Marcos chose otherwise. He has proven that he cares more about himself, his personal image, interests and agenda, than he cares for the peoples’ enlightenment and the quest for a clean honest government of the people, for the people, by the people.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at [email protected], or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
