Opinion: Was it a very critical function for President Marcos to watch the Formula 1 race in Singapore?

“Did President Marcos use a G280 Gulfstream Command and Control aircraft for his Singapore trip to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix? PAF spokesperson Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo: The PAF, through the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing is mandated to provide safe and secure air transport to the President for all his movements as directed by higher office. Castillo: It is the raison d’etre or reason for being of the 250th PAW, thus, all its air assets are dedicated for the use of the President and the First Family. Castillo: The G280 aircraft, being a command and control aircraft, allows the President to perform his very critical function as Commander in Chief, AFP, while airborne, wherever he is around the globe; whether on state functions or otherwise. The 250th PAW is one of the units of the nation’s air force that is attached and assigned with the Presidential Security Group” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.10.2022).

Apparently, Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Junior cannot catch a break. Not even when he takes a brief brake and watches a Formula One Grand Prix Race in Singapore. The President just left everything hanging and he knew there was even Palace intrigue. Nothing mattered more for the man than watching the Formula One Race.

It is questionable activity at best. That the President just takes off after the Super Typhoon “Karding” and didn’t even look into that. He still has the monies and the manpower to travel to Singapore. There was no scheduled meetings, partake in any sort of diplomatic enterprise or anything of that nature. He was just travelling for leisure and fun to another nation.

We cannot anticipate a joint communique from Singapore-Philippines in the near future about the future trading agreements, bilateral work or proof of diplomatic vision between the nations. It doesn’t make it any better that he used it for a leisure.

It doesn’t make the case better, when this is reported as well: “Gulfstream G280 was bought in 2019 as an “airborne command post” for senior leaders and commanders during emergencies, said Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong. The purchase of a P2 billion jet earned flak as critics found it an extravagant purchase” (James Patrick Cruz – ‘Spotted: Philippine Air Force’s Gulfstream G280 flew to Singapore during F1 weekend’ 03.10.2022, Interaksyon – Philstar.com).

So, the Airborne Command Post bought for emergencies was used for a leisure trip to a Formula One race in Singapore. You cannot make these things up, but the President surely needs to address the emergency and why he needed the Airborne Command Post to watch a Formula One Race. That’s really amazing wastage of not only time, money and security agents surrounding the President.

I wonder, if the watching of Formula One was even a critical function, because it cannot be assessed to be an emergency. Everyone knows that this wasn’t a state function or anything in connection to the Office of the President. No, this was just a private trip and could be considered to be a vacation.

I have a hard time seeing the need or the necessity of Bong Bong Marcos Jr. to be in Singapore for the Formula One Race. He could have travelled on a chartered flight or paid with the massive wealth is family has to rent a private plane even. Alas, he chose to use a government aircraft, use his office to spend taxpayers money on a security detail as well. It is natural that he has this and needs it. However, it was still a public waste of funds on a totally unnecessary event, which the President could have avoid.

Nevertheless, Bong Bong Marcos Jr. prioritize it… and he didn’t care. Peace.

Malacañang Palace intrigue: Marcos Jr. cannot keep a stable crew

“Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles resigns. She tendered her resignation on Tuesday morning and will be effective by the end of business hours today. Angeles cited health reasons for leaving her position, based on a statement given to the media. Talks of Angeles leaving the Cabinet went around last week, before she was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. She was not part of the ten officials issued a fresh nomination on Tuesday. A friend of Angeles told One News that the former press secretary may have been caught in the recent infighting in the Palace that saw former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez replaced by retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin. Asked whether Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted her resignation, Angeles told reporters, “I would just assume so” (ONE News PH, 04.10.2022).

It is really interesting to know that Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Junior has been in Office since June 30^th. It isn’t a long time to both changing the Executive Secretary and the Press Secretary. The Executive Secretary being his spokesperson during the campaign. So, we know that Vic Rodriguez was a loyal and hard-working ally.

In addition you have the Jose Calida, has also resigned from the Commission of Audit (COA). He is the former Solicitor General of the Marcos Family.

These are three major resignations in the Malacañang Palace and it hasn’t been a 100 days in office for the President. We know there was also resignations and pushback after the Sugar Order Volume 3 earlier in September too. So, this Presidency is hectic and Marcos Jr. struggles to contain loyal and good staff.

That the former DDS blogger is quitting. Following Rodriguez and Calida is telling. There is something bad going on. The ones following should be worried. It doesn’t help when even sources to ONE News says there are infighting in the Palace. That says the President and his team isn’t working cordially.

Marcos Jr. is surely not showing his skill of governing. When his trusted allies are resigning and quitting early in his reign. The likes of Rodriguez and Calida should have been close to him. While the DDS Blogger would show the modernity of the administration.

This is showing the public how unstable the Marcos Jr. government is. When it cannot keep the closest associates and regain trust among the public. Marcos Jr. have to show his magic and not just enjoy the perks of lavish life at the Formula One race in Singapore. Peace.

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – Update #3 – NAMFREL Reports on Statistics from the Bandwidth Test and Election Returns Photos Submission Through the NAMFREL App (09.05.2022)

Philippines: LENTE – LENTE observes persistent election offenses and irregularities (09.05.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – NAMFREL Statement on Restrictions to the Public on Observing Closing of Voting and Taking Pictures of the Posted Election Returns (09.05.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – Update #2 – Pockets of violence and intimidation mar an otherwise generally peaceful election day (09.05.2022)

Philippines: LENTE – LENTE observes long queues, technical and non-technical issues, and unlawful electioneering as the 2022 National and Local Elections open (09.05.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – NAMFREL releases preliminary observations on the 2022 National and Local Elections (09.05.2022)

Philippines: Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) & Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – Joint Statement of Support to the Candidacies of VP Leni Robredo as President and Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio as Vice President (07.05.2022)

Opinion: Was this Attorney Vic Rodriguez campaign or BBM’s?

For as long as I can remember, the Spokesperson of the Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Junior Campaign, Attorney Vic Rodriguez has been the vocal one and his the voice of the BBM Presidential Campaign. That is another sign of weakness from the Presidential Candidate.

Rodriguez is the voice, the man of reason and the man of all seasons. He has been everywhere. While the Presidential Candidate has made puff pieces, videos for social media and commercials, but also participate on stages at campaign rallies. However, one-to-one interviews, public debates or COMELEC debates he has dipped out of.

That’s why he has been less vibrant and not in people’s faces. Maybe it is for a reason why Rodriguez is more out there. He has a way with words and knows the meaning of them. While the team is manufacturing what the candidate is saying. Because, they don’t trust his charisma or character in the public.

Maybe the team was afraid that the real “Bong Bong” would be revealed. It is easier to make him look loveable and brilliant for a few moments on stage. Than making him dodge hard questions or hear some possible insults at a debate. Neither would the world be able see him in long interview by an “unfriendly” or by “hostile” media-house. He has dodged it all and seemed like he was worried about the possible questions coming his way. It is really frightening that a man like that has been a front-runner and his been running away from every stress test possible.

Instead, we have seen Rodriguez answering all the media houses, publishing statements and seeing him creating headlines painting BBM in a good light. Nevertheless, if we didn’t know better… it would make more sense of Rodriguez to stand as a man and be the candidate. He has answered and been questioned. Which haven’t happened to Marcos Junior at all.

That is the entitlement and arrogance of “Bong Bong” is very evident. While he thinks this is a wise move, as his dipping through the traffic jam of campaigning and debating. Marcos Junior have gotten away and not taking an interview for the job. His trying to become the Head of State and the biggest representative of the Filipino Nation.

It is really striking that BBM is either afraid or has some personal issues with the press. Since his been so reluctant to show up. That’s why we know Vic, we have seen the attorney and read his quotes. He has spoken his peace and stood in front of the press conferences. Nevertheless, Marcos Junior have not been seen. He just vanished and only popped up for a brief moment at the rallies and went away. Maybe he was part of convoys to the campaign arenas too, but not that he was there for long either.

That’s why it’s weird so close to the end. That we know the Spokesperson better than the Candidate. The man who we are supposed to know and trust. His hidden behind the spokesperson and not been selling himself. Only sold on well-prepared and parts of promotional material, but not elsewhere. Neither has opened himself and played outside his comfort-zone. That’s why we don’t know how we will act under stress or when his under fatigue. No, we know none of that… but we know what Rodriguez will say and how he will defend “Bong Bong” Marcos.

So, my question is … was this Att. Vic Rodriguez campaign or BBM’s?

We know the answer, but we can wonder. If you study headlines and whatnot. You will find Rodriguez all over it. That should have been a worry, but it has been a strategy and I can just wonder if this will backfire. Peace.