THE “sudden” decision of PBBM for a cabinet revamp was totally unexpected. It came following the dismal result of his Alyansa bets in the recent May 12 senatorial elections. In the local lingo, nangamote intawon ang iyang mga kandidato pagka-senador unya nangharos ang mga kontra sa pikas partido.
The dismal result of the election itself was not surprising.
Why?
Because PBBM saw it with his own eyes during senatorial sorties that his presence during nationwide rallies was an epic embarrassment. The iconic remark of the Negros Oriental Governor that – matay, mingaw man – when he tried to solicit popular reaction to his “BBM, BBM, BBM” yell, amply demonstrated his total unpopularity with the people.
And there was that similar incident in Cebu when Gov Gwen Garcia shouted “BBM, BBM, BBM,” and the resounding reply was “Duterte, Duterte, Duterte.” Not once but many times.
If that was not enough proof for BBM that he was already losing his political grip, then maybe he has become thoroughly insensitive.
But it should already be a clear demonstration that his presence during rallies did not help his senatorial bets, in fact, it worsened the situation and could be one big factor for the dip in their popularity, and ultimately in their defeat in the polls.
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Methinks his decision for a cabinet revamp is ill-advised.
Why?
Because official version says it was because of the dismal result of his senatorial bets in the May 12 polls. So if that is the case, then he should seriously analyze the “who” and not the “what” of the dismal result.
While it is true that he was not the candidate in the mid-term elections, it is equally true that he was the chief campaigner and the CEO of the entire Alyansa machinery. He was the sole person responsible in ensuring the victory of his chosen senatorial bets.
And when they failed, it is clear as a sunny day that PBBM also failed, and failed big time.
While the people were supposed to elect senators in the mid-term polls, the true and real story was that it was PBBM’s 3-year performance that was evaluated and assessed by the electorates.
Sa klarohay lang, si PBBM ug dili ang mga kandidato pagka-senador sa Alyansa ang gihukman sa mga tawo kaniadtong Mayo 12.
Buot ipasabot, kon napildi ang iyang mga senador, mas napildi si PBBM sa hukom sa mga tawo.
If that is the case, a cabinet revamp is definitely not the solution.
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Anyway, what is the effect in the bureaucracy when PBBM announced his decision for a cabinet revamp?
Siyempre, gikuyawan ang tanan, from the Secretary, to the USec, ASec down to the directors, including the regional directors.
The cabinet secretaries are clueless as to what happens next, especially so that earlier announcements included retained, transferred and replaced cabinet secretaries.
Pirme naka-focus ilang mata sa ilang mga cellphones while waiting for that dreaded call from ES Lucas Bersamin kon asa sila na-belong, sa retained, transferred or replaced.
Kadtong na-retain, no problem because they can continue with their current programs and projects. Hasta ang ilang mga directors and regional directors maka-ginhawa pod og hayahay.
Kadtong na-transfer, a big problem because of the transition issues, apil na ang ilang mga directors. Mag-adjust na sab sa laing mga programs, laing set of personnel, and all that.
Kadtong na-replace, ageh, jobless na sad, and a sad end to the “happy days” especially involving corrupt officials nga naanad na og dawat og kikik ug kukok every day, and night.
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Gikuyawan ug gi-lubat-lubatan na gani ang mga regional directors. Every day, they are fervently praying that their Secretaries will be retained. If retained, big chance that they can continue, though there is possibility that they will be assessed periodically for performance and output.
Kon pulihan, unya bag-o na nga Secretary ang itudlo, aguy, dakong problema. Because the new Secretary may ask for the submission of courtesy resignations of all officials in the department, including the directors. When that happens, there are a lot of possibilities, mostly not good.
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Makaayo ba sa nasod ang gibuhat ni PBBM?
Frankly, I don’t think so.
