BIZ BUZZ: Top gov’t official gets the cold shoulder
Many expected this member of President Marcos’ Cabinet to get sacked during the last shake-up, but he miraculously managed to stay on.
But that does not mean that he is necessarily in chummy terms with Mr. Marcos, who was particularly incensed by the controversial flood control projects that became top of mind during the recent widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
The strained relationship was made apparent during a recent meeting. Onlookers noticed that President Marcos gave him the cold shoulder, greeting almost everyone at the event of a government agency except him.
Mr. Marcos’ seeming nonreaction is a reaction in itself, perhaps sending the message that he better make bold moves now or be punished for it sooner rather than later.
As the country gets ready for a flurry of typhoons and rains in the coming months, Mr. Marcos understands that Filipinos will need better service to keep themselves safe, and perhaps more importantly for his political career, need to see that he is doing all that he can.
So if anything, that cold treatment should be seen as a warning.
Walk the talk or face the heat of the President’s—and the people’s—ire when disaster strikes again and they are left hanging in the midst of the floodwaters and threats to their lives.
