President Rodrigo Duterte defended his latest batch of appointments amid criticism they may be ill-suited for the job.
In fact, he admitted it was his idea to appoint the new assistant secretary for communications, assigned specifically to handle social media concerns. Margaux “Mocha” Uson became popular first as a starlet and then as a blogger who staunchly defended him during and after the campaign.
Mr. Duterte said Uson was a bright, articulate girl. She refers to him as “Tatay Digong” in her blog.
On Facebook, Uson said she was in charge of fighting fake news even as she had been accused of promoting the same on her page. She had also chastised mainstream media for producing “wrong reports and rallied her followers to be the media of the President.
Last we looked, media should be media, period—not anybody’s.
Meanwhile, defeated vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano has apparently reaped the rewards of his humility, loyalty and patience when he found himself appointed secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Cayetano’s staying power has been phenomenal, starting from last year’s campaign season, when he stood beside Mr. Duterte against all odds and even when it appeared he was working so well—too well—with his (Cayetano’s) opponent, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos almost won the race and is now protesting his case against Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo.
The loquacious Cayetano has also been Duterte’s chief defender in the Senate, ready to pounce on anybody making the slightest hint of an accusation against his patron.
Cayetano’s political ambitions even managed to prevent his sister Pia, a former senator and known advocate of women’s issues, from speaking up every time the President makes an unguarded, misogynistic and ill-informed statement against women.
Now that the one-year ban on the appointment of defeated candidates is about to be lifted, it seems Cayetano has gotten what he has been pining for.
Except that, this does not appear as good for the country. As top diplomat, Cayetano would have to do much thinking before speaking—something he has not been wont to do during his political life. Despite his assurances he won’t talk as much, the prospect of a garrulous foreign secretary whose pronouncements may need explaining after they have been uttered scares us so.
Uson, for her part, on Thursday put up a disclaimer on her blog saying that the views she expresses are her own and not of the communication office to which she is now affiliated. Palace Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Uson’s words would not necessarily reflect the position of the government.
Whatever the disclaimers are, the President’s words are telling—even as they are cause for great concern.
“[It is my debt of gratitude to them] because they offered their services free at a time [when I did not have money] because they believed in me. Now it’s my time to believe in them,” he said. He was pertaining to Uson here but he might as well be describing his other appointments.
We wonder what spin his minions would take on this slip. Each appointment is his prerogative, sure. But his statement betrays a dangerous mindset that has been responsible for the country’s failure to take off after all these years.
We know the President owes many individuals for many reasons. He must not forget, though, that what he owes the people—merit-based and honest governance—should take priority every time.
