Marcos did 'bare minimum' in first 100 days, say militants

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did only the “bare minimum” during the first 100 days of his administration, militant groups said Friday.

“Ang sinasabi ng Presidente na ang kaniyang achievement ay nakapagbuo ng government, ‘di po achievement ‘yun eh. That’s the bare minimum,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a news forum Friday.

(What the President was saying as having organized a government is not achievement, that's the bare minimum.)

Marcos on Wednesday said his administration has managed to find the "best and brightest" officials to help and serve in the government during his first 100 days as president.

He was asked during the President’s Night organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on what he considered as his accomplishments and things that he could have done differently to mark his 100th day in office.

“Ang pinakamalaking problema natin ngayon, para tayong nakasakay sa barko na walang direction habang papalubog nang papalubog ang ating sinasakyan,” said Reyes.

(Our biggest problem now is it seems like we’re aboard a ship with no direction and is slowly sinking.)

“Habang sila nagpa-party tayo naman karaniwang mamamayan, naghihirap. Hindi ito ang gustong resulta sa first 100 days at nangangamba tayo na ito ang magiging tunguhin sa susunod na mga buwan,” he added.

(While they were partying, Filipinos are getting poorer. That is not what we want to see in the first 100 days. We’re worried that it will be our direction in the coming months.)

Likewise, Alliance of Concerned Teachers chairperson Vladimer Quetua said they are “saddened” the administration sees the re-opening of classes as an “achievement”, adding it has long been their appeal.

“Hindi sapat 'yung tingin natin na pagbubukas lamang ng klase. Dapat matiyak ang kalidad ng edukasyon o mai-angat ang kakulangan sa mga paaralan... ang limitad ay maibigay at yung  kalagayan ng guro lalo na sa usapin ng sahod,  benepisyo at karapatan ay naibibigay ito,”  Quetua added.

(It is not enough that we are able to open classes. We should ensure the quality of education and improve our schools. Our needs should be provided especially in terms of wages, benefits and rights.)

IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa said the administration failed to present “bold and new initiatives” to revitalize the country’s economy.

“Di natin nakita sa unang 100 araw ni Pangulong Marcos at malamang sa hindi, hindi makikita sa darating na  sa anim na taon ng kaniyang panunungkulan,” said Africa.

(We did not see it in the first 100 days; most likely we will not see it in the next six years.)

GMA News Online sought reaction from the Palace on the criticisms of the militants but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ allies including Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator Robin Padilla lauded his first 100 days, saying he has steered the country in the right direction.

"I think he is doing a good job. First of all, he jump started it with several Cabinet [meetings] on a daily basis. He chose a very good Cabinet team, outstanding economic team," Zubiri had said.

Padilla likewise lauded the President for taking the role of a "traveling salesman" to boost investments in the country and for "personally addressing" the problems in food and agriculture.

Romualdez lauded Marcos’ foreign policy of being “friend to all, enemy to none.”

The Speaker cited the bilateral meeting between President Marcos and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly where the two leaders cemented a stronger security alliance and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation on a wide range of issues, including energy security, climate action, and infrastructure.—LDF, GMA News