It’s already the first week of June and still Malacañang has not made any major announcements as to the Cabinet revamp that was mentioned early this year by no less than President Bongbong Marcos.
The reckoning period should have been last May when the one-year appointment ban on those who had sought national elective posts lapsed. By now, the President should have a free hand to choose from among his many supporters who ran in the last elections but did not make it.
As early as the fourth quarter of last year, there were already several names floated for this and that department, some of them controversial for belonging to the hated opposition collectively known as the Yellows.
And, yes, there was a collective cringe that could be felt across the country when names such as Mar Roxas were bannered as soon-to-be appointed.
Because while we would want to understand the mindset of PBBM as one going after true unity, the problem is that “unity” alone is not really an acceptable virtue for the majority of our people to embrace the yellow brand once more.
No, Mr. President, we can’t accept it, so please perish the thought.
Also, a word of advice. Before you even consider the Yellows, you may want to look first inside your own base camp and address the issues of your loyal lieutenants and supporters who are now being sidelined.
I believe you will be facing bigger problems than the yellow backfire if people like Attys. Larry Gadon and Glenn Chong are not given responsibilities as members of your Cabinet.
These are the leaders who really fought for you, tooth and nail, and they gave everything they had just for you.
Also, they have solidly been there, even when you were still not looking that presidentiable, standing by you and your family all through the years that you suffered and were abandoned by many.
Your leaders like Larry Gadon have gone through hell and high water defending you and ensuring that your voice and your narrative are not drowned out by the vitriol and venom being spewed against Marcos’ name.
Staunch is an understatement in describing Atty. Gadon, who has staked his profession as a lawyer to hold the trenches.
Now is the best time to recognize them with the Cabinet appointment they deserve, not really as a reward for their fealty, but because it will be in the best interest of your administration to have them as your official subalterns.
They have proven their hard-core loyalty, and you know very well how deeply dedicated they will be to helping you attain your vision.
They should be top of mind for you now, rather than that outrageous notion of allowing the Yellows to return to power under your helm.
Appoint them now, Mr. President. Before all hell breaks loose.
Mark my word.