Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima fiercely criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration for its “lack of direction” and “seemingly struggling leadership.”
During the 20th Congress’ first regular session on Monday, August 4, the lady solon called out Marcos for naming and acknowledging the problems without any follow-through. She named poor healthcare, poor education outcomes, weak job creation, food insecurity, and a struggling agriculture sector as a few challenges that Philippine society is facing.
“He acknowledged them, then moved on. Walang direksyon, walang pokus, walang giyang. May makina ang gobyerno pero walang drayber. Paikot-ikot patungong wala,” she said.
The lawmaker stated that the plan is more than listing what’s wrong, but rather informing the people on what steps to take to reach the outcome. Although there is no shortcut when it comes to providing solutions to poverty and societal injustices, de Lima pointed out that government agencies cannot execute half-thought agendas.
“The SONA failed to offer a concrete path, protecting the roots of inequality, justice, and rights violations. It gestured, then docked. Congress cannot legislate blindly. Agencies cannot execute half-thought agendas,” she emphasized.
“The victims, those still waiting for justice, still navigating bureaucracy, still barely surviving, have waited long enough. Walang saysay ang rule of law kung hindi mo kayang harapin ang tanong [na], ‘para kanino ba ang hustisiya?” she added.
The Love Bus revival
Apart from justice, de Lima also questioned the libreng sakay project through revival of love buses, stating, “The revival of love buses may be charming, but nostalgia is not policy. We’re in a crisis. Hindi po ito panahon ng throwback.”
As the administration enters its second half, the lawmaker pointed out that the people need a government that tells the truth, gets the work done, and plans for more than the next press release.
Marcos announced the comeback of the 1970s love bus during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, adding that it will be a free public transportation option. The pilot testing had already begun in Davao and Cebu. However, the President assured it would eventually expand to other cities in Visayas and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, de Lima also revealed that several lawmakers, including herself, filed an open bicameral joint resolution for transparency and accountability.
The lady solon’s privilege speech was also referred to the Committee on Rules for the appropriate action, following Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega’s approval of the motion.
