My View of PBBM’s first 100 Days

PUNCHLINE

by Ali G. Macabalang

Some friends on Facebook and colleagues in the media asked me about my assessment of the 100 days in office of President BBM, noting my blunt criticisms of his Presidential candidacy in this year’s national and local elections.

Here is my assessment based on the two major aspects of governance – administrative and operational dimensions.

Operation-wise, I would give the PBBM administration a passing mark. In his words and acts in public, I sensed in him a faithful pursuit of his hyped call for “unity” and “healing leadership.”

Past presidents had tried but failed to reunite the fragmented Bangsamoro revolutionary leaders. PBBM is so far able to make a difference. His administration has reconciled at least in public eyes Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Ahod Balawag “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chieftain Nur Misuari, on one hand, and MNLF faction chairman Muslimin Sema and Misuari, on the other.

PBBM has drawn public appreciation for his speech at the recent assembly of the United Nations, during which he underscored in a rosy fashion the need for peace and unity. Personally, I saluted him for citing as an initial step in his unity call for the reunion of the Moro revolutionary leaders for the sake of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He has repeatedly assured his administration’s “utmost” support to the BARMM governance.

Administrative-wise, I would give the PBBM administration a grade of “4” on a scale of 1 to 10. I am surprised that in his first 100 days, three cabinet members – Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and COA Chairman Jose Calida – resigned. Whatever the reasons behind it, the resignation of the three officials indicated something wrong within the circle of PBBM’s lieutenants.

I just hope President BBM will be able to improve his government’s administrative functionary