MANY Filipinos no longer hide their dissatisfaction with the current administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
This sentiment is fueled by the continuous surge in prices of essential goods and services, aggravated by the relentless increase in diesel and gasoline prices.
According to them, ordinary Filipinos can no longer afford the cost of living, especially those who are minimum wage earners.
“I think the lives of Filipinos even more difficult now because the prices are rising,” according to Anabell, netizen.
“If we compare it to his father’s time, of course, to Marcos’ father. But now, it seems like nothing is happening,” according to Jose, netizen.
“I don’t have any… Nothing has changed, even gasoline prices keep on increasing. Before, [PBBM promised] the rice for p20, but now it’s like, p20 for the rice, and that’s your change from a hundred,” according to Micheal, netizen.
“He said that the prices would go down. For now, it seems to be increasing even more,” Maribeth, said.
“For me, it was safer during duterte’s time because of the drug problem. Now, there’s no action on what will happen in our lives because the prices of rice, oil, and gasoline keep on rising, making it difficult for us poor people,” according to Jimray, Tricycle driver.
“All I can say is he should help all the poor people, as he said that rice and prices would go down. That should be implemented so the poor won’t suffer too much,” according to Crisanto, Tricycle driver.
They also express their concern that over the increasing number of drug addicts they see on the streets.
Some Filipinos say it feels safer during former President Duterte’s time
During the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte, they said, they feel safer.
But now, they claim to see many drug peddlers operating more openly.
“I support Duterte, but I’m also okay with how Marcos is running things because there hasn’t been anything… But what I can say about Duterte is during his time as the Philippine president, there weren’t as many drug peddlers. It somewhat decreased. For now, there are addicts everywhere again. And there are quite a few cases of rape. That’s why I’m for Duterte,” according to Vangie, netizen.
“He somewhat lacks an iron fist compared to the Duterte administration, which was very strict about drugs and all the problems,” according to Lance.
“It was safer during Duterte’s time because there were no addicts. If he runs again, I will vote for him again. I am an Ilocana, and I won’t leave Marcos, but what happened now? They are just fighting among themselves,” Jenny said.
Overall, in comparison, the public seems to favor President Duterte’s governance because they perceive it as more responsive during crises and emergencies.
“I prefer the situation during pres. Duterte’s time. I really saw how he focused on the country because now it seems like I don’t see the president being visible,” Lance added.
“With Duterte, many things changed, even for me, one of those who changed,” he stated.
Some also pointed out the rift between Duterte and Marcos, including the entry of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the Philippines to investigate the former president.
This was followed by their public exchange, with Duterte alleging Marcos of being part of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA’s) narco list when he was still the mayor of Davao City.
Filipinos still hopeful for Duterte-Marcos resolution amid rift
Despite this, some Filipinos still hope that tensions between Duterte and Marcos will subside.
They believe it would be better if they could unite for the common goal of further developing the Philippines.
