First 100 days  

Just like that, we are already ushering in the first 100 days of our elected officials. Ever since they took oath they should have at least created new plans and projects for their respective areas. Others simply had to just continue what was started by those who came before them. At the end of the 100th day, they are expected to deliver a speech updating their constituents of the current state.

But here we are reeling from the effects of our choices. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has given his plans and visions in a ceremony. He pledged to make Cebu city like Singapore, a goal which he so wanted to achieve since. Other cities and municipalities have also given their reports so the people know what they have been doing for the past few days.

The case is different for our president, there is no report to hear for his first 100 days. Instead, we hear most of his officials resigned from their post because of differing reasons. Aside from the executive secretary, the press secretary also chose to quit when we are in the middle of a limbo. The reason may be valid or not, but it feels like we were left hanging. What now?

However, the underlying question also is why? We ask the reason why they left a prestigious job to work for the president. There must be something deeper than the reasons that they have given, something they cannot disclose. It could also be just a hunch; a doubt that we are casting over the people working for the highest official in the land.

That, too, is another issue in itself as we also struggle in the first 100 days of the new administration. We are living in inflation, trying hard to make ends meet. The prices of basic commodities are higher than they ever were while people are losing jobs by the minute. These are economic impacts that could just be the effect of the pandemic, coupled by other unforeseen factors. However, I believe that there is little to no effort to curb the rising inflation rate.

Yet, we continue to accept that this is our fate. We have forgotten to ask from the elected officials their accountability to make our lives more secure. Every day has been a struggle for most of us, but we choose to be mum. We see the president and his family attend social events abroad, riding government transportation, but we never bat an eye. It seems like we are empowering them to use our funds in exchange for informal ties and agreements set in stone over a couple of drinks.

Times may have changed but the Filipino's plight remains. My only wish is that in the next 200 days or more, we will see the light of day where promises are finally fulfilled. May we be enlightened that we did not make a mistake in choosing our leaders.