President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. | (File photo from Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines —The shepherding of the passage of Maharlika Investment Bill (MIF) in Congress by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his first year in office is “strategic.”
This was observed by University of the Philippines political science professor Rogelio Panao.
He said Marcos is taking advantage of his still-fiery, post-election popularity in driving forward his pet bills, including the MIF.
“While it is still early in his term and the President is still in the honeymoon stage, he can push for the legislative agenda that he wants lawmakers to sponsor so that these bills can carry weight,” Panao said.
“After three years, the political capital of the President will wane,” he predicted.
“He might not be as attractive (as before), or his allies might no longer follow his lead,” the professor explained.
If Marcos will push the legislation of the MIF during the second half of his term, he might not be able to convince lawmakers anymore to back him up.
This is because he will already be looked upon as a lame duck.
“In the President’s last three years, of course, his political power will weaken because he’s about to exit office,” Panao said.
“His allies in Congress are already looking for the strongest contender to be the next president,” he added.
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