SLOGAN FOR THE NATION Workers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority pause for a look at the stage being prepared at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Friday, ahead of tomorrow’s grand launch of President Marcos’ governance brand. —RICHARD A. REYES
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Friday “strongly encouraged” barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to attend Sunday’s launch in Manila of the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) campaign to be led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Bagong Pilipinas” is the Marcos administration’s new governance brand, which the President introduced in his Memorandum Circular No. 24 issued in July last year.
The campaign “calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government,” according to the memo, which also directed all government agencies, state universities and colleges, and government-owned or controlled corporations to use the Bagong Pilipinas logo in their communications.
‘Waste of resources’
But Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares was skeptical of the program’s declared purpose.
“According to several barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials that we spoke with, this will be used by the Marcos administration to push for Cha-cha (Charter change) and make it look like all those who attended are in support of it,” Colmenares said in a statement on Thursday.
Colmenares dismissed the event as a “waste of the people’s resources.”
“In the middle of poverty and the absence of aid to the people, the government will again spend on a rally that doesn’t make sense,” he added.
Make it viral
“No amount of rebranding of the Marcos Jr. administration could uplift the lives of the marginalized sectors like the fisherfolk, as long as the same burdening economic policies are still in place,” said the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, a Bayan Muna ally.
“The Filipinos need concrete steps to address the economic crises such as inflation and loss of lives and livelihood due to environmental destruction, not a superficial rebranding,” they added.
READ: Time to become ‘Bagong Pilipino’ in 2024 – Marcos
Abalos on Friday called on “all punong barangays, sangguniang barangay members, Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna” to attend the launch at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
His directive was also addressed to “regional, provincial and city directors of the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), including municipal local government operations officers of the said region and provinces.”
Sunday’s activity kicks off with a “serbisyo caravan” at 9 a.m., or nine hours before the program proper at 6 p.m.
Performers
In the Abalos memo, local officials are given a link where they can “preregister … and monitor the expected number of participants.”
They were also “encouraged” to accomplish an attendance sheet prior to their arrival at the venue.
“Participants shall take photos for posting on their personal Facebook page and on the LGU’s (local government unit) official social media accounts, with the hashtag #BagongPilipinasLaunching,” the memo read.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the program would feature some performing artists, such as Skusta Clee, Andrew E, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, 4th Impact, Geneva Cruz, Arci Muñoz and Ronnie Liang.
“This is really going to be a fun day but also an informative day for us to rejoice and celebrate Bagong Pilipinas,” said PCO Director Cris Villonco, adding that her office expects “around 200,000 to attend.”
In a statement, the PCO said a coalition of businessmen, civic leaders and employers had pledged to support the Bagong Pilipinas brand.
Former Sen. Jose Lina will lead the Buklod Bayani Coalition in signing an agreement with Secretary Frederick Go (the special assistant for investment and economic affairs) and Secretary Ernesto Perez of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the PCO said. —Reports from Nestor Corrales, Julie M. Aurelio and Jacob Lazaro INQ