PBBM: Politics should be in the service of the people

FILE: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday he is attending the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit to advance the country’s interest in various fields amid the current challenges and major geopolitical developments. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – Politics should always be in the service of the people, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his vlog on Sunday.

“Politics should not be in the service of one party, should not be in the service of one person, certainly. Namumulitika tayo dahil mayroon tayong gustong gawin (We enter politics because we want to do something),” Marcos said.

The President made the statement in response to a letter written by Erica, a Humanities student who is interested in Philippine politics and history.

Marcos said an individual seeking whatever elective position should not be self-centered.

President Marcos lauded Erica’s interest in Philippine history, saying there is much to learn from history.

The President said the Filipino people should realize that politics is constant, a favorite topic on social media but where fake news are rampant.

He advised the youth to discern and take both sides of the story on issues.

“Because we have experienced this before. Politics is essentially about the human condition, it is about an ideology that you hold dear, a principle that you will not compromise so that you can help the people, so you can be of service to the people. Not to yourself, not to your party, not to your family, but for the people,” he added.

The President answered questions and letters received by the Office of the President from “Bahay Ugnayan” museum about politics, rice prices and jeepney modernization program, among other national issues.

Responding to a question if “BBM” stands for ‘Bigas Biglang Mahal” (rice suddenly expensive), President Marcos said dealing with rice prices is a serious problem not only in the Philippines but in other Asian countries as well.

He said top rice producers Vietnam and Thailand are similary affected by “external shocks” such as the movement of oil prices.

He noted that the government is doing all it can to ensure a sufficient supply of rice in the market.

“Ginagawa natin lahat upang naman ang produksyon natin ay maging sapat na hindi na tayo nag-i-import, mababawasan ang mga inputs, kung tawagin para sa ating mga farmer at sana naman ay ma-stabilize man lang natin ‘yung presyo ng bigas (We are doing everything so that our production will be enough so that we will no longer import, inputs will be reduced and hopefully we can stabilize rice prices),” President Marcos said.

The President also reiterated that the government is not phasing out jeepneys. Instead, it is trying to modernize the transport system to provide quality service to commuters and provide the drivers better income.

Marcos added that modernized jeepneys are also good for the environment.