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ONE big failure of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in his first 100 days in power is this: He has failed to connect with the masses, which down the road could weaken his political base, making it harder for him to govern the country. Instead, his optics have portrayed him as among the country’s elite, in stark contrast to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s image as, yes, a politician, but one with the masses, who knows what he masses feel.
What else would one expect, with images of him with this magnate-friends drinking wine as soon as it became clear he would be winning the election, of his luxurious inauguration and birthday parties, and singing heartily at a senator’s posh birthday celebration.
Any images of him showing concern for the poor, or those suffering from some calamity in these first 100 days? None. Although he did an aerial inspection of the flooded areas in Central Luzon hit by typhoon Karding last month, he didn’t land in any place, according to him, “so that local authorities can focus relief efforts need not welcome him.” That may be true, but that won’t endear him to the masses.
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