This Week in Media (May 23 to 27, 2022)

Media follow Cabinet formation; Health crisis not over

IT IS official: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte have been proclaimed President and Vice President of the Philippines. Media noted the canvassing as the fastest in Philippine history as it took only two days. Reports recorded only one hitch: Some ballot boxes delivered to Congress, convened as the National Board of Canvassers, did not contain the physical certificates of canvass (COC). The concerned provincial election supervisors were unable to include the documents in the boxes. News accounts said photos of missing COCs from Surigao Del Sur, Pampanga and Sultan Kudarat were authenticated by their respective provincial election supervisors and sent through Viber. The actual hard copies were delivered to Congress in the morning of May 25.

Some lawmakers sitting in the NBOC expressed concern about the lapses that could have disenfranchised voters. In a press briefing, the Comelec clarified that the non-inclusion of the COCs in the ballot boxes was not an election offense, but that it would still investigate what happened. In a chance interview, Sen. Miguel Zubiri attributed the fast canvassing to the “magnanimity” and “graciousness” of the rival candidates of Marcos Jr. and Duterte, as they did not contest the results.

Quotes and soundbites from the proclamation ceremony in the afternoon of May 25 consisted of typical congratulatory messages from the Senate President and House Speaker, as well as messages of thanks from Marcos Jr. and Duterte. 

Media said Duterte was alone when she went up the rostrum, refusing to answer journalists’ questions on why none of her family was with her. In contrast, Marcos Jr. was accompanied by his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and Simon, one of his sons; his sisters Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta; and his mother Imelda Marcos. 

In an interview with CNN Philippines outside the House Plenary hall, Imee Marcos, herself a senator, said Imelda suddenly became lively again and that all her ailments disappeared. Sen. Marcos added that the return to Malacanang did not matter as much as the opportunity to clear the Marcos name and legacy. News accounts recorded these without getting any other reactions.

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Marcos Jr.’s cabinet

Sustained media interest has focused on the formation of Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, with special attention to his economic team. As of press time, his confirmed choices include Arsenio Balisacan for the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Benjamin Diokno for the Department of Finance (DOF), Felipe Medalla for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Alfredo Pascual for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Media included in their reports references to past positions held by these appointees both in the public and private sector; reports noted that Balisacan was NEDA chief under the administration of the late Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

The appointment of Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as Justice Secretary provoked stronger reactions, particularly negative ones from activists and human rights groups. Print and online media recalled Remulla’s red-tagging of Vice President Leni Robredo’s supporters during the campaign, adding that this DOJ position earns him a seat on the Anti-Terror Council which is empowered to label individuals and groups as terrorists. Reports also recalled that Remulla had pushed for the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Remulla’s appointment to the DOJ also raised questions about his winning the House seat for Cavite’s 7^th district, where he ran unopposed. Media reported Remulla’s statement that a caretaker may be appointed or a special election may be held. The Comelec said in a press briefing that the latter option can only be decided by the House.

These appointments require more research from the media, and providing thorough background research as necessary. The Marcos administration deserves all the scrutiny that media can muster, if they are to retain public confidence in their ability to serve as a watchdog of power.

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COVID and other diseases

The list of Marcos Jr.’s prospective appointees has not included a Health Secretary as yet, but the immediate challenge for this person is clear: addressing the continuing threat of COVID-19, and the improvement of the national health service that has been exposed for its inadequacy and poor service. 

The media have been reporting Health officials’ announcements that Omicron subvariants entered the country this month. While most of the country’s regions are at “minimal risk,” six are now classified as “low risk” due to positive growth rates in the last two weeks: Central Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, CARAGA, SOCCSKSARGEN and the Bangsamoro Region. IATF officials however, said hospitalization rates remain low, reminding the public to get booster shots and to observe minimum public safety protocols.

Local media in the Visayas are also reporting a spike in dengue cases. Health officials quoted in reports reminded the public to consult early once symptoms manifest and to keep surroundings clean. 

News has picked up on the cases of monkeypox, a disease endemic to West and Central Africa, in North America, Europe and Australia. Philippine media reports included symptoms of the disease and its mode of transmission. Reports said the disease is not new, as it was discovered in 1958. Media have monitored DOH assurances that it will maintain screening, isolation and quarantine protocols should there be suspected cases. Hopefully, journalists have learned some lessons about keeping up with developments as this disease has been around even before the world has had to deal with COVID-19.