Manolo Quezon is #TheExplainer Newsletter — An insight
As we approach the inaugural that will seal the Marcos Restoration, we are starting to get glimpses into the President-elect’s approach to the presidency.
This week’s The Long View
Perspective | Inquirer Opinion — opinion.inquirer.net
By: Manuel L. Quezon III — @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:07 AM June 01, 2022
A few days ago, the President-elect gave us an insight into how he balances the freewheeling promises candidates can make, and the sober calculations required of officials once they take office. He also provided an insight into the perspective he brings to the table when it comes to problem-solving.
First, he stepped back from his previous (campaign) stance of flirting with the idea of reviving the old Oil Price Stabilization Fund. Instead, he now says that a more targeted approach, meaning for the sectors most immediately affected by high gas prices, such as transport and agriculture, is required; and that furthermore, this should be for a limited time only, as better suited to present conditions.
Next, he gave an insight into how he intends to approach problem-solving. It isn’t necessarily a technocrat’s point of view, or that of a manager, or even, I suspect, that of a traditional (meaning temporary) chief executive; it is, instead, proprietary because of a familial approach.
Referring to the ever-increasing price of oil because of the Ukraine crisis, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he wants to negotiate with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to obtain more favorable prices. “I think the relationship … with the countries in the Middle East by our OFWs will help us because … we already have many dealings with them. So, maybe we can open these negotiations,” he told reporters. As far as that goes, what he said reflects long-standing government-to-government links, dating back to many administrations.
What he said next, however, was revealing. He told reporters how, during the 1973 oil crisis, caused by the Arab-Israeli conflict of that year, his father sent Geronimo Velasco, who was minister of energy, to negotiate on behalf of the Philippines. Accompanying Velasco was Marcos Jr. “And we discussed with Saudi Arabia and all the other oil-producing countries that we buy oil from, to lengthen the payback period. It was from 90 days to 180 days. We were able to manage that … because we were very worried at that time of our foreign reserves,” Marcos Jr. recalled.
At the time, Marcos Jr. was 16 years old, still studying at the Worth School in England. The President-elect’s recollections, of course, suggest a precocious childhood. This is, in fact, asserted by his own campaign website which has, next to a picture showing the President-elect watching as Richard Nixon signed the Palace guest book, this first entry in the political timeline of Marcos Jr.’s life, circa 1969: “the young diplomat.”
Interestingly enough, on Dec. 11, 1980, on the seventh anniversary of the Philippine National Oil Company, President Marcos (Senior) delivered a speech recalling the genesis of the oil policies and programs of his government. Three paragraphs make for interesting reading:
“You will recall that in 1973 — hardly a year after we had put into operation the mechanisms for establishing political stability — our country was once more confronted by an event that gravely endangered our economic life. The worldwide energy crisis gave rise to uncertainties that not only threatened our capacity for further growth but also cast serious doubts on our capability for national survival.
“The country had no secure supply of oil. The immediate question centered on whether imported oil was to continue to flow into the country in volumes that would sustain our economic growth. We were rudely jolted by the fact that the vital linkages to our traditional oil supplies were under the control of multinationals.
“Again, in 1974, Saudi Arabia notified us that we were stricken off the friendly list. You remember that. And once more, we had to send, first, Minister Romulo; then, the First Lady. In 1974, when not even Minister Romulo could mollify the Saudi Arabian government, the First Lady had to go to England to see the King who was ailing. Then she went to Saudi Arabia and sought out the doctors of the Royal Family. And that was how she got close to the Royal Family.”
What seems to have mattered to President Marcos Sr. was to pay tribute to the efforts of his wife, who’d gone on a 20-day trip. The official Palace account summarized that she:
• Succeeded, with the help of Prince Fadh, Prince Saud, and Ambassador Shoboksi, Saudi Arabia ambassador to the Philippines, in asking King Khalid of Saudi Arabia to restore the supply of oil to the Philippines. The country gets 50 percent of its oil needs from Saudi Arabia.
• Negotiated with Middle East suppliers of crude oil in the United States for a steady supply of crude oil for the country.
• Sought the cooperation of the American Petroleum Institute for the acceleration of the drilling program in the Philippines.
• Obtained the assistance of scientists of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States for the broadening of applicable technology in the development of local energy resources.
Sadly, there is no mention of the contribution of today’s President-elect (or Minister Velasco) in 1973. Perhaps, it was impolitic to take away the spotlight from the former first lady. But her son has been quick to remind us, what sets him apart, is a uniquely British approach to affairs of state. As the Windsors refer to themselves as The Firm, so, too, does the President-elect reveal his perspective: familial and not institutional.
#ProyektoPilipino episode 17
“Kailangan ba nating manahimik lamang at maging masunuring mga bata sa awtoridad?”
We elected our officials with trust and conviction that they are fit to lead our country. But we also have the right and the civic duty to tell the government exactly what we need, especially when there are areas to improve and correct. Checks and balances are a very important part of our democracy and in this episode, we join Fr. Tito Caluag and his trio of distinguished thinkers — Manolo Quezon, Leloy Claudio, and Carlo Santiago — as they discuss what it means to be an active citizen of our country.
“Iba yung nakikipaglaban sa nakikipag-away. We need to hold our elected officials accountable dahil lahat tayo ay may pananagutan.”
My Rotary Presentation
Rotary Makati Presentation: From the Fifth to the Sixth Republic? The 2022 election in context — Manuel L. Quezon III — www.quezon.ph
My presentation to the joint meeting of two Rotary Clubs in Makati. This gave a summarized version of my thoughts on the Rise and Fall of the Fifth Republic (1983–2015) and the Marcos Restoration (1992–2022) and the May 9, 2022 elections and its aftermath.
After my presentation, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sent word that as of now, she has no interest in the parliamentary system; that, during her term, she supported proposals to adopt it as a matter of support for Jose de Venecia Jr.
You can also view my presentation deck.
An interesting riff on my presentation
An interesting riff on one of my earliier presentations. I learned a new word: “egregore.” Check the piece out, it’s an interesting read.
“The Ultimate Egregore Fighting Championship of the Philippines” — medium.com
It turns out my country isn’t what I thought it was.
In May of 2022, my countrymen elected Bongbong Marcos as president. BBM’s father, Ferdinand Marcos, was the villain of the world I grew up in. And now the son of the dictator is the choice of the people.
This is very perplexing to many of us.
I had conversations with BBM supporters, including some friends. The most common explanation — that they were victims of disinformation — just didn’t sound complete. It felt like there was something deeper.
I played around with the concept of “egregores,” which I encountered in the sensemaking corner of Twitter. That, along with a lecture by Manuel Quezon III and a framework by a scholar named Mina Roces, felt like a better explanation for the recent elections.
Whether we like it or not, we need to live with BBM supporters. They are our colleagues, our relatives, our neighbors. And if we want more people to share our ideals for this country, the first step is to understand the ideals of those who elected Marcos.
Thank you!
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