By Gonzalo Duque

 

I wish everybody a hopeful and prayerful New Year. May your families be safe, sound, and remain healthy throughout the 2026 season!

*          *          *          *

We have seen a lot of changes in our political system and observed that a new breed of leaders is emerging.

The Yellowtards, Pinklawans, Marcos Loyalists, and the traditional parties, such as the Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, Lakas, PDP-Laban, and others, have found common causes. Their common cause right now is Sara Duterte.  

They are doing their best to unseat Sara, as they all want to prevent the vice president from running in the 2028 election.

Now leaders like Leandro Leviste, Kiko Barsaga, and Henry Marcoleta have emerged. It would be beneficial if this group were to meet and form a new political party or alliance.

The very outspoken Rowena Guanzon must be in that alliance composed of idealistic people who can truly make a change in our government, in both the executive and legislative branches.

There is still time to organize before the 2028 election. There are two years left before we can again decide who is going to be the next President of the Philippines. With this, the newly emerging leaders can easily differentiate themselves from the political trapos we currently have.

I hope they can find the light in what I am saying.

*          *          *          *

The unmitigated tendency of some people in Dagupan towards illegal activities, especially in the manufacture of firecrackers, is catching national attention.

And it would seem this is not only prevalent in Dagupan City but is also a widespread phenomenon happening across our country.

Somebody told me that during President Duterte’s time, there were fewer of these activities.

In Baguio particularly, many people are saying that they miss Duterte because during his time, Digong exercised his leadership to minimize all these illegal activities.

We miss the time when he was President. President Duterte was serious about his responsibilities, whereas today, BBM seems not to be.

How can he stop illegal activities if the President himself is being labeled by his own sister, Imee, as someone who takes illegal drugs?

Leadership is a fundamental principle in governance. How can you expect people to follow you if you are involved in illegal activities?

Sana magbago na kayo. Mayroon pa ba kayong ipagbabago?

*          *          *          *

I posted a group picture of me and my classmates from Batch 1978 of San Beda College of Law on Facebook.

You might be wondering why I posted that photo. In 2026, Batch 1978 will celebrate its golden anniversary.

It would be a great celebration because for the last 50 years, our batch has been the only one that recorded a 100 percent passing rate in the Bar examination.

Some of my classmates in the batch from Pangasinan were former Provincial Board Member Angel Baniqued and the late Dagupan City Vice Mayor Teodoro Manaois III.

Our batch received many appointments during Digong’s presidency because he saw some of us as worthy of his trust and confidence. Digong is a Bedan.

The more prominent appointees included Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea, Atty. Fred Lim, Pagcor chairman; Dondon Bagatsing, Ambassador to India; Saidamen Pagarungan, secretary of Muslim Affairs and a former Commissioner of the Commission on Elections; and, ahem, yours truly, who became Social Security System Commissioner and administrator of the Philippine Coconut Administration  (PCA).

I had the shortest stint as PCA administrator because my doctor advised that if I did not withdraw from my rigorous activities, I might suffer from a stroke. 

Health is wealth. What is power if one is not healthy?

*          *          *          *

The latest surveys from SWS, Pulse Asia, and Publicos Asia indicate that President Marcos has completely lost the trust and confidence of the Filipino people.

And everybody knows this, especially the international community.

Our business leaders are unified in saying that investors are no longer coming to the Philippines. These investors believe that our government is in chaos.

Look at our tourism industry. We have the best islands to showcase to the world. In the rankings, we are the least visited destinations by tourists.

Although I would like to remain hopeful because 2026 is supposed to be the year of prayer, I can’t help but feel that a gloomy year lies ahead of us.