‘TIS the time for reckoning between the newly elected and/or reelected local officials and their respective constituents in Pangasinan. Their first 100 days are over this week.

Traditionally, the governor and mayors are expected to report, putting their best foot forward, with the hope that they will be seen as having fulfilled their campaign promises.

But have they? The situation on the ground in cities and towns are easily discernible. In fact, for most of the electorate, their chief executives will be viewed either as a working father/mother of the populace, or a big mistake and a burden who shouldn’t be reelected in 2025.

Mayors who made giant leaps to deliver and to make some differences will be confident in the thought that henceforth, continuing with the same pace, engagement and involvement will assure him/her of reelection in 2025. The non-performing mayors are almost always those who believe their constituents have no right to expect anything since the latter have been paid well for their votes.

However, how people will view the governor’s 100 Days report is something else since not much have been communicated by his office to the people.

Nonetheless, the first 100 days still cannot be considered as the ultimate gauge or measure of standard for elected officials, the period is seen to bolster hopes or dampen expectations of the electorate. What it tells the electorate is – what and what not to expect from their mayors.

And the governor.

Lesson learned

TRADITION says that wherever the President goes, the people should know.  As the country’s father, he is owned by everyone.  In fact, he is public property 24/7.  So that when Mr. Marcos left for Singapore last weekend unannounced, his critics turned ballistic.  When it was confirmed that he went to watch the Singapore Grand Prix, the world’s No. 1 motorsports that drew a record crowd of 302,000, he was accused of being “insensitive” as he left while the country was still reeling from the wrath wrought by typhoon “Karding.”  The Palace said while the President was in Singapore, he took the opportunity to follow up matters that were taken up during a state visit there last month.  “His trip was productive and continued to encourage investments to the Philippines,” said the Palace statement.  

A rabid Formula One fan, Mr. Marcos learned a lesson here: He can run but he cannot hide.  

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