The Singapore Formula 1 race

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. watched the Singapore Formula 1 race in Singapore. He was with his family as well as his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Naturally, his apparent vacation in the said country was criticized. The country currently has many problems such as high prices, high fuel costs, and a high US dollar rate. The inflation rate in September reached 6.9%. All that should be addressed but what did the president do? He watched the race.

When asked what funds were used to spend for the junket, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said it was irrelevant because the president was still able to perform his function as the country’s leader. Marcos himself said the best way to drum up business is Formula 1. If that’s the case then he should watch all 22 races in the season, right?

The Palace only confirmed the trip last Monday when the event was already over, calling the trip “productive”. What did he produce? What work could he have done for the country? Does that mean whenever he leaves and watches a social event like racing, asking who spent for the trip is irrelevant? And the news has it there were others on that trip as well.

Then we have the back-to-back resignations of Jose Calida of COA and Trixie Cruz-Angeles as press secretary. Angeles cited health reasons. We have yet to hear from Calida. Bersamin also announced that Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ longtime friend, and spokesperson during the campaign, is no longer part of the Marcos administration. He was appointed as executive secretary but also resigned after the sugar importation controversy, among other things.

The Marcos administration is less than a hundred days old and yet all these have already happened. But he still found time to watch an expensive racing event. We are not saying he has no right to do that. But the country has many problems. Many are still hungry and facing inflation head-on. We know he can afford to go to Singapore using funds from his very deep pockets. But the matter of who foots the bill was not even answered. Just deflected.

I recall when former President Noynoy Aquino bought a Porsche 911. Wasn't he also heavily criticized for tha