“Court Unanimously Disbars Atty. Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon for Misogynistic, Sexist, Abusive and Repeated Intemperate Language.”
This was the official Statement of the Supreme Court of the Philippines last June 28, 2023. Almost at the same time, President Bongbong Marcos officially appointed the disbarred Larry Gadon as Presidential Adviser on “Poverty Alleviation.”
Social media was quick to pick up the news, and was immediately abuzz with “What?” “Is this misogynist qualified and able to solve the decades-old problem of poverty for the millions of Filipinos?” “Is that cabinet-level position for a disbarred individual within the qualification standards of the Civil Service Law,?” “Wow, this guy was rewarded for his attacks on Bongbong’s political rivals during the campaign period,” “Doesn’t that public office carry with it a P200,000 plus monthly salary?” “Lucky guy, indeed, after disbarment, a juicy position in government!”
Such a decision from the head of state has made Filipinos concerned with good governance sadly shake their heads. Just recently the administration announced the need for “right-sizing” in the government bureaucracy.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is staffed with 17 Directors, and above them are a number of Assistant Secretaries (Asec), not to mention Under Secretaries (Usec). If an Asec earns a monthly salary of P181, 000, then anyone can just imagine how much a Usec earns in a month. We wonder how much the government spends for the monthly salaries of all the officials with the titles of “Cabinet Secretaries,” “Usecs,” “Asecs,” “Directors,” and other political appointments. One comment made was “Whoa, is this a legal way to steal from the government coffers?!”
That Mr. Lorenzo Gadon was appointed to a newly-made position, despite established departments such as the DSWD and the Anti-Poverty Commission only highlights President Bongbong’s penchant for flaunting his presidential power. He has a largess for creating positions as, what commentators say, “accommodations for friends and cronies.”
And this is not to mention certain other high-level appointments of recycled officials with questionable track records. Indeed, he sees himself apparently as a King, or Dictator, rather than as a Public Servant.
With the country still struggling for the economy to recover, is there any clear justification for his priorities, as for example, pushing with his fellow dynasts the highly-criticized Maharlika Investment Fund, or granting a measly increase of P40 per day as minimum wage for the workers in NCR?
Quo vadis, Philippines, under a “UNITY” leadership?
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