FIRING LINE: Political storm brewing in Mindanaobe

By Robert B. Roque, Jr.

President Marcos must be jumping up and down these days as if singing along to Duran Duran hits, following the latest Tangere survey showing a bump in his trust and satisfaction ratings.

With his trust score up to 59.3% and satisfaction at 46.9%, there’s reason to celebrate. But those numbers hang by a thread, especially with dissatisfaction brewing in Mindanao — one political misstep could send them plummeting.

Mindanao’s political landscape has already been as fragile as ever since BBM assumed the presidency.

The Mangudadatu family has made accusations against no less than his special assistant and bestie, Antonio Lagdameo Jr., of corruption and meddling in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) politics.

These developments are rooted in the collapse of the grand coalition formed among political dynasties during Digong Duterte’s term.

Now, with the administration’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) forming an alliance with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the political ground is shifting dangerously.

The BARMM Grand Alliance, once a powerful coalition of key political clans, is unraveling as three of its four founding families — the Midtimbangs, Masturas, and Sinsuats — have jumped ship to back the UBJP. This has not only weakened the coalition but also exposed the deep fractures in Mindanao politics.

Mr. President, these are no ordinary political squabbles. The simmering tensions in the region could easily flare up into something far worse.

Before these cracks in alliances deepen, you ought to prioritize national security and listen to your military and security advisers, not just your political confidants. A miscalculation here could be disastrous — not just for your survey ratings, but for the peace and stability of Mindanao.

Hopefully, we do not see another Marawi-type war.

Sara drama saga

Vice President Sara Duterte is at it again: firing back at critics of her two-hour litany of rants last week. She went in and out of calling a dare for her to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and deflecting serious questions about her alleged budget misuse.

Of course, it’s easy to see through her emphatic cursing and victim-playing in this case to deflect accountability.

But let’s not forget a disgusting truth that may justify her expression of gut hate. Isn’t it true that many of these critics had no issue supporting her father’s presidency for six years, despite its blatant abuses of power?

Suddenly, now they’ve found their voices when it’s convenient. I’m just saying.

*         *         *

SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View via X app (formerly Twitter). Read current and past issues of this column at http://www.thephilbiznews.com