⚡First Days in Action | T.I.O. #106

To borrow Elvis: "A little less motherhood statements, a little more action"

Jul 03, 2025

Hello, Overloaders.

Welcome to the first issue of this new month. It’s a new term for our politicians (Senators to municipal councilors)—and a test for the President and the Vice President in the next half has just begun.

Philippine News

Political News

First Days of Office

Other News

US News

Tr*mp Related

Non-Tr*mp Related

Suspect identified in the fatal ambush of 2 firefighters in Idaho
Despite daunting market conditions, America’s youngest generation of adults is managing to break into the housing market in growing numbers.

Other International News

Sports

UFC 317: Ruthless Topuria wins second title before shoving Pimblett
Our tennis superstar, Alex Eala, reached a new career-high ranking at No. 56. Eala stepped in at Wimbledon, bowing out too early in the women’s singles. She will partner with Eva Lys of Germany for their debut in women’s doubles tonight (Philippine time).
UAAP, Cignal renew partnership

Showbiz

International

Local

Mass Media & Technology

Timow’s Weekly Editorial: Let’s get down to business?

When the sun was at its highest last Monday, it marked the second half of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s six-year term.

The optimism around the oath-taking of new and re-elected officials was that a flurry of executive actions and legislative proposals would soon follow. From the Senate to city halls, our leaders didn’t waste any time trying to show they’re serious. That’s a good sign—but it’s not enough. With a country dealing with persistent poverty, looming global uncertainties, the fallout from the pandemic, and now political instability from an upcoming impeachment trial, actions need to be not just quick but also strategic, not just symbolic but keeping momentum over the long haul.

A Congress That Hit the Ground Running

It would be unfair to say our legislators have been idle. On the contrary, the Senate, freshly reorganized and emboldened by its July opening session, saw a whirlwind of priority bills filed in the first few days when they hog it on the microphone and/or through press releases and social media publication materials (pubmats).

Veteran Senator Loren Legarda anchored her agenda with education and livelihood measures: One Tablet, One Student, the Living Wage Act, the Magna Carta of Waste Workers, and the Blue Economy Act signal her consistent advocacy for environmental, economic, and educational equity.

Senate President Chiz Escudero, who is under fire over his inaction, took a bold step by reviving the long-contentious proposal of mandatory bank secrecy waivers for public officials.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s mix of bills—from education modernization to online gambling regulation—reflects the complexity of our current societal challenges: an education sector in crisis, a workforce struggling for relevance, and a digital space spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, the most loyal Duterte senators have their pet bills: Bong Go leans heavily on disaster resilience and healthcare, while Robin Padilla continues to champion divorce and Muslim representation, hot-button issues that will test our legislative maturity.

Newly reinstated Senator Erwin Tulfo’s pragmatic focus on agriculture and food security—including reviewing the Rice Tariffication Law and empowering the National Food Authority (NFA)—deserves closer attention in a country where food inflation remains one of the most felt issues at the grassroots level.

Senators Joel Villanueva and Tito Sotto revived long-standing labor and media issues: anti-endo, anti-fake news, and 14th-month pay. Familiar, yes—but perhaps now with new urgency.

Then there’s Bam Aquino’s emphasis on education-to-employment reforms, which sounds like a simple bridge but could become a lifeline for a disillusioned youth staring down at underemployment and AI-driven displacement.

All told, the legislative energy is promising. But these bills, no matter how noble, will require prioritization, negotiation, and coordination with both the House of Representatives and the executive department. Otherwise, they’re just paper.

Local Leaders Making Moves

If Congress is one battlefield of reform, the local governments are another.

One standout example is Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who on her first day issued a dozen executive orders. From implementing Freedom of Information at the provincial level to mandating free access to terminal comfort rooms (a small but symbolic policy of public dignity), Baricuatro is making a case that change can come from the provinces, not just from Manila.

Her reconstitution of the Provincial Health Board and establishment of youth task forces speak to a larger agenda: that of decentralizing good governance and empowering local communities. If replicated in other provinces and cities, this model could become a crucial counterweight to national dysfunction.

Meanwhile, in Manila and Naga, they had two differing visions of governance under Mayors Isko Moreno and Leni Robredo, respectively. Their acts need no introduction.

The Shadow of Impeachment

And yet, all this energy and optimism may soon be tested by political turbulence: the looming impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte later this month.

This development threatens to upend not only the unity—or illusion thereof—between Malacañang and the Duterte bloc but also the political landscape heading into the 2028 presidential race.

To be clear, the impeachment of a sitting vice president is no small matter. It will consume time, attention, and political capital. Regardless of how strong or weak the case is, the mere process will paralyze legislative activity (including the deliberations for next year’s national budget calculated to Php 6.793 trillion), deepen political polarization, and distract from pressing issues like inflation, job creation, digital transformation, and climate resilience.

Worse, it may unravel the fragile alliances that currently hold the administration together. Marcos Jr. must now decide: will he let political grudges derail the legislative gains being attempted? Or will he rise above it and steer the country with a statesman’s vision?

The Stakes of the Second Half

The second half of any presidency is historically when major legacies are cemented—or shattered. For Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the question is no longer about how far he is from his father’s shadow, but whether he can cast his own.

He entered office in 2022 riding on a wave of nostalgia and the promise of unity. But the latter proved elusive. Now, at midterm, that promise has worn thin, and the people who voted for him or otherwise want results. The economy has not fully recovered from the effects of inflation. Education is still failing to meet global standards. Corruption scandals, though less frequent than in previous administrations, remain unresolved. And poverty—masked by upbeat GDP figures—is still a daily battle for millions of Filipinos.

The second half must be different.

This is the time to push through real reform, not just issue soundbites. To fund education, not with slogans but with serious budget reallocation. To regulate digital space not just with bans but with ethical frameworks. To address climate threats not with declarations but with community-based adaptation programs.

Will this chapter be defined by substance or scandal? By progress or paralysis? By leadership or political theater?

The answer lies not just in the halls of Congress or in the decisions of the Palace, but in the vigilance, memory, and will of the Filipino people.

Let’s get down to business, Pilipinas. Because time, history, and the next generation won’t wait.

Before You Go

I'm writing to let you know that I'll be pausing my YouTube video creation until further notice. Unfortunately, my dad is diagnosed with a severe disease that requires my full attention right now.

However, I want to assure you that all written deliverables (WordPress, Substack, and Monthly Surveys) will proceed as scheduled.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.

Enjoy your day.

~Timow

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