What an eventful 2024 for the Marcoses

We bid farewell to 2024. This is the last day of the year which we should mark as the year that the Marcoses have gained so much legal and political mileage in the government and in our justice system. The presidency of BBM has achieved tremendous advantages for the Marcos family. And by the looks of it, it will continue to do so.

Aside from consolidating political power by building a formidable coalition among the major dynasties and political lords and barons among the LGUs from Ilocos to Tawi-Tawi, BBM has a complete control of the House of Representatives under the baton of his first-degree cousin, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Even the progressive Makabayan bloc has effectively entered into a virtual tactical alliance with the Palace by using Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio as the common enemy, and target of impeachment and prosecution. The Senate is also controlled by the Palace, and more so, after the 2025 senatorial polls.

The presidential sister, Imee is just playing a charade because of her dislike of the first lady, but when the rubber hits the road, Manang Imee will be true to being a Marcos, not a Duterte. The Villars will always be with the powers-that-be because of their business empire. The Cayetanos are the ultimate balimbings and the Estrada/Ejercito brothers, both the good one and the better, will always be with Malacañang. Tito Sotto and Ping Lacson are coming and they too, are for BBM. Even the ambitious Tulfos are bound to toe the line while being pro-Marcos would serve their interests.

There will be no more Bato or Bong Go, Robinhood will just be there for show. All the Duterte candidates will eat the dust, including Marcoleta and Quiboloy. The Senate will be a Marcos chamber. Only Risa will stand up to oppose but her voice will die down in the wilderness. And mark my words, more than 80% of the LGUs will be the candidates of BBM. I am afraid that even the judiciary, and I pray hard that I will be proven wrong, will dance to the music of the times. Look at what happened in 2024. The trend is quite alarming. And I am not saying that the courts are wrong. I respect the judiciary and I submit to their decisions. But just look at the trends.

On January 19, this year, Ortigas and Company lost its case against the Marcoses involving 18.4 hectares of prime land. On February 24, the court dismissed the ill-gotten wealth case against alleged Marcos associates, both deceased Velasco and Yap and one O. Bermudez. On October 4, the president's chief legal adviser, Juan Ponce Enrile was acquitted, together with his chief of staff, Atty. Gigi Reyes, and even including Janet Napoles herself, in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. Of course, the judiciary is independent of the executive. But we are merely amazed at the series of dismissals of cases.

On October 6, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the ill-gotten wealth case against the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Imelda Marcos concerning alleged real properties in Baguio, Manila, Makati and California all worth ?276 million. Reason for dismissal: inordinate delay. On November 19, the Sandiganbayan approved a compromise agreement between the heirs of the Marcoses and the PCGG involving properties in Antipolo and Baguio and PLDT stocks. On December 12, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the final six ill-gotten wealth cases against the Marcoses (including Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos, JP Enrile, Eduardo Cojuangco, Clara Lobregat, Cesar Zalamea, and Jesus Pineda) involving the coco levy fund.

These are a matter of record, even Wikipedia is publishing them. We can therefore say that 2024 has been very good for the Marcoses. Was it good for the Filipinos too? The answer my friend, as the song goes, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind.

BBM is such a wonderful president (he keeps me wondering). The Marcoses are indeed very lucky in the Year of the Dragon. Will their fortune continue in the Year of the Snake? Only heaven knows.