Iba't ibang isyu ang tinutukan ng bayan sa buong 2024, kabilang dito ang kaliwa't kanang imbestigasyon sa senado at kamara.
Pangunahing hinaing din ng mga Pilipino ang pagtugon ng pamahalan sa mga suliranin sa bayan gaya ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, kapakanan ng mga OFW, kawalan ng trabaho, at kahirapan.
Sa darating na 2025, anu-anong isyu ang dapat tutukan at solusyunan ng pamahalaan? Sasagutin iyan ng Political Consultant na si Alan German sa buong panayam ng #TheMangahasInterviews.
Pangunahing hinaing din ng mga Pilipino ang pagtugon ng pamahalan sa mga suliranin sa bayan gaya ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, kapakanan ng mga OFW, kawalan ng trabaho, at kahirapan.
Sa darating na 2025, anu-anong isyu ang dapat tutukan at solusyunan ng pamahalaan? Sasagutin iyan ng Political Consultant na si Alan German sa buong panayam ng #TheMangahasInterviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thank you very much for listening and watching Damangahas Interviews.
00:10In the upcoming new year, what issues should we monitor at the same time?
00:16We have with us the Political Strategist, Information Technology Consultant, and President of Agents International Incorporated.
00:27He is happy to talk to us and he has a deep knowledge because he has a B.S. in Mathematics and a Masters in Quantitative Economics.
00:38Sir Alan, Herman, have a good day to all of you.
00:42Good day to all of our viewers and listeners.
00:47Merry Christmas and let's hope that our 2025 will be better in the upcoming year.
00:54That's right. Sir Alan, let's start. What are the benefits of the politics and economy that you're looking at and what are the problematic parts that should be addressed?
01:06Wow. Well, of course, that's a long answer. It's very well-detailed and thorough answer ma'am.
01:14But essentially, what we're seeing is that our two major political forces are not helping each other.
01:24Maybe there's no more denialist in us or in the Filipinos who are thinking that the field of the President, Speaker of the House, and the Vice President
01:38are still in agreement. Those are what we call two big political factions, Marcos Romualdez versus Duterte.
01:45They still have a big political influence in our country.
01:51We can see that the problem is that they're fighting each other.
01:58Maybe one side is more aggressive than the other, but they're always fighting.
02:04It's not helping because the people, according to the surveys, and maybe for those who went Christmas shopping, you don't need a survey to find out.
02:13Maybe all of us, the Filipino families, tried to buy food for Noche Buena and gifts for our beloved family and friends.
02:25We noticed that the price of food is like being stabbed in the side. It's painful.
02:33Others are having a hard time finding high-quality jobs.
02:37Our unemployment numbers, they're saying it's steady. But what they're talking about here, aside from the lack of jobs, is the quality jobs.
02:44Underemployment.
02:46Underemployment that is included in our training and our education, our studies, and our training skill level.
02:54It's like politics and economy are two different worlds.
02:59You mentioned that the main issue among the people is inflation, joblessness, and lack of job security.
03:09I don't think that's in line with the politics.
03:15Will the two worlds meet as in swap?
03:19That's what we call in English, polar and diametric opposites.
03:25That's what's saddening in the Philippines. Political interests are rarely in line with the interests of the people.
03:34It's funny and saddening to think about it, ma'am Malu, because what we call our elected leaders are public service, public servants.
03:42But maybe we know that when you're in a position, your interest is to change your political career that you can pass on to your children,
03:57to your siblings, and you have what we call dynastic politics.
04:02But that's what's happening. They're not always aligned.
04:06But if you combine 2024 and you can describe, what was that year about?
04:12What are the adjectives that would best define the year that was?
04:17Well, thank you for phrasing the question in that way because it's easy for me to answer that.
04:23Perhaps in a way that is understandable to our voters because in the last election, we were promised unity.
04:32Unity this, unity that. We will be united, we will be one.
04:36We remember the political advertisements of the two winning candidates.
04:42What they're promising is like a catch-all, what we call unity.
04:47When we are united, the problems of the country will be solved and the Filipino people will have a better life.
04:55So to sum up 2024, well, it's almost the end of the year, what happened is disunity.
05:02That is the word that will frame 2024 best.
05:07There was disunity. All the promises were not fulfilled.
05:11All right. But this is also the year with a lot of calamities, storms, and floods in some places.
05:21It seems like it's not over yet. One after the other, there will be relief operations before the storm arrives.
05:29So is this ever a sign that we can never get out of this problem that we are always prone or vulnerable to calamities?
05:40Well, you know, God tests his toughest soldiers.
05:43It seems like the Philippines is really a tough soldier for us.
05:49It's a matter of our geography, it's a matter of where we are situated in terms of our location vis-a-vis the high prone areas.
06:01But if your economy and your leaders have a good disaster response and a good fund to help our disaster risk management control and relief,
06:17I think it's safe to say that the effects of our calamities are not that bad.
06:25As you said, Ma'am Malu, this has been happening to us for years.
06:30Correct.
06:30If your roof is falling down every day or if your roof is falling down every Sunday and it's getting damaged,
06:40maybe you've already found a way to solve that problem.
06:45So it's quite surprising. It's quite confusing as to why.
06:49We know that these disasters or these typhoons will happen.
06:55We know the seasonality. We studied the data and yet, where will the money go? Why are the projects not going well?
07:03There are people who are saying that maybe there will be reconciliation or maybe the next days and months will be better.
07:12What should be done? What can be the game changer for all these four officials? What should they do?
07:19Stranger things have happened in our political history, Ma'am Malu.
07:25Honestly, the reconciliation, where I'm sitting, I don't see that in the immediate future. Maybe civility.
07:35Maybe civility is the better term. They're just cold to each other.
07:40You just let one move and the other moves on its own.
07:46President BBM has already spoken. He said never say never. The door will never be fully closed.
07:56You can't say what will happen.
07:58But on the other hand, the vice president has also spoken. I will not forget. I will not forgive even if I die.
08:07But the Christmas message of the vice president is forgiveness and love.
08:13That's the last one. That's the last one. But the first one, she did frame it in the right context, at least in her context.
08:22She said, because I'm the vice president, that's what I should say, that's the Christmas spirit.
08:28But if it's me, I will not forgive. I will not forget.
08:33Will the proposed impeachment be a game-changer?
08:37It looks like there's a bit of pressure. There's a bit of ceasefire. You said civility, but it's like a detente or political coexistence.
08:47What are you looking at? Would the impeachment complaints make a case for or against unity or further disunity?
08:56To be honest ma'am, out of all the things that have been on my mind, I almost fell off my chair.
09:04I could have never predicted that this impeachment, go go go, if you will notice, all of them, let's call them attack dogs,
09:14are disrespectful to some of the members of our Quadcom. But as you can see, the attack dogs of our Quadcom are full speed ahead and close and fangs out against the vice president.
09:28Suddenly, they got a text message from the President himself saying don't impeach.
09:35That's nonsense. That's not our priority. I'm sure there are many congressmen who were surprised.
09:44Maybe they were hit in the head because I'm dead now. I don't have a rest back.
09:53Full stop first.
09:57Honestly, I think ma'am, the way I read it, the vice president himself is anticipating to be impeached.
10:05To be honest, I think even his camp is expecting him to be impeached.
10:12I personally believe that if they do that in January, I think it will pass through the Congress.
10:22I think they will get the numbers. I don't even think it will pass through the Justice Committee.
10:28I think the Congress has enough support. It's 106 votes, it can pass.
10:32Our big question is just a senator.
10:37The vote to pass the Senate impeachment for two-thirds of 300 plus members, the bar is a bit high.
10:47Do you think it's possible? You're saying it's straightforward.
10:52From complaints that will be reviewed as substantive and informed content, it will pass.
11:00Then it will be straight to the vote in the plenary?
11:02I think this is a straightforward Senate. It will not pass through the Justice Committee of the Senate.
11:08Usually, the process is when it comes to impeachment, if you don't get the two-thirds vote,
11:13you have to hear it again through a series of these committees again,
11:19specifically the Congressional Justice Committee to know if the impeachment complaint is sound, informed,
11:24substantive, reason, et cetera.
11:28But if we do that, why would we do that? That's basically a replay of all the countless hours we watched in the quadcopter.
11:37I think all the committee members and Filipinos saw what they're fighting for, whether they agree with it or not on impeachment.
11:49We know what the articles of impeachment are about.
11:51Personally, I think if... I don't want to say forced.
11:58If there is really a motion to move it and fast-track that in Congress, I think it will pass by the end of January.
12:06All right. But if we go back to what happened, one side seems to be soliciting impeachment.
12:14It's like the Vice President is not ready.
12:18The other side seems to be inducing impeachment but it suddenly full-stopped.
12:23But in your opinion, the election is coming.
12:26It's the campaign period by next month.
12:29Officially, it's the election period and the campaign period by February.
12:35In your opinion, it's like political process is the impeachment and political exercise is the election.
12:43Of course, it's a choice on which side you will cross or will be defeated.
12:49Yes. So our senators will have a hard time.
12:54Well, first of all, if the congressmen and our senators, I think their lunches and lunches will not be delicious in the coming year
13:05because they will have to be forced to choose a side.
13:08That's the problem. If the impeachment reaches the Senate, you will be one of the re-elected senators.
13:15You will do what we call political calculus in your head.
13:20But essentially, you will weigh the numbers in your head.
13:26If I support the impeachment, I will lose DDS votes.
13:32I will lose Iglesia Ni Cristo votes because it's very open.
13:36They said if I support the impeachment, we will not bring you.
13:41So now you will do calculus.
13:43But if I don't support the impeachment, I might lose the political machinery of the current members.
13:52I might lose the LGU that will help me.
13:56The sample ballots might not be with me anymore.
14:00So now you have to make that political calculus.
14:03Let's prepare the people.
14:06Okay. So there are three impeachment complaints.
14:09But it looks like it will be pre-planned.
14:12There will be elections and you're saying that in the end, it will end with where the candidates can win.
14:20Political choices will have to be made.
14:23There will be no betrayal of the public trust, planter, etc.
14:29Sadly. Sadly.
14:31Again, as you mentioned ma'am, impeachment is not a judicial exercise.
14:36It is not to find out whether guilt exists or not.
14:40A political exercise and done by voting at the end of the day.
14:45Okay. And it could be so provocative.
14:48In the last impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada,
14:53there were a lot of people who were caught on TV.
14:57Even now, the Quadcom and the Senate hearings,
15:01a dozen hearings were held, six to eight hours a day.
15:07But what is the effect of this on the citizens?
15:11During the impeachment, we learned the subpoena and the testificandum.
15:17It's like a learning process.
15:20But if there's an impeachment now, do you think the people will still vote as a political strategist?
15:29Will there be a burnout?
15:31If we're talking about impeachment, 100 percent, we will still vote there.
15:36The Filipinos will vote there. That will be our number one spectacle.
15:41We will have impeachment superstars, hearing superstars,
15:46just like individuals like Alice Guo, all Filipinos know Alice Guo and Cassandra Ong.
15:54We learned about POGO because of those trials.
15:59We learned and laughed at the memes about the former spokesperson Harry Roque.
16:06This is definitely a spectacle for the country.
16:12I go back to my earlier point, as a politician now,
16:15because we remember the good example you gave during the time of President Erap,
16:20there were winners and losers in that impeachment.
16:23Those who we thought were sure-wins because they supported Erap's impeachment,
16:29they didn't win.
16:30They fell. They fell. There were a lot of them.
16:35Because the Filipinos look at them as betrayers.
16:40They're evil.
16:42They're treacherous.
16:44So again, all of this will add to the political drama.
16:47It's heightened by social media because social media now has two-way interaction.
16:53Before, we can only watch it on TV.
16:55We can only eat whatever favorites we like and drink juice.
17:00Now, we're on the keyboard and we can retweet.
17:04That's wrong. Why are you like this? Look at this.
17:08There's two-way interaction.
17:10We're all talking to each other while we're watching.
17:12It's like a big TV. All Filipinos are there together.
17:17You're pointing to one very important factor right now that's new,
17:23social media, information and communication technology.
17:27What do you think?
17:29If this would be passed and sent to the Senate impeachment court,
17:34the first trial that will happen and everybody is an editor,
17:39here comes everybody, what kind of impeachment trial will this be?
17:45Definitely, it will be one where the players will be aware of the spectacle and drama and they will play up to it.
17:59I don't want to use examples because there might be people who will get mad at me.
18:03There are congressmen and congresswomen that I know that suddenly changed.
18:08Their outfits glowed up and their makeups glowed up.
18:12They suddenly became stylish when they became famous in the quadcom.
18:19It will be more of the same.
18:21Again, superstars will come out.
18:24Honestly, I think the machinery, the social media machinery of both sides,
18:30the pro and anti-impeachment will be in full force because ultimately,
18:35the politicians will listen to the hearts of the people.
18:38One of the ways they gauge that is through the live comments.
18:41Their own army troll supporters will come out.
18:46But do you see even now, a lot of these political groups getting into influence operations,
18:53or the payments and the communities that bought them, not their official accounts because they will buy and you will find out.
19:03What do you see is happening right now?
19:05Are there a lot of social listening?
19:07Are there a lot of influence operations at play?
19:10I can tell you with 100 percent certainty ma'am and you seem to be familiar with the events of that kind of world.
19:19That's happening right now.
19:21Comelec is very specific.
19:23Your blue check account, your official page, you will register that and count it.
19:29It says nothing about parallel support pages.
19:32It says nothing about Facebook groups that seem to be benign or not outwardly campaigning for you.
19:40It's like a buy and sell group in your area.
19:44Buy and sell motorcycles.
19:46All the motorcycles are there, all the motorheads.
19:48Later on, their content will be increasingly favoring one candidate.
19:53That's what's happening ma'am, full play.
19:57But is it expensive?
19:59Just to give you an idea.
20:01Ads, official accounts on Facebook, it's not expensive when it comes to boosting.
20:06But there are communities that will capture you or influencers that you will line up as supporters,
20:14directly or indirectly, furtive or open.
20:17Is that expensive?
20:18Well, they are called KOLs, key opinion leaders.
20:23That's a good term for us influencers.
20:26They are upgraded.
20:27Just like any form of media, it has a rating based on reach, scope, size and reputation.
20:38If I were to buy airtime on GMA7, it will be different if I buy airtime on Tayabas Bible College radio show.
20:48That's a big difference.
20:51It's different for big networks, every second, every minute.
20:57Yes. That's the one that entered my head.
21:00There are some macro influencers, millions of them, that will range in the area of getting a celebrity endorser.
21:11That's up to a million.
21:13But the micro KOLs, 12,000 to 15,000 followers, you can get them for a low price.
21:21They can spell the difference in tightly-fought elections.
21:26How much is that? Per head? Per click? Per follower?
21:31The base price is based on how many confirmed followers you have.
21:42Then they usually give it as a package.
21:44So for example, for four posts, four live videos and for two mentions, they will give a rate.
21:53It can range anywhere from, let's say, Php50,000 to Php500,000.
21:59It just depends on how many followers you have.
22:02Okay. And that's continuous because it's like in the shadows.
22:06Those operations are like sabrosa.
22:08There's no paper trail.
22:10It's likely that it's a direct conversation between people or it won't come from the budget of government agencies or offices of senators and congressmen.
22:21How about the financial transactions?
22:23Well, in the advent of digital banking, especially mobile banking apps, it's like that.
22:31There's no receipt.
22:33It's sent directly.
22:35Of course, we do not espouse this.
22:37We do not encourage it because all those people should file and pay the right amount.
22:43But if it's like that, and you use the right term, sabrosa, that's really, really what it is.
22:49The best way to describe it is sideline.
22:53It's a sideline.
22:55Cash transaction, no paper trail.
22:59You just have to wait because the best thing about social media, like traditional media,
23:05you already know if they delivered what they promised.
23:11You just have to wait.
23:13Is boosting included in the operations?
23:15This is when you give ads, targeted or for spraying, depending on the segment of the community you want to reach.
23:25Is it different?
23:27First of all, when boosting, it should be registered and reported to Cominec, especially if it's an official account.
23:37But let's be realistic here Ma'am Malu.
23:41If you're a web page, it's very difficult for Cominec because the internet is like an ocean.
23:51It's impossible for you to swim.
23:53The whole ocean is the whole world.
23:55So the boosting budget is not included there.
23:59It's usually separate.
24:01All right.
24:04Let's take a look at political ads.
24:06On TV, radio and online, some of our politicians have money.
24:12The problem is, the campaign spending is not yet counted because they are not officially candidates until the campaign period starts.
24:20On social media, if that's the case, only those who have money can fight.
24:26Isn't it sad that this is our timeless formula to win in politics?
24:32It's really four M's, man, message, machinery and money.
24:36If you remove one, it will be difficult for you to stand.
24:40Think of it as a stool or a chair.
24:44It has four legs.
24:46If you remove one, it can stand but it's not stable.
24:50The four M's are man, message, machinery and money.
24:54I hope we can replace it with the next generation Ma'am Malu.
24:58We have been doing this for generations.
25:01We are also at fault.
25:03That's why we are doing this.
25:05That's what we need to win in politics.
25:08But it will be difficult to capture the integrity, inclusiveness or fairness of the election.
25:18If he will cast a net, these fish will not be caught.
25:24They will be ignored.
25:26These operations are not done properly.
25:30You know, the rules are quite vague.
25:34You're right.
25:35If you ride a vehicle and go around Metro Manila and nearby areas,
25:43you will see billboards and promotional materials that do not comply with the size guidelines of COMELEC.
25:51Again, because they are not technically candidates.
25:55There are huge loopholes in the law for campaigns.
26:01It is one of those things wherein politicians will always take advantage of loopholes, especially big loopholes.
26:09And the campaign of both buying and selling.
26:13Of course, no politician will admit that they bought the vote.
26:17And later voters will admit that they received the vote.
26:23There are a lot of things that are not captured.
26:26Now I'd like to ask you,
26:28are you looking for effectiveness or efficacy?
26:34Where is the most effective advertisement for ads?
26:38Where is the most effective platform for political advertisement for the upcoming election?
26:43Because it used to be TV and radio would be priority and print on the side.
26:48But now social media, online media, how big is the effect?
26:52If you were to have, let's say, your budget is only P10 million,
26:56where is the most effective?
27:00Well right now, the split is 60 to 70 percent social media.
27:05Believe it or not.
27:07Especially for national elections.
27:10We're talking about national elections here.
27:13National elections, 60 to 70 percent social media,
27:16it is the cheapest, fastest, most effective way to increase your base,
27:23to put eyeballs on your message.
27:25The beauty of social media, as I've said,
27:28it also has an offline component.
27:32For example, we released a commercial on GMA, on TV, on a show.
27:38When people saw it, they copied my ad and said thumbs up, it's beautiful.
27:43I wouldn't know that.
27:45But on social media, when people commented on my ad,
27:48wow this is a very nice ad.
27:50I can message them and say I'm glad you like the ad.
27:53If you want to volunteer, just go.
27:56There's an interaction on social media.
27:59But having said that, I need to emphasize that TV remains the most credible.
28:05TV is beyond reproach.
28:09When it comes out on TV, especially on networks with reputation and recognition,
28:14it's a vet, there's no fake news, it's a good ad.
28:19So it is the most credible.
28:21The situation for platforms is changing.
28:24It used to be, before social media became so prevalent,
28:28print is the medium of record and reference,
28:31TV is the medium of greatest impact,
28:34radio is the medium of greatest reach.
28:37But now, online and social media could be all of those.
28:40Is that what you see in the picture, the campaign period?
28:45If done well, ma'am.
28:46In fact, if those are your gauge, impact being the word, yes.
28:50Maybe what's suffering on social media is credibility
28:55because there's a lot of fake news, there's a lot of nonsense on social media.
29:02But in terms of all of that, impact, reach, immediacy, affordability,
29:07bang for buck, it's hard to beat social media.
29:11We hold our cellphones 24-7.
29:15It's not like TV or Jario.
29:18Our cellphones are in our pockets 24-7.
29:23Radio and TV are also online.
29:26That's right.
29:27Again, even TV, even the more traditional media as you mentioned,
29:31had to adapt to the platform.
29:33Okay.
29:34Let me tell you, sir Alan, our problem,
29:36the problem is not how much media buys, fame, ad agents, PRs,
29:45the problem we are facing is sometimes there are in the shadows
29:51that are working, the satellite offices,
29:54the reputable public relations and advertising agencies.
29:59Do you have a pick-to-pick that I will choose a candidate
30:04who is trustworthy and good?
30:07Or it's all a market, a buyer's market?
30:12Well, at least I can speak for my agency, ma'am.
30:16We have the advantage.
30:17Of course, a nod to my father, Relly Herman.
30:22Maybe I don't have a face to show to my father
30:27and to the clients of my father,
30:33who I have accepted.
30:35So we have that advantage of having what is known as
30:38a moral compass in terms of choosing our clients.
30:43But you're right, ma'am.
30:45The phenomenon now is the so-called Ronin,
30:51if you know the term.
30:52In fact, that's a term we use during elections,
30:54a masterless samurai.
30:56The creative director of an agency will join forces with the copywriter of an agency,
31:03will join forces with the stylist of the other agency,
31:07will join forces,
31:09they're going to put up an independent group just for elections.
31:12The client will accept them.
31:14After the election, they will go back to their own world.
31:18Aren't these Ronin prohibited in advertising associations, 4As?
31:26Well, technically, ma'am, yes.
31:29The industry itself has their own policing and their own watchdogs.
31:34But the truth is, sometimes the money,
31:37and I hate to put it in these terms,
31:39sometimes the money is too good to pass up, ma'am.
31:42You're practicing your trade,
31:45you're applying your creativity,
31:47you're doing your usual job,
31:52you're just applying to other products, so to speak,
31:55and you're making money seasonally.
31:58So it's really hard to police.
32:01Can we be sure that the right information is reaching the voters?
32:05Does this mean that this is like a whole network of influence operations
32:11that the voters are blocking?
32:14It is really an endemic, multi-headed hydra.
32:20But you know, ma'am Malu, let's not put all of the so-called blame
32:26on those who are peddling information.
32:30The truth is, no one will be fooled if you don't want to be fooled
32:36and if you're conscious.
32:39As I said, I don't think it will happen to our generation.
32:43I hope it will happen to the next generation.
32:45We're seeing politicians, up-and-coming politicians,
32:49that seem to be bucking the trend.
32:51But as long as the Filipino voters learn the so-called OAP,
32:57or the Order of Attribute Preference,
33:00to choose their candidates,
33:03the media, advertising industry, and PR will keep coming out
33:09because they know that Filipinos are easy to fool.
33:13So it's a two-sided, multi-faceted problem.
33:19But this boodle operation is also a supply-demand equation.
33:23As you said, the money is too good to pass up.
33:26If no one will invest, no one will operate properly.
33:31Is that right?
33:32That's right.
33:33And again, but the money will still keep on coming
33:36if the candidates know that they need people who are good at spinning,
33:41who are good at delivering messages,
33:43in order to fool the voters.
33:46And again, I speak for my agency
33:49and we try to, as best as we can,
33:53veer away from the so-called DEAN campaigning.
33:56D-E-A-N. Delight, Entertain, Amuse, and Make Noise.
34:00It's all about balls and no substance.
34:03I'll just dance budots,
34:06or I'll just do a magic show,
34:09or I'll just get sexy girls to dance.
34:12We try to discourage that as best as we can.
34:15To do our little part at least.
34:19They say that truth in advertising should be the guide.
34:22Is that true?
34:24I cannot speak for the advertising agencies, ma'am.
34:27But again, the sad part about...
34:31Maybe my answer is a bit philosophical.
34:34A society will have a big problem
34:38when the truth becomes fluid.
34:40There has to be an absolute truth.
34:42Okay.
34:43Now for those of us who have fallen into the survey,
34:46you said that collectively,
34:49our political leaders have suffered,
34:52have declined,
34:54some bigger than others.
34:56What can you suggest?
34:58What can they do?
35:00I don't think anybody has spoken about it,
35:03that the rating has gone up,
35:06but you're right.
35:07When the rating is high,
35:09everyone is happy.
35:11What can they do as a message?
35:13And what can they promise
35:15to recover their approval and trust ratings?
35:20The best part,
35:22and this is the best part about having big data,
35:25the so-called big data is very important
35:29for comparative reasons.
35:31It's only now that we've taken advantage
35:36of that kind of technology.
35:39On the side of BBM,
35:43and VP Inday,
35:45it's so easy to take data of the past.
35:48Before the campaign,
35:50they were enjoying the highest approval ratings,
35:54highest surveys,
35:56highest support.
35:58So they'll just go back to that.
36:01All they have to do is go back to that survey
36:03and think,
36:04actually get a physical copy of that survey
36:07and think,
36:08what are we doing?
36:10How high is our popularity?
36:13What are the issues
36:15that people expect us to answer?
36:19And maybe go back to that
36:21and actually do the job.
36:23They say winning a campaign
36:25and running a government is different.
36:29Worlds apart.
36:30How about running a government?
36:33Worlds apart.
36:35And I hope,
36:36I hope that this survey,
36:38following approval ratings,
36:40I'm hoping,
36:41at least a voice in the wilderness,
36:43that this is the Filipinos coming to terms
36:46with the fact that you're right.
36:48The campaign is different,
36:49the performance is different.
36:50I hope they can see it.
36:52I hope this is a way
36:55to appeal to our halal officials
36:59that we will support you.
37:01If you didn't do what you promised in the campaign,
37:04go back to the survey.
37:05I hope so.
37:06Is it too early to ask
37:08what direction you see
37:10in the next three and a half years
37:12of the BPM admin
37:14and our high-ranking government officials?
37:18Speaker, Senate President,
37:20and Vice President.
37:22VP Nday's ratings dropped
37:26because,
37:28let's remember,
37:29the time period
37:31when the survey was taken,
37:33that was the time
37:35when she was being pushed left and right.
37:37She was pushed.
37:38How many months?
37:39Pushed is the perfect word.
37:41Remember,
37:42that was her meltdown.
37:44The so-called meltdown video
37:46that was really wow.
37:48We had seen a side of her
37:50that maybe not all people
37:52can see that
37:54outside of private settings.
37:57The learning there is,
37:59and I think,
38:01I'm not presumptuous enough
38:03to say that they had
38:05a lightbulb moment
38:07or these interviews helped
38:09or they listened.
38:11But I think even the VP
38:13and her team had a realization
38:15that wait,
38:17I think I went too far.
38:19I think I went too far.
38:21Let me walk it back
38:23a couple of kilometers back.
38:25Because when VP Sarah
38:27is witty,
38:29she can be very witty
38:31in the interviews.
38:33Friendly, charming,
38:35she channels her father.
38:37She has jokes
38:39that are
38:41a bit
38:43of a joke
38:45not so directly
38:47but it's charming, it's witty.
38:49I think that's where
38:51her sweet spot is
38:53wherein she channels her father.
38:55And the VP has a lot of problems
38:58with the 20 pesos per kilo
39:00of rice, the budget,
39:02or the 25,
39:04the West Philippine Sea.
39:06What is the movement
39:08forward?
39:10Unfortunately, President BBM
39:12is perhaps in the most,
39:14in the hottest seat
39:16before
39:18midterm
39:20election, then your rankings
39:22go down.
39:24So the President really has to do something.
39:26I think
39:28the budget is a big
39:30step towards the right direction.
39:32But it looks like he'll sign it.
39:34He said he'll sign it before the new year.
39:38If that's the only thing
39:40he can fix.
39:42The unconstitutionality
39:44of our current budget
39:46has been fixed. He has realigned
39:48the things where the
39:50people's funds should go.
39:52But we'll see in the coming days.
39:54He'll sign
39:56what I would call a strangely
39:58unconstitutional and imbalanced
40:00budget. We'll see.
40:02But I don't think he has an option.
40:04He'll just veto it per line.
40:06He won't restore or add.
40:08Something like that, right?
40:10Yes, ma'am. He can veto it per line
40:12and then Congress,
40:14ideally, should have a special session.
40:16Congressmen should have a special session.
40:18We pay a lot
40:20to the people.
40:22But voters,
40:24what is your
40:26advisory?
40:28The election is coming.
40:30There are promises that should be fulfilled.
40:32There are things
40:34that should cease fire
40:36first.
40:38There are still a lot of problems.
40:40High prices, joblessness,
40:42and poverty.
40:44I've always been consistent
40:46on three major points.
40:48I will make it very quickly.
40:50I will enumerate them very quickly.
40:52First of all,
40:54don't be thankful
40:56to God, the politician,
40:58if they return your money
41:00to you.
41:02If you're a Filipino voter,
41:04if you withdrew from the ATM machine,
41:06it would be funny
41:08if you suddenly appeared
41:10in front of the ATM,
41:12hit the ATM,
41:14clean it, and throw flowers at the ATM.
41:16Why would you do that? It's your money.
41:18That's what politicians do.
41:20So that's one.
41:22Number two,
41:24we should remember
41:26job description.
41:28They're applying for a job.
41:30If a politician is running,
41:32I'm applying to be a mayor,
41:34congressman, governor.
41:36I'm no different
41:38from a job applicant.
41:40We should know our qualifications
41:42and why we will elect them.
41:44If you're looking for a driver,
41:47the first thing
41:49you should look at
41:51is does he know how to drive?
41:53Does he know the roads?
41:55Is he a good singer?
41:57Is he good at BS?
41:59Does he have a celebrity endorser?
42:01Is he good at TikTok?
42:03I have nothing to do with that job.
42:05We should know the job description
42:07and we should know
42:09the applicant.
42:11The third message
42:13to me,
42:15as much as I can,
42:17my mini-advocacy as it were,
42:19Ma'am Maluno,
42:21is don't sell your vote.
42:23You're not just selling
42:25your vote.
42:27Politicians
42:29who buy votes
42:31want you to remain poor
42:33and depend on them
42:35because the poor voters
42:37and the hopeless voters
42:39who lose their lives
42:41are the ones who are easy to buy.
42:43That's right.
42:45We said earlier,
42:47if you sell your vote,
42:49they will also buy it from you.
42:51They will also buy it from you
42:53and you will lose a lot.
42:55If you receive Php500,
42:57believe me,
42:59you will receive Php5 million.
43:01So let's not do that.
43:03I hope we can learn everything
43:05and be vigilant because it's a new year.
43:07Let's have a new year's resolution,
43:091, 2, 3.
43:11And of course, Ma'am Maluno,
43:13let's pray to God
43:15and let's move forward
43:17as a society.
43:19Alright. Merry Christmas,
43:21Mr. Alan Germán.
43:23And Ma'am Maluno, Merry Merry Christmas
43:25to you too and have a peaceful
43:27new year.
43:29Thank you. More better days ahead
43:31for all of us, I hope.