Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — No stamp of approval for the Marcos administration’s new governance brand, as far as the Senate minority is concerned.
Over the weekend, the Palace launched the \”Bagong Pilipinas\” branding and communications strategy complete with a Philippine flag-inspired logo.
Asked about this, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel responded with a play on the words \”logo\” and \”low governance.\”
“Logo-vernance na lang ba tayo ngayon? (Are we under logo-vernance?)” Pimentel said in a text message.
His deputy, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, said the administration has made no significant change in the country to warrant a rebranding. She called it \”overpromising,\” while she said the Marcos government has \” underdelivered.\”
\”Hindi slogan ang kailangan natin. Ang makatutulong talaga ay honest to goodness na pag-size up sa sitwasyon natin,\” Hontiveros said.
“Actually, hindi ko naman binabawi sa kanila kahit mag-slogan sila kahit ngayon. Sana ‘yung realistic naman, medyo mas modest ng konti, lalo kung ‘yung grade sa unang taon ay incomplete…Overpromising na naman eh underdelivering na nga hanggang sa ngayon,” she added.
[Translation: I’m not taking away their desire for a slogan. But it should at least be realistic, a bit more modest, especially if their grade for themselves for the first year is incomplete. They’re overpromising again but underdelivering until now.]
Hontiveros also found it repulsive that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. chose \”Bagong Pilipinas\”, a slogan inspired by the \”Bagong Lipunan\” theme associated with his father’s martial law regime.
Other senators from the majority approved of the new brand, with Senator Chiz Escudero even calling it \”inspiring,\” saying it signals a \”new beginning.\”
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also expressed full support for the administration.
