Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (left) and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook)



Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. has hailed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for being "humble enough" to give himself an "incomplete" grade for his maiden year in Malacañang. "I like how the President carries himself," Barzaga, a member of the House majority bloc, said in a statement Sunday, July 2. Marcos had just marked his first year in office on June 30, 2023. The paved the way for pundits and personalities to "grade" him on his performance in year one of his presidency. Barzaga said of Marcos, "He was humble enoough to give himself an 'incomplete' grade in his first year while being firm in saying that it's best to take things in stride as the country is getting back on its feet post-pandemic." The veteran congressman said that Marcos has been a "consummate professional who has never let emotions get the better of him". Barzaga further praised the Chief Executive for restoring decency in public office, pointing out that the latter "has always comported himself with dignity, exuding confidence." But as far as the President’s actual work is concerned, the Cavite solon has described it as "impressive" thus far. Barzaga cited as one of the huge accomplishments of the administration the further slowing down of headline inflation rates to 6.1 percent last May. He also noted that the economy grew by 7.6 percent and 7.2 percent in the third and fourth quarters of 2022 and 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023 which is well within the government’s target. "The Marcos Jr. administration is doing something right. We just have to remain on track and ensure that this growth is trickling down to the grassroots level," Barzaga said. The senior National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart said the President has also helped the country regain respect in the international community, especially since he, being a Marcos, is a household name. He said Marcos promoted the country as an investment destination in his foreign trips, where he also forged closer diplomatic and economic ties with other nations, especially the United States.