MEDIUM RARE

After PBBM accepted the courtesy resignations of all but the economic managers of his cabinet, he’ll have to cast a wide, wide net to form a new team. No need to apply, but how’s the supply?

In a perfect Aristotelian society where truth is beauty and beauty is order, any respectable, self-respecting citizen would be free to offer their services, but will it be easy to find good — or the best – material? In another ancient civilization, China’s, applicants for the civil service were required to take a government test, the precursor of today’s civil service exams.

Where is PBBM going to find the best and the brightest for his executive team? Aside from casting his own net, he’d have to rely on recommendations made by trustworthy people.  

The private sector would be the best, if not the only source, good luck to the President’s search party: How many of the recommendees would be willing to join government service, even if the Big Boss were to invoke the patriotism factor?

There’s a huge supply of talented men and women ready to contribute treasure, time, and talent for the honor of working for the President and his country; the trick is to convince them that it is their patriotic duty to do so, even when the reality is that Mr. Marcos has only three years left to his term. Instead, or indeed, that short stint could/would make it easier for a candidate to accept the job.

Many, many years ago when Ferdinand E. Marcos was president and Bongbong was just a toddler growing up in Malacañang, a certain Mr. Racuyal made this vow to his countrymen: If he were elected to become president, he would aircondition Metro Manila by placing the city under a huge dome to keep its citizens and residents cool throughout the day and night; then the rest of the country would follow. Joke or dream? I was quite young then, but the fact that I recall his name — after all these years — must mean something. (Remind me to ask a psychiatrist.)

No one since and after Mr. Racuyal has offered any vision or plan of such outlandish proportions again, but life goes on. I hope we haven’t lost our sense of humor.