Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has called on government agencies to remain transparent to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. saying providing real-time assessments are crucial in dealing with the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Ejercito warned that the global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran are already threatening a spike in the cost of basic goods and fuel and this could trigger another hike on transport costs, food and other essential commodities.

“(There should be) no sugar coating of reports to PBBM. Hindi PR ang kailangan sa gitna ng krisis kundi katotohanan (We don’t need public relations stunt in the midst of crisis but truth),” Ejercito said in a statement on Tuesday, April 7.

“Sa ganitong krisis, hindi puwedeng minamaliit o pinapaganda ang ulat. Kailangan malaman ng Pangulo ang buong katotohanan dahil bawat maling impormasyon, maling desisyon ang kapalit (In this crisis, reports cannot be downplayed or embellished. The President needs to know the whole truth because every wrong information leads to a wrong decision),” the lawmaker further said.

More often, Ejercito said delays and gaps in respose is due to incomplete or overly optimistic reporting, and this could hinder timely government action.

The senator pointed out that as oil prices rise, it would create a domino effect, eventually increasing transport fares, prices of food and other basic goods.

“Sa huli, ang mamamayan na naman ang direktang naaapektuhan (In the end, the people are the ones directly affected),” he stressed.

That is why, he said, it is important for department officials to provide accurate, ground-level information, especially as the country braces for potential inflationary pressures.

The senator further clarified that his remarks are constructive criticism to help strengthen the government’s response to the crisis.

“Ang tunay na may malasakit sasabihin ang totoo, kahit hindi man ito maganda sa pandinig (A truly caring person will tell the truth, even if it doesn't feel good to hear),” Ejercito pointed out.

“Objective at constructive criticism ito. Hindi tayo naninisi pero hindi rin tayo pwedeng magbulag-bulagan. Ang unang hakbang sa solusyon ay ang pag-amin sa problema (This is objective and constructive criticism. We are not blaming, but we cannot turn a blind eye either. The first step to the solution is to admit the problem),” he reiterated.

“Kung kulang o mali ang datos na umaabot sa Pangulo, paano tayo makakagawa ng tamang solusyon? Sa ganitong panahon, hindi pwede ang guesswork, dapat facts (f the data reaching the President is lacking or incorrect, how can we come up with the right solution? In times like these, guesswork is not possible, it should be factual),” he stressed.