President Marcos has recently appointed Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon as the presidential adviser for poverty alleviation. This decision has been met with significant public criticism, but there may be a more strategic motive behind the appointment. One possibility is that it serves as a “demand management” tactic, deflecting pressure from supporters of the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam who are seeking government positions after the ban period. By sacrificing someone who may appear undeserving to the public, President Marcos could alleviate the lingering pressure.
Of the candidates who lost the Senate race, Mr. Marcos has already appointed Gibo Teodoro, leaving Herbert Bautista, Harry Roque, and Gadon still without government positions. There may be other hopefuls as well, considering the wide field of possibilities. Some UniTeam supporters, like actress Elizabeth Oropesa, feel slighted by the lack of appointments despite their years of support for Mr. Marcos.
Interestingly, former president Rodrigo Duterte declined the role of drug czar but seems interested in becoming an adviser, particularly on US-Philippines-China relations. This raises questions about his motivations and intentions in joining the Marcos administration.
Gadon’s defense of his appointment has only further incriminated himself. In a recent podcast interview, he became defensive when questioned about his expected salary, boasting about his wealth and assets. He even stated that he doesn’t need to be a lawyer because his current business transactions earn him far more. It is concerning that he lacks a perspective on poverty alleviation and is awaiting explicit orders from the President to define his role. This shows a lack of preparedness and raises doubts about his suitability for the position.
If President Marcos truly wanted to shield Gadon from criticism, he could have given him a title that obfuscates his actual role. However, controversial appointments are not unique to this administration. Previous presidents like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III also faced criticism for their appointments. The case of Maria Lourdes Sereno, the first woman chief justice in Southeast Asia, stands out due to her subsequent removal by the Supreme Court after criticizing the war on drugs.
Considering all these factors, it is possible that President Marcos is using Gadon’s appointment as a way to expand the pool of potential appointees, especially those who are hesitant to join the administration. Perhaps his upcoming State of the Nation Address and new appointments will provide more insights into his strategy.
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