Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Now that the dust of the recent elections has settled, it’s time to speak plainly: Senator Bong Go’s political career has been propped up not by the strength of transformative legislation or authentic grassroots leadership — but by a calculated campaign of epalism, misinformation, and exploitation of public service systems meant to serve the people, not a politician’s ambitions.
One glaring example is his proposed livelihood card, supposedly meant to streamline access to government aid and promote economic opportunities. On the surface, it may sound noble — but peel back the layers and the pattern becomes evident. This card is just another iteration of a long-running strategy: slap Bong Go’s name on essential services to boost his visibility among the masses, particularly the vulnerable.
From Malasakit to Misleading
Before this card proposal, Bong Go had already perfected the art of self-promotion through the Malasakit Centers — medical assistance hubs funded by taxpayer money. While these centers were created through a multi-agency effort and eventually institutionalized by law, the public was led to believe — thanks to persistent branding and misleading promotions — that the Malasakit Centers were solely his brainchild.
That misinformation worked to his advantage.
Media appearances, tarpaulins, and speeches often reinforced the false narrative that Bong Go was the architect and lone benefactor of these centers. In reality, these centers were built from public funds and were part of a broader inter-agency initiative. But the damage was done: the masses associated the service with the man, and Bong Go reaped the electoral rewards.
A Card for the Poor, or a Card for Political Gain?
The proposed livelihood card, like the Malasakit Centers, is a textbook case of manipulating public perception. Government agencies such as the DSWD, DTI, and PhilSys already have data systems and mechanisms in place for identifying and assisting the poor. There is no urgent need for an additional card — unless, of course, the true purpose is to create another avenue for name recall.
These efforts are not about better service delivery. They are about better political branding.
And with the recent elections behind us, it's clearer than ever how these tactics were used to secure votes. Bong Go may not have topped the race, but he certainly prolonged his political survival through a sustained campaign of visibility disguised as service.
The Cost of Misinformation
What’s more disturbing is how misinformation was allowed to fester. The belief that Malasakit Centers were Bong Go’s personal gift to the people was never corrected — not by him, not by his allies, and certainly not by those who stood to benefit from his continued rise. This eroded the distinction between public service and political propaganda.
By taking credit for what is rightfully a government initiative, Bong Go blurred the line between servant and savior. And the people, desperate for aid, were misled into thinking they owed their medical support not to their taxes and institutions — but to one politician.
The Public Deserves Transparency, Not Tricks
The Filipino people have long suffered from politicians who exploit poverty for power. The practice of turning every relief good, every government program, and every center of aid into a campaign poster must end. Bong Go’s card proposal should be seen for what it is: an unnecessary, redundant, and politically motivated ploy.
Public service is not a favor. It is a duty. And it must never be used as a platform for deception.
Now that the elections are over, let this be a wake-up call. The next time a politician hands you a card, a bag of rice, or a branded health center, ask: who really paid for this? The answer, more often than not, is you.
No more cards. No more deception. The Filipino public deserves honesty — not illusions.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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