Democracy under attack

Two years into the Duterte administration, there is a nagging question I just can’t seem to shake off. In light of the numerous upheavals rocking our country’s politics, I am often left wondering — am I the only one?

Am I the only one who thinks there are things happening in this country that endanger its hard-fought democracy?

Am I the only one who trembles while contemplating whether the nation is going down a dark and dangerous path?

Is there anyone else who believes in the same things I believe in, and who doesn’t cringe when I publicly blurt out my opinions?

Some might tell me that, yes, there are still people out there who think like me and cherish what I also hold dear.

But at a time when the President seemingly has both Congress and the Supreme Court under his grip, it’s difficult not to feel lonely on the opposite side.

As a 17-year-old who is still unable to vote, I bear a lot of frustrations. I always get the feeling that people view me as overly opinionated, or someone who just can’t keep his mouth shut. This is why when I rant about something on Twitter, I automatically get the urge to delete it.

I think, though, that these frustrations don’t always end up being negative. They are, after all, part of what drives me to continue speaking out through writing.

Right now, two things refuse to leave my mind: the barangay elections in 2018, and the senatorial elections in 2019.

Once again, Filipinos are about to make important choices that will dictate their future. In considering this, I am writing to urge my countrymen to look back and carefully scrutinize what has transpired in the last two years.

Whether you support this administration’s policies or not, I want you to put partisanship aside to be able to see clearly and judge effectively.

We have all heard of President Duterte’s contempt for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its efforts to investigate his bloody war on drugs.

Journalists here and around the globe have reported extensively on the thousands of extrajudicial killings that have occurred — or what the police prefer to call “deaths under investigation.”

Now, simple logic would tell us that if you have nothing to hide, then you have no reason to fear. But why is our President threatening to arrest investigators from the ICC once they set foot on the country?

He has also conducted a similar feud with United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, which begs the question: Why is the President seemingly so afraid of investigation?

Another troubling act by this administration is its relentless pursuit to quash any sort of opposition to its policies. A prime example is detained Sen. Leila de Lima, who fearlessly lambasted the President and his allies over the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines.

In retaliation, the administration worked furiously to discredit De Lima by filing a raft of cases against her, and even had a fake sex video played in Congress, which many viewed as sexist and inappropriate.

Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II was also photographed sending text messages and apparently conspiring with a political ally to expedite cases against another critic, Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

And, of course, there is the President’s fierce determination to get Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno impeached and out of his way.

With Congress pretty much ready to do the President’s bidding, the pessimistic thinker in me can’t help but assume that her impeachment is already in the bag.

Unfortunately, the quest to eliminate opposition has reached even the media. The President himself once threatened to deny ABS-CBN’s application to renew its license, while Rappler was almost forced to close down and set up shop only as a blogging outfit.

All of these are partly attributed to the two news organizations’ unflattering coverage of the Duterte administration.

Third and no less unsettling is the administration’s penchant for spreading false information.

Case in point: Communications Undersecretary Mocha Uson. Some say criticizing her only makes her more famous and her antics more widespread, but I simply can’t turn a blind eye as people are misled and made utter fools of themselves by her constant lying.

I firmly believe that truth is what keeps the flame of democracy alive. If people from our own government are the perpetrators of fake news themselves, Filipinos would be better off not trusting their officials.

Now, I am sure that highlighting these things will again spark anger among the President’s avid supporters.

Yes, I agree that this administration has also done good things. But, frankly, when you say nothing as people are gunned down in the streets, and you even cheer those killings yourself, or when you try to take down every single person who opposes government policies regardless of their valid concerns, those so-called accomplishments can be easily negated.

I urge every Filipino to realize that what is happening today cannot be considered normal in a true democratic society. There are forces working covertly to dismantle our rights and liberties little by little.

As we approach two crucial elections, it’s important to recognize the impact our choices will make on our lives and democratic space now more than ever.

In an interview on CNN, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright included the Philippines on a list of countries where, she said, fascism is starting to rear its ugly head.

Will we let ourselves be dragged down this dark path, or

finally make a stand? Democracy is under attack, and dictatorship may be knocking on our doors once again. We must wake up before it’s too late.

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Enzo Miguel Malonzo de Borja, 17, is a Grade 12 student at  Pasig Catholic College.