President Duterte asked his critics in his latest public address: “Ano ang nagawa ninyo para sa bayan? Pag sinabi ninyo ako, wala. Eh kayo? What have you done for the country except talk and criticize and talk?” He has apparently contracted the same malady that has afflicted his apologists, as he is now mouthing the same nonsensical arguments his sycophants espouse.
The fanatical defense of Mr. Duterte’s loyalists over his inept response to and handling of the COVID-19 crisis is more dreadfully contagious than the disease. It is so sickening and revolting that their resorting to ad hominem and non sequitur arguments leave no room for intelligent and reasonable discourse. They equate criticism and dissent to lack of love for country, as though patriotism is solely measured by silence, blind submission, and subservience.
Just like the President, one inane and nonsensical script they’re spinning now on social media is this: “Before you say something foolish about him, ask yourself what did you do to help?”
To this I have an answer. I call out the wrongdoings. This is my contribution to nation-building. I am not obliged to heap praises on the President when he does good, because that is what is expected of him as a leader and that is what he promised and swore to do.
How can we become a great nation if he sheepishly acquiesces to a bully nation like China and allows our islands to be grabbed? Where is greatness when Chinese nationals boldly spit on our dignity in our own land because the President protects them more and sides with them even if Philippine offshore gaming operators do not really bring economic gain to the country?
How do I help? By refusing to swallow the dirt he throws upon this nation and by not becoming a blind, rabid apologist and defender of a populist. By refusing to take the hatred and bile he spews upon those who don’t agree with him. By refusing to take his false bravado about making corrupt officials accountable while he has yet to jail anyone, not even one, of his appointees who have been exposed as corrupt. By not being taken for a ride when he lashes out at “oligarchs,” when his oligarch friends expand their turfs. As long as he wantonly disregards lives and looks at those who criticize him as lower beings and not deserving to live, I will rise and speak up. That is what I am doing to be of help.
PACIFICO VEREMUNDO
pveremundo@yahoo.com