Dark clouds in the sky

I just realized it’s already mid-October. Normally, this time marks the start of the most joyful part of the year, as Filipinos gear up for the Christmas season. Christmas decorations would already be up, and malls and stores would be filled with the sound of carols. Yet somehow, this year feels different, and I hope I’m part of a very small minority feeling this way.

There’s a heaviness in the air, noticeable because it contrasts so starkly with the usual light and festive Christmas atmosphere that lifts the Filipino spirit. While this heaviness doesn’t seem strong enough to completely dampen the season’s cheer, it’s not something that can easily be ignored either.

Dominating the Philippine scene are the political intramurals between the Marcos and Duterte camps. If ever there was a prime example of a power struggle, this is it. Politics in the country have always been contentious, especially around elections, but this time feels different. It’s no longer just political rivalry—it’s starting to resemble a dangerous gang war.

What makes the Marcos-Duterte clash different from past political battles? At its core, the motives remain the same: the pursuit of power and wealth. But the scale of that power and the magnitude of the wealth involved are unprecedented. This isn’t just about influence—it’s a struggle for total control and the vast riches that come with it.

The guardrails are gone. In the past, there were cultural and ethical boundaries that politics, guided by values like faith and decency, rarely crossed. Now, those walls have crumbled. Power and money have become the new deities Filipinos seem to worship.

Do I sound harsh? Perhaps. But I don’t think I’m overstating things. I want to strip away the glitter and confront the raw truth head-on so we can address it more clearly.

Consider the dilemma faced by the average Filipino. Faced with losing their livelihood or seeing their business go under by resisting the demands of those who hold immense power and wealth, who wouldn’t give in? Who would choose to sacrifice everything—freedom, dignity—for the sake of higher values?

Let’s start with those who hold little power and wealth—the millions of ordinary Filipinos struggling to survive. For food, for jobs, wouldn’t they be tempted to compromise the values we claim to hold dear?

Now look at the very top—the elite few controlling billions, holding positions of influence but still vulnerable to the wrath of those with even greater power. To protect their status, their businesses, would they not also bend and compromise?

And what lies between the extremes is largely the same, differing only in the intensity of people’s needs, fears, and insecurities.

Are there exceptions? Of course. There are individuals willing to risk their material comfort, career, or business rather than compromise their values and political standards. However, I must admit, I don’t see enough of them angry enough to raise their voices and take a stand.

Two groups, on opposite ends of the age spectrum, have less fear and pressure, though for different reasons. The larger group consists of

young Filipinos who are preoccupied with school or simply enjoying their youth. The smaller group is made up of senior citizens, particularly the elderly among them, who, having gained wisdom with age, quietly accept that their time is limited, and their energies are waning. They fear less, but they also have less influence.

Our system of government relies on the majority, who express their will through the leaders they elect. No matter what we think about the quality of leadership—or the lack thereof—it matters little when we are in the minority. Ultimately, it is the majority of Filipino citizens whose voices must be heard through their votes.

But for those who wish for honest, efficient governance and elections free from vote-buying, the challenge doesn’t end with casting a vote. It extends to ensuring an accurate and transparent vote count. Unfortunately, the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) stance, in light of the serious

accusations surrounding the 2022 presidential election, does little to inspire confidence.

There is a momentum for change, driven by ongoing Senate and

congressional investigations, which have surprised even the most skeptical Filipinos. However, this momentum is still not enough. It’s a promising start, but it needs to grow into a tidal wave before it can jolt Filipinos out of their habitual passivity. Disruptive change does not come from political partisanship but from a heightened awareness and collective will for transformative change.

As the saying goes, “Man proposes, God disposes.” Life, being greater than man, remains ultimately unpredictable. I can only observe and assess what is in front of me, just as you, and they, can. We are all finite. The sum of human desires, opinions, and actions cannot create change without the participation of the broader forces of nature. Who can say what the future holds?

For most Filipinos, who can only watch the bitter dynamics of political battles unfold, we must still prepare for a potentially tumultuous Christmas season. The Christmas spirit won’t be defeated, but it may be deflated. As we witness the powerful and wealthy clash, we must be careful not to get caught in the crossfire—until we realize that we, too, can become players of consequence.

Because one day, we will have to choose a new path if we do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. Without that choice, there will be no meaningful change, only guaranteed decline. Life cannot remain stagnant; it will inevitably move in one direction or another. In the end, the choice is ours— if we come together as a collective force.