As the senatorial and local election campaigns nears May 12 D-Day, the political landscape is more tumultuous than ever. The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity has sparked a fervor that threatens to boil over as supporters rally around him, rallying their indignation under the banner of solidarity against the administration. With allegations ranging from inappropriate dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to shadowy figures within the current Senate bolstering Duterte’s cause, this election serves as a referendum of sorts—between nationalism and accountability, between past malfeasance and future accountability.
Much of the current political discourse resurfaces amid the shadows of the so-called “war on drugs,” an initiative that claimed reportedly 30,000 lives during Duterte’s presidency. Could it be that the ghosts of these lost souls haunt our nation’s conscience today? The revelations by the congressional quad committee reveal a disturbing trend: authorities allegedly paid a bounty for police killings while we were told they were protecting the public. Arrest warrants are poised against figures like re-electionist senator Bato de la Rosa, the very architect of Tokhang and double-barreled anti-pusher drives, which exemplified an inherent paradox designed mainly to secure power through brutality.
As petitions roll into Congress calling for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment, one cannot help but reflect on whether the sycophants of the past are merely entrenching themselves within the existing matrix of corruption. VP Sara’s dismissive claims of political harassment concerning her father further indicate an ongoing cycle of suppression that karma, hopefully, will break come election day. It’s ironic that those associated with a man once lionized for his machismo are now embroiled in threats and chaos within their former colleagues —a true testament to the personal fractured relationships that lay bare incompetence beneath the guise of national service.
Yet, amid all these dynamics, the most jarring revelation is the apparent naivety—not only of Duterte’s staunch defenders. They still cling to the illusion formed during his psychodrama-filled presidency, believing he was their savior against crime, despite the myriad collateral damage left in his wake. Yes, many rallied behind the false belief that targeting drug users and criminals alike would somehow cleanse our democracy of its stains. However, rising data supporting that victims included innocent children ought to shake one’s conviction. Also ambushed and killed in broad daylight was PCSO Board secretary and retired police general Wesley Barayuga. He was a decorated cop who belong to the PMA Matikas 1983, classmate of several AFP chiefs of staff, including National Security adviser Eduardo Año. No longer can people turn a blind eye to the kaleidoscope of human rights abuses that comprise the Duterte legacy without eventually grappling with lingering guilt.
Instead of losing themselves in fantasies of infallibility, maybe it’s time for supporters—and the apathetic populace—to realize the truth buried underneath evident contradictions. We led ourselves down a path crafted by political narratives upsettingly predicated on fear and misinformation. Claims by Duterte’s underlings thrived under strategic manipulation where millions in public funds appeared to vanish into thin air under the guise of aiding the oppressed. How do we reconcile this? With shame or with courage? The choice is ours ahead of the polls.
And let us not forget the rising tensions in the geopolitical sphere that plague our nation; issues like Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea bear relevance to our choices at the ballot box. Will we side with the BBM administration—seen as pro-American—or will we continue down the duplicative road of meek dependence on an era marked by Chinese favoritism? While the Marcos administration outwardly stands against Chinese aggression, the eerie silence from Duterte’s camp on such matters speaks volumes. Have former loyalists grown numb to the machinations of power? Or could they even betray the populace to appease their interests?
Quite alarmingly, religious blocs are flexing their significant influence in Philippine politics—came forward, insisting that all efforts to impeach VP Sara be halted. Yet, as 215 congressmen move briskly to sue her amidst looming scandal, her presidential lineage does nothing to shield her from the cost of her actions. Apparently, entrenched political warriors aren’t just passing through; they’re deeply rooted and wield influence that will carry over long after anyone leaves office.
Recent revelations of the past regime further diminishes faith in the system bound together by bloodlines, secrets, and swirling scandals. If anything, it illustrates an inconvenient truth that its abuse transcends party boundaries—weaponizing their familial ties to subvert justice while maintaining an image of invulnerability (remember Leila de Lima and others).
Reflecting back, let’s recall why Duterte captured the nation’s heart and nearly destroyed its core. He won amidst chaos, capitalizing on the struggle with drugs and criminality, presenting himself as the figure willing to “clean up” the country. But his heavy-handed tactics ultimately birthed tragedy stripped of any semblance of justice, dismantling true democratic values while espousing governance. Popularity does not equate righteousness—it merely shows how effective cynicism can be when shaping narratives.
As some cogently argue, much of the blame lies not with Duterte alone. We, the collective citizenry, failed to challenge the sustained vilification of various groups that stood against him. Allow the numbers—51% of Filipinos now advocating for his accountability—serve as an awakening echo against our culpable silence. The importance of the vote this May should not simply symbolize rejection of toxicity in leadership; it should convey loyalty to the sanctity of human rights, progress, and community-serving policies that uplift rather than destroy.
In closing, if the Filipino public chooses recklessly once again—to embrace the very dynamics that brought despair—it will be a betrayal against the progressive momentum fostered by the shared realization from Duterte’s abuses. The scars of EJKs, drug policies that neglect mental health approaches, and ignored civil rights should compel a return to reason. To those ensnared by a nostalgia invented through fear-mongering performances, I ask you: Is this what we desire moving forward?
While the specter of the return of Duterte’s regime continues to loom over us like an albatross, there remains hope in the youth, those burgeoning leaders infused with a sense of justice and urgency. It’s time we empower the younger electorate to challenge the narrative and foster the courage to voice dissent against tyranny.
As we hurry towards the impending election, we must acknowledge the brutal truths but also celebrate our resilience—the nation’s spirit that has persisted through multiple seasons of discontent and betrayal. Now is the time for clarity of vision and purpose, where we are no longer pawns in a game of power but active architects shaping a future steeped in justice and equality.
Though numerous challenges remain ahead, from the pervasive chokehold of Duterte loyalists to pressing local economies grappling with corruption and cronyism, every step toward engagement and inquiry moves us closer to forging an empowered society we can be proud of.
In conclusion, let us awaken from the hypnotic grip incurred by previous misguidance, rallying our energies towards accountability, justice, and humanitarian solidarity. The choice presents itself, a moment that will resonate years into the future—will we continue to perpetuate cycles of violence and complicity, or will we seize this moment, unite, and rise together towards a greater, brighter future?
You decide!