The events of 2016 have gripped the entire Filipino people and thus affected them deeply. Initially it seems to be like a dream that out of misery, hopelessness, division brought by the past administration comes a time to revive a sense of greatness and of rebuilding a community. That the left and right almost "united" out of utter disgust and of sheer hopes that "change" as coming after the "yellow" tragic events of Mamasapano, Kidapawan Massacre, the pork barrel scam, and others one would seemingly think this shattered the "yellow magic" of 2010.
However, this unity was way far from the usual civic awareness. Basing on comments from social media sites, those fanatically supporting Duterte demand something radical within the government, that of a revolutionary situation to restore greatness- that even shared from a disgruntled activist yearning for reform to that of a soldier wanting restoration of order.
But today, this enthusiasm has lessened, if not seeing reform as way far from what radicals wished but that of a continuity-wanting conservative, otherwise, that change under Duterte isn't really change after all. Let alone a continuity of past administrations' policies and programs, rephrased, reinterpreted to show less similarities; yet the essence remains the same, that of benefiting the ruling order than those of the folk who voted for him. Looking at comments supporters may have appreciated those programs two and fro, be it free education and affordable healthcare, new and dynamic infrastructure, attempts in building peace with Moros, the continuity of cash transfer programs, never ending promise of land reform, tourism development, and labour policies. Yet, no matter this country experienced this "unity of spirit" as shown by numerous feats and in the exhilaration of the comments brought by the apologists, this "change" can also produce slag, from which it must be removed.
Furthermore, as those feats are being praised two and fro by his supporters, these are nothing compared to this pet agenda Duterte wanted so much- that of war on drugs and his perchance for paramilitarism on the guise of "peace and order".
The operations "Tokhang" and "Double Barrel", no matter how it was controversial due to extrajudicial killings, was considered Duterte's major feat in curbing drug abuse if not an example of the regime's brand of orderism. Even the battle of Marawi itself became controversial as Duterte himself, contrary to the promise of bringing residents to their homes after the war, decided to build a new military base in the heart of the the city- making displaced residents stir dissent. Not surprising if his perchance for order became a ruse for exploiters to do dirty work especially against the poor and those dissenting against unjust policies. Corruption remained a major issue no matter how Duterte purged officials implicated in unlawful activities such as those from the Customs Bureau, while the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation remained a milking cow for its administrators. The latter, sadly to say became an object of criticism that even allies of the administration admitted that it failed to control- is it simply because there are those who strongly supporting Duterte and even funding him? This corruption, whether this comes from the bureaucrat or from the despotic landlord who even wielding political power as the economic just to upheld their interests, has also proven how this change be tarnished, produces slags from which it must be removed.
And since Duterte first and foremost sworn to upheld the order, comes a contradiction especially when his supporters demand for 'radical change' be it legal as 'charter change' to those of extralegal means through a 'revolutionary government'; sorry for the thought but contrary to those supporter's yearning for change, Duterte's treatment of "reform" isn't driven by the idea of dismantling the old social order but to consolidate it, substituting one for another. He may have disdain with the old rich, but this doesn't mean he cannot accommodate those from the old rich willing to support him. He did forced small-timers like Wungchuking of Mighty Corporation to pay their taxes in full yet mum when it comes to bigwigs like Lucio Tan and end settled for a half. In the case of stripping ABS CBN the right to use its frequency, supporters described it as a part of his battle against the 'oligarchs' while on the other hand Duterte quickly defended ]the 'rights' of the landlords such as the Lorenzos of Lapanday, in exploiting the farmworkers from their heavily-policed banana plantations. Duterte and his supports claims his development did benefited his people, even it requires paying trillion-peso loans from China and other moneylenders.
Yet still people failed to see in it, except of course, what is shown in the news and how their idol ranted against the "oligarchs" and purges corrupt bureaucrats. These can be miniscule compared to the reports the administration tries to cover, negate, or simply not to broadcast at all. Not even wondering why Duterte himself who from the start promised to promote transparency with his "freedom of information" doesn't want to show his "Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth" on the other out of fear people will ridicule and dismiss him as corrupt- hence, he himself can be a slag pretending to be an iron.
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Speaking of the press and expression, be it radio, television, to those of the internet and social media, should be more than just informing, but that of seeking truth from facts. And knowing that the regime "tried its best to upheld civil rights", then mass media will always serve as a watchdog of the folk to inform the government about the inconveniences, and where transgressions are committed against demcoracy and the rule of law. However, the present administration, like those of its predecessors, tries to show to the folk on their side if not to rally under their flag- yes, especially in a time people gone weary or concerned about recent events. But no matter how they trying to air their side yet with slander and bullshit, no matter how well organized, can never be a substitute for this responsibility of the press. Not surprising if those who expose the inconveniences brought by the order are being accused of sowing disunity, like ABS CBN who end stripped out of their radio and Television frequencies by the authorities. Again, apologists claim it as a "victory over the 'oligarchs'" with Duterte himself trying to placate the folk that this has nothing to do with hindering the right to press, speech, and expression.
But this doesn't stop the concerned in claiming that civil rights and freedoms is threatened by the order's intervention both by authorities coercion and its supporter's bullshit. But on the other hand, expect the order would accept the openness of this remarks that the government can afford to allow a discussion of the burning questions of the nation. The only ones who have earned the right to enter this debate, however, are those who have put themselves at the side of the administration, and its efforts without reservation and have proven their loyalty. Not surprising if they "able to seek truth from facts", but given their rabid loyalties, their "truth" is but a distortion meant to rally people on their side especially in the face of criticism- that their perception of progress was just amidst the reality of social injustice and uneven development benefiting both multinational moneylenders, rural and urban "oligarchs", and of the corrupt bureaucrats. For instance, the "Build Build Build" program wasn't from Duterte alone, but carryovers from past administrations, and funded by international moneylenders; worse, some of which end marred by corruption as in the past, that for the administration admits that it failed to stop.
This note may find it unsurprised if those who supported Duterte in a fanatical way realised their "mistake" of supporting him. Ever since they're attached to news favourable to their idol and eschewing "seeking truth from facts", it is unsurprising that they chose to set aside or omit the reality that the Filipino still wallows in poverty, trying to deal with corruption, experiencing fear brought by injustice, yet hidden within layers of “development” and “progress” that’s promoted by the administration and its well-oiled propaganda machine. It is also unsurprising that a growing number of folks starting to get concerned as they “seek truth from facts” and realise how the country, behind this developmental façade lies the reality of stagnation- that every bridge, road being built by loans doesn’t end the hunger of the folk and the negligence of their communities, but instead raking profits for the fat cats in the government and in the bourse.
Expect apologists of the order claiming that press freedom exists despite numerous threats and slander towards those who seek truth from facts. Their idol may have admitted corruption still prevailed amidst reports exposing one department after another having officials doing illegal activities. But, the presidential statement and those of his supporters are not substitutes for truth, for the fact that they are those who have put themselves at the service of orderism and its efforts without reservation and thus have proven their loyalty. But, for the sake of having a "democratic space", it did allow a discussion of the burning questions of the nation, if not debate, but again, this doesn't stop from creating slander, fear, threat by those whose "right or wrong, Duterte is still right" reflects their view.
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As the political mumbo-jumbo continues to irritate most Filipinos if not dismiss as gutter-level humor, the administration’s supporters still clinging to their “revolutionary aspirations” by insisting their idol to pursue “revolutionary means”. But this aspiration of theirs has less of a revolution and that of a counterreaction to an existing reaction: that they hated the past administration yet every economic and social policy remains as same with rephrased statements and all.
There are times that from these supporters, especially those intelligent ones, trying to present their idol as progressive if not radical-populist as its western counterparts (Putin, Trump, Erdogan, even Xi Jinping) but failing to see the reality how their idol continues the policies of his predecessors while claiming it as his contributions. Is this “revolution”? As one may think of especially when after hearing Duterte’s fiery speeches against the “oligarchs”, trying to be radical as their former “leftist friends” and yet at the same time listening to their pleas dismissing this obvious social conflict by claiming the “time of emancipation of the lowest social orders against the higher orders is past” as they downplay the revolutionary aspirations of the people.
Of course, people will claim that there’s a need for a government that truly represents the folk as a whole, and not of cliques especially those trying to run behind the scene. Duterte’s supporters, however, will distort that view of a folk community into their own perception- that of a distorted "benevolent paternalism" where Duterte is more than a head of state and government-but of a father figure who can bend laws just to "assert what is right and just" for his people. And reality shows that he can bend laws to prove he is "right" to justify his actions- that he can screw human rights just to prove he value "human lives", that his promises can be dismissed as "jokes" straight from his own mouth enough to prove by concerned folks that he really conned, fooled the community. Not surprising that his supporters seriously belittle concerned intellectuals as Duterte dismiss the arbitral win versus China as a "piece of paper", if not hearing an official lambasting scientists after latter disagreeing with the government-sponsored "dolomite beach project" in Manila Bay. Such bullshit has turned their idealised volksgemeinschaft into hell enough 'till to conclude that popular sovereignty as a failure in favour of Duterte's distorted Fuhrerprinzip. "No to Democracy, Yes to Duterte" as Michael Monteroso said in his social media post- and this shows how he, being a rabid supporter like the others, is willing to eschew democratic processes, civil rights and liberties, just to assert an order Duterte wanted.
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Perhaps, as time goes by, with changing stances and antics, the events brought by the Duterte administration has showed a Filipino-style dictablanda in which civil liberties are allegedly trying to be preserved rather than destroyed. Right was Washington SyCip that there's nothing wrong in having a dictator, probably because he was looking for a benevolent despot in a fashion of Lee Kwan Yew or Lord Maclehose, trying to create an atmosphere of discipline and tempered with compassion/or mercy. However, this trying to maintain a democratic atmosphere while acting obviously despotic doesn't mean Duterte truly tolerated these liberties, but rather a chance to "root out and destroy" by any means from trumped-up charges to propaganda.
But did that dictablanda removed the corrupt within the ranks? Not even despite televised threats and purges, but instead sidelined those who are concerned about what goes on under the administration- that of replacing sound reformists with jokers claiming to be as patriotic as their idol. Three years ago, this writer wrote thoughts about "Reformist Orderism" after people wanting the administration to pursue reforms evenly while at the same time praising his brand of order. Maybe because they wished to see the government acting as an arbiter between the haves and the have-nots, the idea of having a "responsible government" via "orderism" that's "capable of making reforms" seemingly possible such as under Duterte himself.
But, despite favouring both reform and order this doesn't tantamount to making major changes except those of consolidation- that labour reforms doesn't mean the worker guarantees more. "The important is to placate them" as one may think of, especially when those who suddenly spoke of aren't really driven by the people supposed to be benefiting but instead to the very order that wants to "shut up" the ones demanding for it. Imagine how the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program end benefiting landowners by watering it down for their interests while presenting it as for the landless farmers and needy farmworkers. Promises of "Freedom of Information" rather end treated as propaganda ploy while treating seriously the provisions of "Anti-Cybercrime Law" to threaten the opposition.
After all, the phrase “men make history,” has frequently been misunderstood as well. Marcos himself tried to be like Quezon, a benevolent despot who tries to "avert the revolt of the poor" by both hard discipline and benevolent reforms. Duterte tried to be like Marcos as his apologists presented him as a benevolent despot; but his "gutter frankness" prevails over "decent reason"- to which his supporters praised his antics as "unpretentious". Undersecretary Antiporda's memo in the "Department of Environment and Natural Resources" attempting to prohibit employees from posting criticisms against the government even shows an attempt to dissuade promoting civil liberties such as freedom of speech and expression- which is the least "democratic" kind of thing on can imagine- especially for a rabid Duterte supporter who trying to profess national unity by uniting under his idol Duterte.
But national unity doesn't mean supporting Duterte "right or wrong"! National unity shouldn't even be treated as a totem pole as what tyrants do to its subjects to justify silence and obedience. People demand a "unity" that's a communitarian, if not a collective sense than that goddamned narcissism the order and its apologists showeth. And no matter how apologists like Antiporda, Uson, or Tiglao trying to beautify their idol's image, truth is that great men are not made by obviously propaganda feats, but rather grow through their deeds and recognized by society and history- and that is way far from what their idol shows. His "build build build" and various programs cannot outweigh the bloodstained actions of Tokhang and Double Barrel, his rants in the media, and the like. And if his supporters demand for a "revolution", that "revolution" of theirs, obviously a counterreaction, cannot emancipate themselves against their higher orders that Duterte himself sworn to protect and upheld. They would try to make the state as the center of rule for the entire folk, if not trying to encompasses the whole of the folk, as it tries to reject any special claim from an entrenched sector, estate, or class.
But no! That state of theirs they envision can become if not really, a tyranny trying to trample people's freedom in the name of "order". Duterte's tirades and actions, pretending to be that of making change, can never be an outcome of genuine, responsible leadership that promises changes to its folk, let alone being a boss to its subjects. It cannot be a "revolt of the poor" as what Marcos loyalists envisions- to which instead of supporting them rather controlling them using the state as an arbiter than a leader in its quest to overhaul the society from its systemic squalor. And no matter how they detest the "oligarchs" as they claim of, reality becomes otherwise-unless they're willing to spark a ricefield fire and fan it over even it hurts themselves.
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Now, as the regime comes to its final months, expect those who are loyal to him insist his actions as necessary, sort of a "Duterte, Right or Wrong" kind of statement if not out and out remorseless in supporting their bloodied idol. These self-proclaimed "revolutionaries" will keep on insisting their idol that a "revolutionary government" as what the nation needs, aside from urging to vote their idol's successor and its coalition in the ballot box. Otherwise, "their ideas can't not conceal the fact that the one who threatens with the firing squad is the one who is most likely to come under the same tool as their idol threatens its enemies." Duterte almost united the people left and right, but given his actions, his unity turns out to be a mockery of it- he sidelined those who concerned about the people (Taguiwalo, Mariano, Lopez...), making jokes out of pressing issues (such as gasoline for a disinfectant), even made fools out of those who promised a "comfortable life for all" as forced evictions prevail over those of "no relocation without proper location" if not the familiar "jetski" promise that turns out to be a ruse as Duterte himself chose to remain vassal of both realms- that of Uncle Sam and Fu Manchu!
And to think that as people increasingly "seeking truths from facts", it becomes a duty for them to resist. For in a country where Social Justice being trampled; and officials desiring peace that’s of the grave and in utter silence; of thugs "defending rule of law" glorifying their gore despite promises of "healing the wounds" of social conflicts; of institutions silenced with truncheons if not seeing those preferring to hide the truth if not misrepresent it- then expect a future those rulers wants to decide a country's fate behind the back of its subjects, especially in a state that claims itself democratic and republican, and yet its truth as obviously tyrannical, hypocritical.
Since there are those who still cling to the view that Duterte can bring changes, of reforms, then this reminds of a phase where the once idealistic Ibarras turned into Señor Pastas, who chose to pretend ignorance as if to show they had nothing to do with childish matters. Their idol himself be that way, that while assuming to be that of a reformist, or a revolutionary, he rather pretend ignorance/aloof as he prefers dealing with his pet agendas. His promises are rather treated as empty rhetorics if not jokes of course, as opposed to his much-focused controversial acts like Oplan Tokhang. The passage of the Anti Terrorism act, claiming to be that of uphelding democracy, brought harm than good, and now in this battle against the pandemic, their actions, being politicised and too focused on his "desire for order through fear", has brought harm than good to its subjects. But again, these apologists will insist how good their idol is, if not provoke critics with insult, slander, even threat as more and more people chose to fight back for justice, for they know that the government is well informed on all the self-interest, lack of character, want over truth, unchivalrous conduct, and arrogance trying to rear its head under cover of "change".
