Scratch any cynic, said American social critic George Carlin, and you might find a disappointed idealist.
There has never been a time of more cynics or idealists- pick your preference- in the Philippines than when unspeakable corruption nearly erased the country’s moral standing from within or from without last year.
Seriously moving forward, or so it seemed, to regain it as quickly as it lost its grip on it, President Bong Bong Marcos miserably failed in his promise to put to jail before Christmas every Dick, Tom and Harry—or some of them,–bravely and confidently– who has something to do with bringing the nation so low.
What went wrong?
Well,it’s due process and democracy, stupid. One doesn’t happen o vernight while the other does. It’s why the wrong doers of the century can’t be found at home or are at large and present a different passport to galivant around mockingly. And are filthy rich, too.
In the meantime, the country is still mired in poverty while other nations – you don’t have to travel a very far model—to embrace cynicsm and idealism why they live so orderly, peacefully and progressively like it’s magic.
Truth to tell, they look up to a different deity, live in a hostile environment, have fewer natural resources and make it to a better, more modern society. As we speak, the Philippines has discovered a new gas resource to back up its energy requirement. In an ecology of fakes news, it’s like a new hope for a new year.
If anything, this better news fits the demanding agenda for the future of the Marcos administration that has fallen short of its good promise—remember 2025 and the flood control mess—and ow the second Marcos administration may fare into 2026 and beyond. 2028 seems like it’s an impossible finish line.
Are Filipinos children of a lesser god or revere a stupid one like a former president, who is now at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crime against humanity , once said at the height of his power ?
It may be too soon for the cynics or disappointed idealist. Former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. has just surrendered to police authorities on the basis of a warrant of arrest from the Sandiganbayan. He would rather prove his innocence before the court than wait for a political time to redeem his fortune. Once upon a time, he was seen as a presidential timber. Now, he’s more like a big tree cut down in the some distant forest.
Some political pundit views it as a temporary setback as a possible comeback is eyed on the restoration of the Duterte magic. On the heel of Revilla’s arrest comes the return of the former p ublic works secretary to face the music and sing an old song of denial.
There’s more to look forward to along this route, Revilla’s or Bonoan’s. More senators, congressmen, public works officials and contractors may fall by the wayside as the new Ombudsman finds its mission to do its job more challenging and rewarding to give up on.
Like China, justice in this country will win in the long run. Forget about the West Philippine Sea in the meantime. China is busy enjoying its biggest trade surplus yet. It can’t simply throw it away over the self-serving nine dash line and it’s impossible dream to take over Taiwan in 2027. There are other more forceful arguments. For one, China is losing to India as the most populous hegemon. The United States brag it can do anything. And Taiwan isn’t scared, for whatever reason. By the way, there are other Asian nations nearby racing to be the best in this century.
The search for a political glory by the young Marcos may ramp up the former’s dictator son’s actions to make his promise to jail corrupt officials this year and well before 2028. The Revilla surrender and the Bonoan show up must result in political coronation not crucifixion.
Two of the President’s valuable assets, the Remulla brothers can go a long way to make the long arm of the law work against the enemy of the state. There’ s also General Nick Torre who comes in handy if push comes to shove. The other professional generals are justice driven as well defined by strict professionalism.
Ther’s an impending impeachment plan against Marcos that is more like an idle thought. At this point, it’s a joke. A second impeachment try against the vice president is more likely. A political compromise appears to be inviting for one side or the other to simply ignore. The details are almost palpable. The atmospherics, especially the nation’s need to unite against the rapacious gangs of public works looters, demand a sense of patriotism, not simply political partisanship to prevail.
One year is a long time in politics. So is nation-building. In a sense, they’re a race against time. A simple observation of motorists behaviorand traffic problems in the city and far down the countryside is a give-away of how much we have fallen behind other nations.
The massive corruption issue cuts the cake unfairly and brutally.
Dr. Jose Rizal, in his “The Philippines A Century Hence” gave a realistic timeline of how his beloved people can recover from the vestiges of colonization and prove themselves the world can toast for their values. At one time, the people lived up to the national hero’s vision: it threw away a dictator and became a model for other races wanting democracy and freedom. The dictator’s son came back, of course,and with a vengeance. But the greatest moral corruption in this society has called for a new political glory of moral dimension for which the young Marcos must pursue , attain and inspire.
That’s the non-negotiable path of 2026.
