Cutting through the political drama

With all the political drama going on in the country, I urge everyone to keep their eye on the ball. Remember that the histrionics (“paukyab” is the apt Cebuano term, I think) are most likely part of a ploy to stay in people’s consciousness, grab headlines, and be talked about.

Recent election cycles in the country, amplified by the rise of social media, have evolved into a battle of image-building and propaganda, often fueled by misinformation and disinformation, along with the resources to sustain such information warfare. This is unfortunate, but for anyone in politics, it is essential to learn how to counter misinformation and disinformation rather than simply dismissing it as an unfortunate reality.

Congressional inquiries have uncovered certain truths about the previous administration’s war on drugs, its connection to POGOs, and a network of alleged anomalies and human rights violations. Undeniably, politics plays a significant role in this, and there is no solid institutional framework to ensure that it reaches a logical and just conclusion. In the end, this is a game played by the political elite, who protect their own. Only the “alipores” --including lawyers who allowed themselves to be used by these politicians-- ultimately fall by the sword.

Let us not be misled by all this political drama into thinking that the nation is in crisis or at a critical juncture. That is precisely what some politicians want you to believe, as any abrupt change or reversal of fortunes --by any means-- is what they seek, even at the expense of the nation’s mental and emotional well-being.

The matter of real consequence arises when the military acts beyond the constitutional framework. Even though former President Rodrigo Duterte denies any direct or indirect effort to persuade the military to intervene, he occasionally drops hints of his desire for the military to “correct” the situation.

The good news is that our Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) seems to have moved past the era when junior officers staged coups or disobeyed the chain of command. With the growing threat of China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea and parts of the South China Sea that infringe on our exclusive economic rights, the AFP has a stronger reason to focus on advancing as a professional organization dedicated to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. The AFP cannot afford to its waste time becoming involved in the current political drama.

The Philippine STAR reported yesterday about concerning developments in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Navy reportedly confirmed that dozens of Chinese military, coast guard, and maritime militia vessels continue to swarm and remain at Subi Reef near Pag-asa Island, which is Philippine territory. China has occupied and developed Subi Reef, constructing military facilities, including a harbor and an airstrip capable of accommodating any kind of aircraft. This is one ball we must keep our eyes on.

Another ball we must keep our eye on is the 2025 national budget. After the Senate passed its version of the national budget, it is now with the bicameral conference committee, composed of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. We must ensure that the process is transparent and guard against the insertion of allocations that do not align with the nation’s pressing needs.

Meanwhile at the local level, I have been seeing “campaign” posters of local politicians vying for elective positions in next year’s elections since last month. It’s not yet official campaign season, but since we are already here, I might as well share my two cents about these posters, particularly those that rely on drama or claims of legacy without any real or proven track record to substantiate them.

One of these posters is on a billboard along the Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue-Banilad corridor in the Cebu City North District. It features the incumbent representative of the district, who is vying for reelection. I hope people realize the irony of this large billboard as they sit stuck in heavy traffic along the overpass, while this candidate proudly advertises the legacy of her family name. I also hope voters scrutinize what politicians like this have truly accomplished in Congress or in their respective offices. What has been done to address crucial issues in the district, such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, disaster preparedness, and land tenure security for the poor?

Let’s keep our eyes on the ball and cut through this political drama and propaganda.