Mr. Cacanindin is one of the sober voices from the kakampink and yellow crowd. He posted on Facebook: “Before anything, please know this is coming from a place of love, even though it may sting to some. But we’ll take that chance if only to point out something that often feels quite not right. See, we cringe a little when we hear, ‘We criticize our own because we’re not like DDS. We’re not fanatics.’”
“On the surface, it sounds right. And for the most part, maybe it is. Because of course we should criticize our own leaders. We shouldn’t of course be blind followers. That’s basic democracy, and it perfectly makes sense. But something about the way it’s framed feels off. Because the point shouldn’t be that we’re ‘not like them.’ The point should be that accountability is nonnegotiable, period. Even if DDS didn’t exist, that standard should still stand.
“When criticism becomes a way to signal, ‘See? We’re smarter. We’re more evolved,’ or something to that effect, it starts to feel less like principle and more like identity branding. Because the thing is, any group can become tribal. Even groups that pride themselves on not being tribal. Crazy, right? But it’s true. Because the moment you believe your side is automatically more rational, that’s when blind spots creep in.
“Real accountability isn’t supposed to be loud. And neither should it be a badge you wear or something you announce to prove moral superiority. You can question your leaders without turning it into a performance or disagree without trying to prove you’re the enlightened one in the room. Maybe what bothers me isn’t the criticism but it’s when criticism becomes about us instead of about the country. Because the goal isn’t to be ‘better than anyone else.’ The goal is to build something better than personality politics. And that requires less ego and more self-awareness.”
I agree. Is an election campaign a test of moral purity, or more like a game of political strategy? What benefits a group that crows about its nobility of purpose if it remains an echo chamber composed of the middle class, the educated and the urban-based? I’ve seen people from this camp talk down to the poor in a tone filled with condescension. How can you convert them to your cause if you constantly look down on them?
Lawyer Mel Santamaria is the former Ateneo College of Law dean and now dean of the College of Law of Far Eastern University. He was the host of a very popular and influential legal advice show on Radyo 5 which ran for almost 10 years, and was a former host of his own TV talk show on Cignal TV.
Without blinking, he is pushing for the candidacy of Sen. Raffy Tulfo as president of the country. In a Facebook post, he said: “Sen. Raffy Tulfo is the best candidate for the presidency. If he runs, he will win [in the] 2028 presidential election. With 30,000,000 subscribers in his YouTube channel that can translate to votes (in fact, even if only half of it translates to votes), by being visible every day due to his high-rating TV show, ‘Wanted sa Radyo,’ with absolutely no record of corruption, his no-nonsense persona built over the years capable of solving problems brought to him, his tough-guy personality, his smart and commonsense attitude, he will surely win the election.
“Many people are so mentally-fatigued with Sara Duterte. Mayor Leni Robredo has no resolve to run, and her mind seems to be parochial. Risa Hontiveros at the moment does not seem to still have that X-factor. Bam Aquino has announced that he is not interested in running. Raffy Tulfo is the best candidate. He has been a good friend, and I know he loves this country. He has proven he can get along well with anyone. He does not owe any political favor from anybody.
“Many times, many of the so-called elite and ‘intelligentsia’ tend to look down at and condescend to him. But they do not know him. When I say that he is the best candidate, many tell me I am biased because he is a good friend. Some even say that I am shallow. Some even laugh and say that I’ve lost my credibility. I say, so what?!
“He is a very good organizer. I know that if he wins, he can build a Cabinet that will be loyal and will have the courage to tell him the other side of any issue. He listens; he executes. With the presence of good advisers in matters of law, jurisprudence, economics, military, foreign affairs and public policy around him, he can be one of the greatest presidents that the Philippines may produce.
“For now, I will go for Senator Raffy. He is the third force. Today, there is no unified opposition against the front-runner... To all, I just want to say: Do not close your mind.”
Like Dean Mel Sta. Maria, I also worked with Sen. Raffy Tulfo for close to 10 years when I was at TV5, Aksyon TV and Radyo 5. He was organized, efficient and delivered the goods. Some people swiftly chastised Dean Mel and said that his choice of Senator Raffy is only based on popularity, and that he is angling for the post of Secretary of Justice. But who will people choose to fight the blitzkrieg that is Sara Duterte?
The only thing lacking for Senator Raffy would be a political machinery that will ensure the votes down to the level of the towns and the barangay.
And we’re not yet even talking about the mud thrown at Sen. Bam Aquino by his allies, for his controversial comment that “ideally,” all trials on human-rights violations done during the Duterte regime should be tried in Philippine courts. He was quickly accused of pandering to the DDS, the pro-Duterte crowd, as part of his preparation for a presidential run.
As the rest of the people rouse against each other, weighing one’s moral purity and nobility of purpose, Sara Duterte has maintained her silence after declaring her intention to run. Perhaps, she is just watching her political foes lop off each other’s heads while eating popcorn and drinking soda, her steely eyes glinting with triumph.