19/02/2026
READ:
𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙊𝙬𝙣: 𝘼 𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚-𝙐𝙥 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚
Recent political discourse has shown how quickly public officials can be criticized—not by their opponents, but by their own allies.
Senator Bam Aquino recently stated that cases involving alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) should ideally be tried in Philippine courts, emphasizing that the victims are Filipinos and that justice should be handled within the country’s judicial system.
However, some of his own allies criticized the remark, perceiving it as inconsistent with what they consider their party’s strong anti-Duterte position.
On the other hand, Pam Baricuatro faced backlash from supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte. When asked about the Vice President’s announcement of a possible presidential bid, Baricuatro responded that her focus remains on serving the people for now.
Instead of receiving praise for prioritizing governance, she was criticized by some Duterte supporters who expected her to publicly and explicitly declare support.
In both cases, the criticism did not primarily come from political rivals—it came from supposed allies. This reveals a deeper issue in the country’s political culture.
THE PRESSURE OF POLITICAL LOYALTY
Today’s political environment often demands clear, unwavering alignment. Any nuance is interpreted as betrayal. Any delay in endorsement is seen as disloyalty. Public figures are expected to echo the dominant narrative of their political camp without deviation.
This dynamic discourages independent thinking and thoughtful governance. It pressures leaders to prioritize political positioning over careful, principle-based statements.
SERVICE OVER PREMATURE POLITICS
The 2028 elections are still three years away. Yet political lines are already being drawn, alliances being tested, and loyalty being measured.
Instead of focusing on urgent national concerns—rising cost of living, job security, healthcare access, education recovery, agricultural reform, and disaster preparedness—much of the public discourse revolves around future candidacies.
Governor Baricuatro’s emphasis on service reflects an important principle: governance should not pause because of distant elections. Likewise, Senator Aquino’s focus on domestic judicial processes raises institutional questions that deserve thoughtful debate, not immediate partisan judgment.
Public service must not be overshadowed by early campaign politics.
A CULTURE OF COLOR-CODED POLITICS
Filipinos are deeply engaged in politics. However, engagement often turns into identity politics—where alliances and colors matter more than policy content.
Instead of evaluating whether a statement contributes to constructive governance, many react based on whether it strengthens or weakens their political camp.
This environment fosters division and discourages mature dialogue.
LEARNING FROM OTHER DEMOCRACIES
In countries like Germany, Japan, and Singapore, political parties certainly exist and compete. However, governance structures and long-term national priorities often transcend party lines.
Leaders are not constantly pressured to declare loyalty in every statement. Institutional continuity and performance tend to matter more than daily political signaling.
While no system is perfect, these examples show that strong democracies function best when governance is steady and not permanently in campaign mode.
THE LESSON FOR EVERYONE
The recent “bashing” incidents teach an important lesson: political maturity requires space for nuance. Allies should not demand blind conformity, and public officials should not be reduced to symbols of partisan allegiance.
As citizens, we must ask ourselves: Are we encouraging thoughtful leadership, or are we pressuring leaders to simply echo our political preferences?
The Philippines faces real and urgent challenges today. The 2028 elections will come at the proper time. Until then, both leaders and citizens share a responsibility—to prioritize service over spectacle, governance over grandstanding, and solutions over slogans.
In the end, democracy is not strengthened by louder loyalty. It is strengthened by better service.
