Ron Jabal

In a landscape where trust is shaped by emotion rather than evidence, Vice President Sara Duterte's enduring popularity prompts a critical reflection. What does it say about the Philippines when trust in leaders transcends accountability? The structural dynamics of loyalty and emotion in politics reveal much about our collective psyche.

The conflict between Marcos Jr. and Duterte is not just a political rift. It's a barrier to effective governance. As media narrates their feud, we must ask: how is this impacting the lives of everyday Filipinos? Let's shift the focus to what truly matters.

“Kung sino pa ‘yung may matinong nagawa sa bayan, siya pa ang nasa loob.” This sentiment encapsulates how Duterte's followers perceive his legal troubles as a form of martyrdom, cementing his place within Philippine political culture's complex landscape.

“Itama ang Mali” — but whose mali are we correcting, and whose version of tama are we being asked to believe? When symbols of power wear black and speak of suffering, we must ask: are they mourning with us, or mourning the truth?