Often we overly romanticize the idea of love by learning to accept the person for who he is without any regard to the mistakes made, grave or not. We trust in the power of time, that maybe soon enough, that person can own up to his shortcomings and make up for them later on.
Last 2016, the majority of the Filipino voters chose Rodrigo Duterte as their president. They cheered for him, protected him, and abided by his words since day one. People fell in love with his words of affirmation that he will fight for our territory, champion the poor, and eradicate the major cause of our poverty–illegal drugs. The President, from his election campaigns, SONAs, and speeches aired at ungodly times, continues to declare his overpouring “love” for his fellow Filipinos through the magic of words paired with a doleful look on his face. He, at 75 years old, has mastered the skill of winning the hearts of many in spite of the apparent incompetence and lack of diplomacy, not to mention his entanglements with several women and confirming to kill three men on record after which he denied. He did all these things without any consequence and carries on with it fearless.
His character is not appalling in particular. In fact, we know some of them in real life. We see them at home, interact, and fell madly in love with them at some point. Of course, they will apologize, or cry even, and thereafter, condone. We welcome them back into our lives like nothing happened until something does, and it’s the same exact mistake that led to our emotional burden.
If this is the kind of love that we continue to show and willingly accept, we shouldn’t be surprised about where we are now.
Duterte promised to end contractualization in 2016, however, rejected the anti-endo bill last year. He proclaims himself to be emphatic towards drivers, but pushes for modernization of jeepneys without providing funds or alternatives for lost jobs. The president once promised that he will face the Chinese vessels and fight for our country’s sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, but gave up the disputed islands because he is “powerless” over China, and even allowed the Chinese to operate offshore gaming in all parts of the Philippines. Just recently, he deliberately ignored the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill by the Congress, which is feared to silence the free speech of the people.
When we say we love the president despite all his shortcomings, we fail to acknowledge the change we wanted in the first place. Being a supporter is not wrong, what makes it insufferable is the relentless way of defending him without looking closely into the repercussions of his decisions as the President of the Republic. All acts and omissions are significant to us now more than ever. To embrace his faults wholeheartedly without addressing them is foolish. Love is not about accepting one’s mistakes. Love entails accountability. As a democratic state, we are accorded the right to call out leaders and hold them accountable for their dishonest behavior.
Amid all these incongruities, many still find it in their hearts to show support and defend him because “people make mistakes” and “everyone deserves a second chance.” If this is the kind of love that we continue to show and willingly accept, we shouldn’t be surprised about where we are now.◾
Author
MARIA CRISTINA MIRANDA
News Editor
A.Y. 2019 – 2020