Political Fanaticism in the Face of Pandemonium

It is cognizant to recognize moral breakthroughs of most political figures especially in times of crisis. However, being a plain fanatic defeats the purpose of true, genuine public service and ironically regresses the discourse back to traditional politics.

The mass hysteria forced the populace into such a depraved and desperate corner. It is as if the dire situation puts everyone in a dark abyss, longing for the glimmer of a savior. This scenario gives birth to idolatry, similar as to how the Filipino public suffered under numerous corrupt presidencies only to find relief in the arms of President Rodrigo Duterte who initially poised himself as "for the people." This idolatry then transforms into adornment to the genuine imagery of a political leader that curses, is admittedly with angst toward foreign powers, and speaks whatever hits his mind. Populism therefore became a mighty barrier that goes beyond logical reason.

The scenario is rather cyclic. Gutierrez and Rogoff (2003) defines this as "repertoires of practice" wherein individuals develop their own "histories of engagement in cultural practices and move away from the concept of static traits." These cultures may be defined and contextualized in the form of being in awe of celebrity-turned politicians, voting for the sake of gratitude for a measly kilogram of rice and canned goods, being bribed, and others.

In the event when President Duterte took oath of office, the public rekindled innovative and voluntary ways of increasing the publicity of the people-supported and independently-funded campaigns, thus convincing themselves that they broke free from the practices of traditional politics. After three years of Duterte Presidency, the public eventually lost awareness of how they gradually returned to being beggars of attention and privilege. Soon enough they started voting for celebrities and personages endorsed by the president himself to run for political leadership posts. Soon enough they started being patrons of policy-makers and ended up orgasmic when receiving a measly kilogram of rice and canned goods, bribe money, and others.

And soon enough, they started to become loyalists to certain public officials.

The COVID-19 crisis is therefore regressed to being a competition of Local Government Units, proving to the general citizens their worth as political leaders. Admittedly there are some who under-perform in their responsibilities. But the likes of Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro are the prime personifications of "ambitious leadership." They are subtly placed in a situation wherein the people begin to count their societal contributions. Respective constituencies begin to count the privileges they receive from the likes of the aforementioned mayors.

Therefore this battle of political leadership is not about nobility anymore. It regressed to a battle of material; Who provides more goods? Who provides more consumables? Who provides more services?

Who provides more privileges?

And eventually, when the people begin to convince themselves of "change" that is coming, they will subtly regress back to being mere recipients of relief goods, already content with a measly kilogram of rice and canned goods, bribe money, and others.

What the public can learn from these events is to not acquire a sense of responsibility to become loyal and grateful after receiving ample support from public officials, simply because these acts are the bare-minimum and are down to every letter of the written law as it should be practiced.

What can be done alternatively is to continuously challenge these leaders to go beyond what they do right now.

The public needs to develop an insatiable hunger for better services that always bests the previous ones they receive. The public needs to become more ambitious in their political woes, and the only way to do that is through their criticisms- the primary source of their social and community involvement.

Admittedly, there is potential in the actions and dedications of Mayor Vico, Mayor Isko, and Mayor Marcy. It is indeed worth celebrating to have been blessed with such high-caliber leaders. But the public needs to be responsible enough not to waste such talent.

The public needs to break free from absolute adornment and idolatry from these leaders. Otherwise, they will be the reason for the eventual corruption of these personages. Hopefully the public will not be at sin for this, because the price of doing so is seeing the integrity and ingenuity of their idolized leaders crumble before their very eyes.

Taking the words of Terrence Fletcher from Damien Chazelle's "Whiplash," "...there are no two words in the English language more harmful than "good job."

###

*Photos taken from Google
**Image edited on photopea.com