Fanatic Slavery Over Democracy

Drawing the fine line between critical endorsement and excessive glorification of public officials has been a laborious task, and the uproar caused by supporters following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on his charges against human rights violations proves just how blind devotion may lead to impending destruction.

Last March, dozens of Filipinos in Qatar were arrested due to a political demonstration in relation to their support for Duterte. While their cases were eventually dismissed, it goes to show their willingness to risk their freedom, livelihood, and even their families’ stability to devote themselves to mere politicians—humans who have committed and enabled wrongdoings. 

On March 11, news of former President Duterte’s apprehension, grounded on an arrest warrant issued by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, erupted. He was brought to The Hague, Netherlands, on charges regarding crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape. This sparked turmoil among his fanatics, Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), as they flocked to the internet in a dire attempt to stop the due process—which Duterte denied thousands of extrajudicial killing victims during his bloody regime. They affirm that his persecution is immoral and shall be retracted as the nation withdrew its membership from the ICC. But in adherence to the Republic Act No. 9851 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a crucial character in approving the arrest. 

During the height of his arrest, social media posts continuously surfaced wherein fictional characters’ quotation cards reveal their ‘support’ for the former president and how ‘unlawful’ his detention was. While some bore satirical contextualization, people in the comment sections are applauding these ‘individuals’ for speaking on his behalf without being aware that these are false assertions, depicting the dangers of herd mentality rooted in their blind fanaticism for Duterte.

Duterte’s supporters often argue that he was not the one who cruelly murdered people without allowing them to undergo a legal process. While he may not have been the one who pulled the trigger, his ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy and endless demands to see lifeless bodies sparked tragedies all around the country, and his arrest is a testament to how lethal his actions and declarations have been. 

In a 2021 study, it was found that the DDS are more likely to have difficulty distinguishing misinformation from the truth. This retrogression is still gravely felt even after four years have passed. They remain susceptible to acquiring falsified findings.

Another alarming horizon of their mindless loyalty is the reflection of the patriarchal undertones in society viewing Duterte as a father figure whom they owe their lives to. His brute masculinity was one that his followers considered as his core influence. No matter how perpetually online they appear to be, most fanatics, not only of Duterte but also of various politicians, are refusing to believe that those they idolize are prone to committing atrocities. They put them on a pedestal, deluding themselves that these are saints, and thus, must be worshipped. 

At the end of the day, it is not the masses’ duty to serve and preach for those who are sitting comfortably in the government. Politicians are nothing if not for the people who gave them the power to rule over the nation. It is not another bloodthirsty tyrant we need, but rather a mass-oriented leader who seeks to establish a progressive Philippines. 

Like a ticking time bomb, Filipinos’ political fanaticism may determine the upcoming May 2024 senatorial and local elections. In the previous elections, it was evident how fanaticism has affected them: inexperienced actors won positions due to their fame in the public scene together with individuals whose only feat in life are the prominent surnames they bear or the connections they built over their years in the political landscape. 

Back in the 2022 senatorial race, action star and Senator Robinhood Padilla led the Magic 12 despite being a neophyte senator, his celebrity status becoming one of the main basis as to why he was chosen for the seat despite being new to the senate. However, the Senate is not some college degree that must be studied during their term, and his acting prestige should not have been enough of a reason as to why his admirers opted to vote for him.

Moreover, in the same elections, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., son of the late tyrant, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., rose to his position as the country’s chief executive mainly due to his lineage and tandem with Vice President Sara Duterte. Many of his father’s devotees believed that he will turn out just like him, and thus, chose him to lead the nation, disregarding his absences during presidential debates or his silence when asked about the truth behind his father’s bloody regime. 

In the present time, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a famed crony of Duterte, secured the top spot in the results of Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest senatorial preference survey. Such reflections of consistent admiration for known figures can be seen in the recent polls—even if their platforms were never truly established in the first place. 

However, there is still adequate time to challenge and change the trajectory of Filipino voters’ ideals; the infestation of political blindness must be extinguished as the scope of fanaticism should not be the foundation of the country’s political heritage and senators who are too busy supporting their tyrannical chiefs shall not gain a seat in the Senate.

Article: Neferterie F. Deotoy

Cartoon: Lara Denise Tinos