IT is no surprise that Philippines was tagged as the text capital in the world early on.  The platform is custom-fit to Pinoy culture of friendliness bunded on strong family ties. But as texting is for bonding, the onset of social media scuttled all that we cherished with texting.

Social media, i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, etc. has taken the best and the worst in Pinoy for being demonstrative, opinionated, and, yes, gullible.

Pinoys get exhilarated when they share positive things about themselves, what they’ve done and seen… and what they want to believe in, coupled with the advantage of impersonality or the absence of direct, physical encounter. But, the standard has since hit rock bottom when trolls found their space, exploiting the easy gullibility of many who don’t care to do a fact check, who nonchalantly take fake news as truth and factual.

It is the spread of disinformation and lies that have polarized and divided our people as experienced today on account of the country’s recent elections. Suddenly, facts and lies were dished out as arguments to defend one’s personal thoughts and emotions, a situation never seen in the country in the past. Even news and facts from mainstream media are challenged by personal views based on “facts” acquired through social media.

Unfortunately, social media as a source of facts and truth, corrupted by assertive disinformation is here to stay with us for a long time until fact-checking becomes the norm.

So, till then, how we keep relationships, particularly, with our family members, friends, associates, will depend on how we take to social media because like drugs, it can be hazardous to our mental health.

Disqualification, cancellation

IT is always interesting to hear George Garcia, the newest Comelec (Commission on Elections) commissioner, explain election laws.  Almost always, he sounds the most sensible member thus far to be ever appointed to one of the country’s most criticized agencies for ineptness.  No surprise there. Before his appointment, Garcia was a famous election lawyer.  This week, Garcia told famed broadcaster Ted Failon: “If the Supreme Court decides to disqualify Bongbong Marcos after Bongbong gets proclaimed president, presumptive vice president Sara Duterte becomes president based on the rule of succession.  But if the high court rules to cancel Bongbong’s certificate of candidacy, Leni Robredo becomes president because Leni has gotten the second highest number of votes for president and Bongbong is deemed to be not a candidate for president at all.”

And so, disqualification or cancellation?  Or dismissal? Take your pick.

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