By Farah G. Decano

 

THE presence of strong opposition must not be feared by our populace. It is when there is no open resistance at all against our government policies that our democracy is in serious danger.  This could only mean that our liberties are restrained by some force or threat.

During the time of President Rodrigo Duterte, there was no written proclamation prohibiting dissent.  We, however, observed the rise of internet trolls reciting scripted mantras in support of his administration.   While there appeared to be a semblance of freedom of expression, those who were not in agreement agree President Duterte’s  government were subjected to severe bashing, vitriols, and threats by these cyber warriors.  Allegedly, these trolls were  paid by as much as fifty to eighty thousand pesos a month.

Fifty to eighty thousand pesos is a big amount of money even to the upper middle class. During those days, one wealthy property owner from Dagupan City suddenly forgot his breeding and good standing in society for the moolah.  He reduced himself to a venom-spewing kanto boy in social media in the guise of patriotism.  One day, he had a sudden change of heart and was criticized as fake news purveyor of  the pro-Duterte Facebook accounts he used to share with the public. In just a matter of days from his supposed “enlightenment,” he was on the roll again. He  began singing blind praises to Presidente  Duterte  and attacked  his  political enemies using gutter language. I cannot help but think that his temporary loyalty shift was due to his “employer’s” failure to pay him on time.   

To subject constituencies to overwhelmingly harsh online bullying by supporters, whether paid or not, is tantamount to censorship or restraint of freedom.  I remember one saying that there is censorship whenever individuals have to think twice before expressing their opinion for fear of  dehumanizing intimidations.

Indeed, who would want their name marred just to voice their dissent against then-President Duterte?  Very, very few. Remember what happened to his critics?  Actor Agot Isidro was labeled online as “baog;” Senator Sonny Trillanes as “Trililing, Vice President Leni Robredo as “Lutang,” and Senator Kiko Pangilinan as “Unggoy.”  There was almost no opportunity for intelligent debate on social issues in social media.

Citizen power was weak then because there was no strong opposition. After the shaming and incarceration of then-Senator Leila de Lima, no one but Senator Sonny Trillanes stood against President Duterte.  Most of his political rivals were soft on the latter for fear of the same fate as the woman senator.    When his opponents began gaining ground a few years later, President Duterte knew how to disperse them again.  He filed sedition charges versus the suspected leaders. His enemies could not regroup.

Democracy is  alive nowadays.  Credit must be given to both the Marcos administration and its strongest political competitor – the Duterte faction.  To mudslinging each other, both camps expose each other’s infractions and possible corruption.  They also demand accountability for the actions of the other in the name of public interest.

Allied members of the Marcos administration are pushing  Vice President Sara Duterte to account for the confidential funds she spent in 2022 and 2023 while her own bloc members are challenging the Marcos cohorts to be transparent in the budgeting process.

This time, the public is more exposed to high-level discussions on public interest, transparency, accountability,  and the budgeting process.   We now have less of the irrelevant name calling.

I would advocate for the same scenario in Dagupan City.  I hope for a strong opposition against whosoever is holding the reign of power.  But, with one more qualification – reasonableness.

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