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Isko’s question

By Jose Bayani Baylon

RECENTLY, in an exchange that was intended to explain (or explain away) his less-than-critical attitude towards the Marcoses, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso pointedly stated that the Philippines has been wracked by the Marcos-Aquino tiff for the last 30 or so years, but of what effect has it had on the rest of the country?

Mayor Isko seems to be saying that this “family feud” has not resulted in the improvement of the lot of majority of the people – so why should we remain consumed by it?

The point of view, I am sorry to say, while initially seemingly valid, actually reveals a shallowness in the understanding and analysis of the so-called “family feud.” Contrary to the understanding of the Manila mayor, the feud is not simply all about personalities – not simply about FM or Ninoy or Cory or PNoy or Imelda or BBM; it is in fact a reflection of a deeper issue (even issues!) that continues to haunt the country and, in many respects, benefits the Manila mayor himself.

The Marcos vs. Aquino feud that has consumed the Philippines since 1969 is actually one that at a deeper level is about how we as citizens understand democracy, public service and government, and to what standards we as citizen-electors hold up our public servants.

They’ve not been very high standards, I should say. I was about to say, “just look at the quality of senators we elect,” but I won’t.

Marcos and Aquino were two ambitious men who had designs on the country. They were both brilliant, eloquent, and flawed. Marcos, of course, had an excellent legal mind and that is why up to today many of the issues being hurled at him (and his family) remain unresolved. But both he and his fraternity brod Ninoy knew how to play on the Filipino’s psyche, in a way that Duterte also did in 2015-2016 – and others, including the mayor of Manila, are trying to do today.

That Filipinos are so prone to be captivated, enamored, captured even by exciting and charismatic people like Marcos and Aquino and, yes like Duterte and even Isko, is the real problem. That our people do not have the interest, or the energy, or the time to dig deeper into the character of those they choose to elect to office and entrust with the responsibility of running the affairs of state is why, more than 30 years after the Marcos-Aquino “feud” reached a bloody end at Manila airport, the rest of the country remains “unimproved.”

And stay that way the rest of our people will. Because this is not about Marcos and Aquino.

It is about you and me and what we understand of democracy and what we expect of our public officials — and of ourselves.

Personal: Happy birthday Rev. Fr. Ronald Arcillas; Angelica Christia Castro of Christian Influencers United Philippines/ Victorious Sacred Angel; Rev. Fr. Renato Alegre; Lucyville Puli Gervacio niece of Marizza Puli; MSWD Head Erica Baccay of Rodriguez, Rizal; Knox Internationale Technological Institute Principal Florencia Cervantes; belated happy birthday Jemay Bonifacio, Supremo Ian, Bb. Joji Obias Hodges

https://malayaph.com/news_opinion/iskos-question/