The rise of the phoenix
It is of record that the Philippine economy fared well during the tenure of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. From being a ‘sick man of Asia,’ the Philippines performed well and demonstrated resilience amid shocks coming from external sources.
But Aquino’s economic success story failed to catapult his anointed successor. The problem: most Filipinos did not feel the effect of more than 6% economic growth. The economic success did not trickle down to the masses since the Philippines has the worst record in Asia in terms of income inequality. There was a massive disparity in job creation which was concentrated in urban areas. Poverty in rural areas, which was not substantially unaddressed by the Aquino administration, fueled resentment in Visayas, Mindanao, and other parts of Luzon.
The failure of Aquino’s and his predecessors’ democratic governance style catapulted President Rodrigo Duterte. The latter presented himself as the champion for the masses and vowed to dismantle oligarchy during his reign. The oligarchy has been his first exhibit to show the alleged failure of democracy and capitalism. This populist style of leadership is, until the present, able to generate a high approval rating.
Now that Duterte’s term is about to end, he and his daughter presidential survey frontrunner Sara Duterte have openly shown signs of handing over the presidency to the late dictator’s son and namesake, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM).
BBM’s popularity is phenomenal but alarming to the advocates of liberalism and those who have seen the dark years of martial law. It is a common occurrence in government or private offices now to have its head of office mostly in their 40’s or 50’s vetting for Leni Robredo as she embodies the principles of democracy and liberalism. However, it is surprising to note that the subordinates who belong to the younger generation support BBM, who tries to resurrect his father’s vision for a better Philippines. With the lack of firsthand experience on the struggles during the martial law years, a young voter will be enamored by the late dictator’s son, who inherited some of his father’s alluring prowess.
World history has taught us that providing a sense of agency to common folk is key for authoritarianism to thrive. The sense of agency delivered the votes for President Duterte. Although he has not officially thrown his support to BBM after the latter filed his certificate of candidacy, Duterte will likely anoint a Marcos to take over the seat of power. This situation is what most liberals fear: that BBM will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of an authoritarian rule.
However, there is one thing that popular presidents in the post martial law time were unable to do: to amend the charter. The 1987 Constitution has withstood several attempts of tinkering even though some of them had noble intentions. As envisioned by its framers, the Constitution is designed to claw down any plan of a sitting president to remain in power beyond six years with no chance of being re-elected. This provision in the charter is a fortress that we must all defend regardless of our inclination.
The challenge for every candidate is to make the people feel that they are not servants of an uncaring and capricious market dominated by oligarchs. This situation only happens when the people share the blessings of a vibrant economy in every corner of the country. As the government stumbles in this solemn duty, a tyrant who delivers the balm to assuage people suffering will rise into power at some points in our history as a nation.