The pain of the privileged

September 2, 2024

MANILA – So many things are happening in the political scene that it has become increasingly difficult to connect the dots. But it’s quite obvious that, a few months after the breakup of the Marcos-Duterte political partnership, it is now open season on the key figures associated with the past administration. So far, the investigations and inquiries have focused, among others, on former president Rodrigo Duterte, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, his religious adviser and friend, pastor Apollo Quiboloy, his former police chief and now senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, his former special assistant and now senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his son-in-law (Sara’s husband) Manases “Mans” Carpio, son Davao Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, and his former spokesperson Harry Roque.

Where their activities used to be protected from scrutiny by layers of influence, these days the veil of privilege that had concealed their sordid use of power is gradually being lifted. And what we’re seeing is not just the criminality of a few people but the rottenness of an entire system.

As ordinary people watch this great unraveling in dismay and amusement, one wonders how they are reacting to all this. Are they saying: At last, our institutions are finally working? Or are they thinking: Haven’t we seen this before—the same weaponization of the state’s investigatory and police powers to punish political enemies?

These two reactions proceed from two different ways of looking at things. The first represents these ongoing investigations as necessary to the pursuit of justice and the restoration of faith in government. The second regards these as necessary to the total elimination of the Dutertes as a political force. The first