BY SIR DAVE S. ABATAYO
OUR UNDERSTANDING of politics, governance, and our role in society reflects the values we embrace, the beliefs we hold, and the social norms that influence us. In the Philippines, our political culture reveals not only how we perceive the system but also how we engage with it.
As John Stuart Mill aptly put it, “The worth of a state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it.” If our political culture is a mirror of who we are as citizens and voters, then we must ask ourselves: What does the current state of Philippine politics reveal about us?
Unfortunately, what we witness today is a political culture entrenched and plagued by patterns that undermine our democracy. Corruption has become so normalized that it is often seen as something we have come to accept as part of the system.
The focus has shifted to personality-based politics, patronage, extreme partisanship, disinformation, political dynasties, loyalism, and vote-buying. These issues have not only shaped our elections but also defined our governance. Many Filipinos vote based on familiarity or name recognition, often ignoring merit or qualifications, which reduces politics to a family business rather than a public duty to serve the people.
Corrupt politicians have manipulated the system to secure power for themselves and their descendants, treating public office as an inheritance rather than a public trust. Social media, which could be a platform for meaningful discourse, has instead become a battleground for propaganda, disinformation, and hate.
In this environment, politics has lost its true meaning. We have reduced elections to a mere formality, like a classroom popularity contest, where voting is done without much thought or responsibility. This creates the perfect breeding ground for corruption to thrive.
The problem is not just that corrupt politicians manipulate the system—it is that we, as voters, enable it. We have allowed this system to persist by tolerating corruption, voting based on popularity instead of principles and remaining indifferent to injustice. Can we take pride in this? Absolutely not. If the future of our nation depends on the political culture we cultivate today, then change must begin with us. After all, we are the ones who reflect and perpetuate the state of our politics through our choices and actions.
When we tolerate corruption, vote based on popularity instead of principles, or remain indifferent to injustice, we contribute to a system that reflects those very flaws. But if we choose to be informed, to participate actively, and to hold our leaders accountable, we can reshape our political culture into one that upholds integrity, transparency, and progress.
As Filipinos, our shared history, struggles, and dreams for the future shape our political behavior. Cultural traits like utang na loob and pakikisama influence how we engage with power and authority. But being aware of these dynamics allows us to reflect—and to ask: Are these values helping or hindering us as a democratic society?
Ultimately, the quality of our politics is shaped not just by those in power, but by us—the people. Our choices, values, and how we engage with the system all contribute to the political culture we live in. If it is flawed, we must ask not only what’s wrong, but how we can be wiser in shaping it. Political culture isn’t fixed; it evolves as we do. So, the real question is: What kind of citizens do we want to be—indifferent or wise?
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Sir Dave S. Abatayo, a third-year political science student at the University of Cebu-Main Campus. This piece is part of their course on introduction to journalism.
