This week a singer who happened to be identified with the political opposition was pilloried over social media for a leaked video showing him engaged in a sexual act while in a video call with another. After denying that he was the man in the video, the singer eventually said it was he.
Expect the nasty jokes and condemnation to continue a few more days.
Filipinos are no stranger to scandals. It appears we relish them, even. Perhaps it is good old schadenfraude—the joy or satisfaction derived from the misfortune and humiliation of others. This might especially be true since said singer is a known critic of this administration. How dare he portray himself as clean, his bashers say, when the evidence of the opposite is just a “share” button away? Now the hypocrite has had what he deserves.
Who isn’t a hypocrite, indeed? How many of us are actually paragons of virtue, are free of indiscretion and, more importantly, inclined to admit to folly when denying or lying would be more convenient for all?
Meanwhile, the rest of us are sidetracked again, failing to see the truly scandalous things that we are embroiled in, as a nation.
For instance, Facebook this week announced it had removed some 200 pages and accounts that were used to spread false information in favor of some personalities and against others during the campaign period in 2016.
The social media giant said it had traced the accounts to an individual linked to the current administration. Three years after the elections, this administration has yet to successfully combat accusations that it relied —relies—heavily on disinformation to sway public opinion to its favor. We are certain any self-respecting, truth-seeking, freedom-loving leader such as President Duterte would not want this notoriety attached to his name.
Another scandal we are mired in is the inability—refusal—to assert our own rights in our own territory. Even an international arbitral court has ruled in our favor, but for reasons we may be too simple to comprehend, it appears that our own national leaders are too feeble to stand up to our giant neighbor, China. But if China were really as fair and reasonable and decent as we are told it is, why is it doing all the things it is doing?
Finally, the campaign against illegal drugs will soon enter its fourth year. Curiously, even the President has said—we don’t think he was being figurative—the problem is getting worse.
The Supreme Court has recently ordered the Philippine National Police to release its records on at least 3,800 deaths related to the drug war. The Solicitor General quite predictably, is resisting this, saying it would compromise police operations. But what is there to be compromised when thousands of families remain in the dark about the circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ death?
This is sensitive information indeed—but not in the sense that the Solicitor General insists.
If we’re looking for scandal, we don’t have to look too far. Unfortunately, these are not the misfortunes of others. They are ours.