FOR SOME PEOPLE chasing after altered, mass-oriented structures in our landscape, there is a long history of endeavoring to win bigger spaces for good governance with slivers of hope carved in the doorways of electoral arena. The journey to slacken the breadth of the door, however, is as hard as crashing diamonds—and in most cases, the ones who will infiltrate these doorways are those stunned in the same diamonds, no less appealing to the electorates with the beams of their riches along the façade of their so-called ‘service’.
The façade behind which barely tangible changes lie is the very fuse of the fire ignited to rebel against deceit, because while the portfolio is filled with recognition and awards named after office-bearers, the status quo shows a different reality plagued by long-standing, under-addressed struggles on employment, food security, low income, education, and dawdling wheels of justice—or the lack of it thereof—to name a few.
In the 2022 midterm [sic] election, there was novel ignition that twisted the drive for a campaign trail, termed as 'people's campaign' powered by charity and volunteerism from different walks of life including—to everyone's enchantment—the grassroots. In an energy of an intensity not long witnessed since the EDSA I, it was a showcase of the contemporary people power who stand on reforms, defying campaign norms, stagnancies and lip service.
Regardless, the mammoth energy was poured to give rise for hope but seemingly to no avail in the face of the peak of then alliance from two dominating factions in Philippine politics—the Marcoses and the Dutertes, both of whom seated in the two highest state offices. The seed of black propagandas they cultivated for decades made their entry along the campaign season until they creeped discreetly in the electoral doors— thanks to religious communities' and LGUs' endorsements, troll factory and the cycle of trapo politics.
From once active force, the energy became dormant. Yet, the force yielded fruit three years after it emerged in the political arena like a Kraken from depths of the seas, making us witnesses to shifts and surprises. With unprecedented intensity, two opposition senators enraptured supporters in their inclusion to the magic 12 of the 2025 senatorial race, clinching seats along winning circle despite lagging placements in pre-election surveys. The reasons are unequivocal: the Gen Zs and the millennials—as attested by the candidates themselves, political analysts and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and National Citizens' Movement for Free Election.
Arguably, the uphill battle is reached by consistent online visibility, eye-opening works of information dissemination, and sticky messages both from the candidates and the influencer- and celebrity-endorsers who backed their campaigns.
The most recent presidential election left a takeaway at how online platforms and black propaganda mechanized for political interest caused the nation's divide not just in beliefs but also in realities. These alternate realities form in high belief of made-up stories relayed creatively, including the peak of national economy in the first Marcos regime and anti- crime and anti-corrupt governance of the Dutertes. It is learned from then on how black propaganda carries with them an immense magnetic property to glue people's interest and curiosity and soon enough, their loyalty. This loyalty base is what requires the dismantling, and as the political divorce ensued between the once most invincible alliance, the base might be easier to shake. Still, there again was the attempt to reverse perceived loss, establishing the tip of redemption arc, and entice 'soft' voters from other camps through on-the-ground and online visibility.
In increasingly digitized communication and education, social media appearance is also part of reaching out; sharing what is relevant, learning about protests and stances, taking a stand and letting everyone know about the truth—a digital behavior commonly observed among the youngs.
Some of Makabayan bloc candidates garnering million voter turnouts with online visibility as its key driver for promotion reveals of an ecochamber [sic] that presents variety ofcinformation, and this is the single most crucial element of a more pro-democratic digital world. As protection of liberty is a cornerstone of democracy, let us note this quote from Mary Beard: "Democracy requires information"—a truthful and diverse one at it.
This goes very similarly with championing the good in the local elections. The local political powerhouses execute disinformation campaigns of their own, painting their adversaries with controversies, which is seen in the landscape of Camarines Sur politics, no less. Such tactic functions as a stronghold of dynastic family and allies, conveying the ill- fated message that in some places, political patronage is hard to escape and so is political dynasty.
Clearly, until the window runs clear, many may still be oblivious to the rotten promises and disservices that powers-that-be commit once they walk past electoral doors into the political arena. The disinformation-infused ignorance makes our democracy almost terminally ill. This certainly is not an overnight healing, but a movement that takes participation, perseverance and passion that resists disillusionment.
Published in the June 2024–May 2025 print release.
