Beyond spectacle
Two political gatherings transpired over the weekend: the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) thanksgiving rally and the opposition allies’ solidarity rally for the administration’s war against illegal drugs.
As expected of political mobilizations, both assemblies showed what is expected: spectacle, rhetoric and, yes, maybe a bit of snack packs.
If anything, it gives you an early picture of a political ritual to check loyalties, strength. It tests the political waters.
The rite makes it a point to weave spectacles to lure citizens into the head count, stretching the square meters of coverage to the rafters. Police say the opposition mustered a sweeping 45,000 participants, while BOPK amassed 6,000.
The equation tilts to one side, but that is understandable. The allies’ big card was “Duterte Rocks Cebu Rock ‘N Roll Concert,” a crowd-drawer undeniably. The other side had a rather solemn attendance. But both tapped on their usual pool of supporters for the occasion.
But consider the emperor parading his “new clothes,” and a youngish critical observer blurts out the nakedness of it all. A rally insider, you are easily lured into the spectacle, wide-eyed and less critical amid the circus.
Except that you have a choice. The citizens can turn the cards and be less gullible to popular entertainment and get right smack to the issues of the day.
So what should citizens need to catch in the hullabaloo? You have Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, crafting his words a bit mildly, saying he can stand up against any hint of injustice done on ordinary citizens. That was the day’s milder tack for a supposed broadside against the PNP.
“If you were to call me in the middle of the night, and I see injustice because you will be put to jail, I will get you out. Ang ordinaryo nga tawo wa silay connection sa ibabaw. Usa ra ang ilang connection, ang akong cellphone number nga naa sa Facebook,” he said.
There is also Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella with an outright word of support for the police and the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.
“This event shows that the public still trusts the police. I call on the people to continue to pray so that peace will prevail, and to continue to support the police’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality,” Labella said.
The contrast is evident enough in those statements. You are supposed to weigh these leaders according to those lines—on who best shares your sentiments. Leave the spectacle for college intramurals.