The Philippines remains a country beloved.
Despite the visible iniquities – primarily the widening gap between the rich and the poor, between the privileged and the under-privileged – this nation of more than one hundred million that descended from the Malay race (as national hero Jose Rizal described the Filipino) steadfastly remains one of the world’s attractive business and pleasure destinations.
Democracy has flowered more than just a way of life, in effect shooting up above – overtaking, in a way of saying – the standards set by the Americans from whom we, Filipinos, meticulously copied and patterned our own government.
In a democracy, free public debate of issues is its essence and criterion. Without this unlimited free flow of expression of language and ideas, democracy wouldn’t be as we are describing it now, much more living it.
Debating issues of national import is critical to democracy. The exchange of ideas leads to a better understanding that leads to better decisions that leads to the making of better citizens.
Conversely, we know that when national concerns are not publicly discussed and tackled, we produce a citizenry composed of ignoramuses, idiots and apathetic people.
Debate in a democratic atmosphere will require government as well as public officials to maintain an open mindset, training people to listen to both sides before making decisions.
This process helps our people to examine assumptions presented by both sides that helps in clarifying where our political values stand.
This process is what we call “search for the truth.”
Without sounding too religious, the Bible says, “the truth will set us free.”
Who is not in search of the truth? Only the sinister-minded, Machiavellian-inspired liars and schemers will disagree because they exist to thwart the truth.
I read somewhere a thought of British political philosopher John Stuart Mill who wrote: “So essential is this discipline to a real understanding of moral and human subjects that, if opponents of all-important truths do not exist, it is indispensable to imagine them and supply them with the strongest arguments which the most skillful devil’s advocate can conjure up.”
Contrast this school of thought to the communist version where ideas and beliefs are not allowed to be challenged and thus become automatic dogmas that rule the lives of their citizens.
If I understand Mills’ postulation correctly, I state here that if ideas are not challenged in the free market of opinion and thought, they become dogmatic tenets that manipulate and twist the people’s understanding where it results to their robotic transformation.
By allowing rhetoric to be heard, we are better able to discern whether there is an attempt to manipulate our thinking and enable us to purge it from our mental reserves.
The Philippine version of democracy is still in its infancy compared to the American set-up. Thus, it is safe to say that it is fragile and vulnerable, open to abuse and desecration. (I think this is happening now.)
Much of our understanding of democratic ideals is based on our readings and emotional responses, not on how we truly live and practice it, making us a bit more immature in our approach to life.
The power of reason is the essence of the democratic debate and argumentation. As you will experience and observe, so much verbal trash and unmitigated buffoonery are collected in social media platforms that cloud the Filipino’s way of thinking.
This is a sickening attitude. From where I sit, it appears to have developed into a cultural impunity.
Filipinos must continue to seek enlightenment instead of cowering under the cloak of fear and ignorance. We are providently blessed with natural resources that many countries do not enjoy.
As Filipinos are threatened by political polarization and color schemes, right thinking citizens must move to repel the hideous agenda of interest groups and sectors waiting to dislodge and overthrow duly-constituted authorities.
This is an essential responsibility of citizens living in the realm of genuine democracy – to protect and preserve these ideals and institutions with their life and limb.
Public interest must prevail. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Prov. 23:9: “Do not speak to a fool for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
