THE ARC OF JUSTICE: A RECKONING WITH HISTORY'S PARALLEL

 

What happens when a leader likens himself to one of history’s darkest figures?

The toll of blind trust and the echo of atrocities come crashing down. As the International Criminal Court (ICC) prepares to unveil the truth behind former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” haunting parallels emerge between the reckoning faced by post-war Germany and the Filipino nation’s awakening.

Are we ready to confront the scars of our collective choices?

On September 30, 2016, then-President Rodrigo Duterte made a chilling statement that grabbed the headlines - likening himself to Adolf Hitler.

 

History records the cost of Hitler’s purges against “undesirables” at 11 million lives, 6 million of whom were Jews. Duterte’s remarks drew immediate global condemnation. World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder called the statement “revolting,” adding, “Drug abuse is a serious issue. But what President Duterte said is not only profoundly inhumane, but it demonstrates an appalling disrespect for human life.”

Nearly a decade later, the wounds of Duterte’s rhetoric remain fresh. VP Sara Duterte’s recent comparison of her father to Ninoy Aquino reignited public outrage, amplifying the shadow of Duterte’s likeness to Hitler. This controversy coincides with Duterte arrest by the ICC and his detention at The Hague, where he awaits trial for crimes against humanity. The parallels between Duterte regime and Nazi Germany under Hitler are now more striking than ever, as the world prepares to witness the ICC trial beginning September 23, 2025.

Unveiling Atrocities: The Holocaust and the ICC Evidence

The German people’s confrontation with the Holocaust bears a haunting resemblance to the Filipinos’ reckoning with the evidence of extrajudicial killings (EJK) under Duterte administration. Both involve societies forced to face the atrocities committed under regimes they may have supported or tolerated, leading to profound emotional and societal consequences.

The Parallel

Denial and Ignorance: Many Germans claimed ignorance of the Holocaust’s full extent, just as many Filipinos may have been unaware of the scale of EJK during Duterte’s “war on drugs.” The ICC’s presentation of evidence, including testimonies and documentation of systematic killings, forces a confrontation with this grim reality.

Betrayal of Trust: Hitler promised national revival, while Duterte vowed to eradicate crime and drugs. In both cases, the truth about the human cost of these promises leaves citizens feeling betrayed and complicit.

Emotional Aftermath: For Germans, it was the shame and guilt of realizing their complicity in genocide. For Filipinos, it is the grief of losing loved ones and the guilt of having supported policies that led to widespread violence.

Societal Reckoning: Germany underwent denazification and memorialization of Holocaust victims. In the Philippines, the ICC proceedings and the testimonies of victims’ families may catalyze accountability and healing.

            Buchenwald Concentration Camp                             Quezon City Jail

A Hypothetical Narrative

Imagine a Filipino mother, Maria, who initially supported Duterte’s "war on drugs," believing it would make her community safer. Now, she sits in a courtroom, listening to the ICC present evidence of her son’s death as part of EJK’s systematic campaign. “I thought he was protecting us,” she whispers, tears streaming down her face. “But he took my son. How could I have been so blind?”

This moment mirrors the experiences of Germans who toured concentration camps after the war, grappling with the realization that their trust and hopes had been manipulated to justify atrocities.

The Nuremberg Trials and the Duterte Trial

The Nuremberg Trials forced Germans to confront the full scope of their regime’s crimes unveiling truths about war atrocities and the Holocaust that many had chosen to ignore or deny. Similarly, the ICC trial for Duterte could serve as a stark reckoning for Filipinos, exposing the depth of EJK. Both trials demand accountability and force societies to reconcile with their role – whether passive or active – in enabling such regimes.

The Parallel

Revealing Hidden Atrocities: Nuremberg unmasked the systematic planning of genocide and war crimes, the Duterte trial could similarly unveil the orchestration of EJK under the guise of eradicating drugs.

Moral Reckoning: Both trials create moral confrontations compelling citizens to face uncomfortable truths about their support or silence in the face of state-sponsored violence.

Erosion of Trust: Both trials betray the trust that people placed in their leaders, leaving a sense of collective guilt and sorrow.

                             Nuremberg Judges                                Duterte at ICC Pre-Trial

A Hypothetical Narrative

“I supported him,” Jose mutters, sitting in the packed courtroom, his voice cracking. “He said he would save us from drugs. I believed him. We all did.”

The prosecutor plays a harrowing video – a mother weeping over her teenage son, a victim of a vigilante killing. Jose’s hands cover his face. “I didn’t know,” he says, shaking his head. “I didn’t know it was this…” He stops himself. The truth is unbearable: he didn’t want to know.

Generational Guilt: Germany and the Philippines

In Germany, generational guilt emerged as younger citizens began questioning their families’ roles during the Nazi era, sparking intergenerational dialogues about complicity and accountability. In the Philippines, similar dynamics could unfold as younger Filipinos reckon with their parents’ or grandparents’ support for Duterte’s policies and confront the nation’s violent past.

The Parallel

Inheriting Trauma and Responsibility: Germans grappled with the weight of their nation’s history, just as younger Filipinos might feel compelled to address the human rights abuses of the “war on drugs” era.

Intergenerational Conflict: Conversations within families, where older generations defend Duterte’s policies as “necessary,” might mirror the tensions in post-war Germany, where parents justified their compliance with Nazi policies.

Cultural Reconciliation: Both societies must navigate how to remember these dark periods – whether through education, memorialization, or activism – to heal and move forward.

                            Drancy Transit Camp                          Youth street protest in Manila

A Hypothetical Narrative

“Papa, how could you have voted for him?” Liway’s voice trembles as she stares across the dinner table. “You knew people were dying. They were being killed in the streets.”

Her father sighs deeply avoiding her gaze. “We were scared, anak. Drugs were destroying lives. He promised to fix it.”

“At what cost?” she presses, her eyes welling with tears. “Our neighbor lost her son. They called him a drug addict; but he wasn’t! I know because he was my friend. And you just… watched.”

“I didn’t know, anak,” he mutters, his voice heavy with regret.

“You didn’t want to know,” she whispers, standing up and walking away, leaving him alone with his thoughts – and his guilt.

History teaches us that even in the face of enduring darkness, the pursuit of justice remains unyielding. Though truth may be delayed, it inevitably emerges, compelling nations to confront their past and hold those accountable for their actions.

As the timeless assertion reminds us: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”  This steadfast belief in hope and the transformative power of action paves the path toward compassionate healing for the Filipino people and a more just and unified future for our nation.

To our former president, Happy 80th Birthday! Wishing you peace of mind, good health, and wisdom for the years ahead.

La Salle Academy Iligan

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HEALING A DIVIDED NATION: DUTERTE SUPPORTERS' TRAVAIL

 

SWS: 51% agree, 25% disagree Duterte should be held accountable for killings – GMA News Online

Imagine walking into a bustling Jollibee for breakfast, where twenty Filipino customers enjoy their meals. You pose a single question to each of them: “Do you agree that Duterte be held accountable for his killings?” Ten nod in agreement, five shake their heads in disagreement, and the remaining five remain undecided and with no opinion. These numbers, drawn from the latest SWS survey, paint a vivid picture of a nation divided. For the five who disagree, the arrest and detention of their beloved Tatay Digong by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague is not just a legal matter – it is a profound emotional crisis akin to personal loss.

Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the groundbreaking five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Originally developed to understand the emotional journey of terminally ill patients, this framework has since been applied to various crises, including loss and trauma. For Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS), Kübler-Ross’s model offers a lens for understanding their reactions to this seismic event. Each stage of coping reveals a distinct emotional response, providing valuable insights into the human capacity for adaptation and healing in the face of adversity.

Let us delve into these varied reactions, stage by stage:

Denial: “No proven evidence,” “Testimonies are scripted,” “They’re paid to ruin Duterte.”

In this initial stage, denial acts as a protective shield. DDS struggle to reconcile the accusations with their image of Tatay Digong. The disbelief and insistence that he could not have committed crimes against humanity reflect the emotional intensity of this stage, allowing them to avoid confronting the painful reality temporarily.

Anger: “Lam lam! (Nonsense!)”

Here, anger is directed outward, targeting external forces such as the media, the current administration, or anyone with an opposing view. This reaction serves as a coping mechanism, redirecting frustration to preserve loyalty and protect the image of their leader. This anger is less about the facts and more about the perceived injustice of the situation.

Bargaining: “It’s political!” “It’s kidnapping!”

Bargaining emerges as an attempt to regain control and make sense of the crisis. Clinging to conspiracy theories or alternative narratives, supporters seek to absolve Duterte, using these explanations to cope with uncertainty and guilt.

Depression: “Let us pray for him.”

This stage reflects a sense of resignation and powerlessness, intertwined with deep sadness. Supporters feel emotionally drained and defeated, and their hope for change is dimmed. The weight of the crisis bears heavily on their well-being, leaving them in a state of quiet despair.

Acceptance: “Thank you.”

Acceptance marks a turning point, where the harsh sting of reality no longer paralyzes but fosters clarity and resolve. This stage combines an acknowledgment of accountability with hope for spiritual healing. It reflects an understanding that justice is necessary, yet it also embraces the possibility of growth and repentance - a balanced perspective on moving forward while holding onto hope.

At first glance, “Thank you” might seem like a pat on the head or simple expression of gratitude. One reader commented: “Once you start, you can’t stop reading.” Another one even messaged privately: “You are truthful but also compassionate. Fact-based but you appeal also to an invitation of values and truth which is palatable to both sides of this issue.”

Yet, this “Thank you” transcends its surface meaning. It speaks to a deeper truth – one that echoes in the excruciating cries of families who lost loved ones to extrajudicial killings. Their pain is raw, their words unspeakable: “Sana mamatay ka.” “Sana mabulok ka sa piitan.”

But there is another truth, one found in the words of Jesus: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

This truth is echoed in Ezekiel 18:21-23, where God declares that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rejoices when they turn from their ways and live. 

For the thousands of families of victims like Kian, the 17-year-old boy who pleaded for his life to the police before being shot: “Tama na po, may exam pa ako bukas,” or, the father killed at seven in the morning in front of his daughter’s elementary school, this divine mercy may feel like an unfair privilege for Duterte. Yet, as in the parable of the prodigal son, God’s mercy surpasses human understanding of fairness.

The Catholic Daily Reflection illuminates this perspective:

“When it comes to the mercy of God, God’s generosity and goodness far exceed what is perceived as fair. And if we are to share in the abundant mercy of God, we too must learn to rejoice in His superabundant mercy.”

At this point, “Thank you” becomes a consecrated “Thank you, Lord” offering by the DDS to the One who truly deserves it.

Acceptance, then, is not merely about coming to terms with the past – it is about embracing justice as a path to moral balance and kindling hope for spiritual healing. It is a stage that transcends individual grief, offering redemption not only to DDS but to all Filipinos, including Duterte himself.

Even Vice President Sara Duterte seems to have reached this Acceptance stage when she declared: ”Sabi niya, ‘Ipapasa-Diyos ko na yan lahat. Kung anong mangyari sa buhay ko, so be it’.” May this serve as a guiding light for DDS, leading them not only toward justice but also toward the redemption that, by God’s grace, can heal our beloved Philippines.

Picture this: a lively morning at Jollibee, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of twenty Filipino customers. You approach them with a single question: “What is your reaction to today’s headline – Duterte dedicates his life to God inside his cell at The Hague?”

The room falls silent, not out of disbelief, but out of a shared sense of awe and reflection. Some smile faintly, moved by the possibility of redemption; others nod solemnly, acknowledging the profound weight of accountability met with grace.

In that moment, the bustling restaurant becomes a microcosm of a nation beginning to heal – where justice and mercy intertwine, and hope for spiritual renewal transcends the divides of the past.

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DUTERTE'S ICC TRIAL: THE TRUTH THAT WILL TRULY "BRING HIM HOME"

“Hello, Raymond! Here in Europe, there are many protests against the arrest of the former president.” Mario, my friend, messaged me from Belgium.

The message stirred a memory buried deep within – a soul-stirring image of flags waving in unity. It was 1986, when the People Power Revolution (EDSA) unfolded, marking the “best of times” for the Philippines on the world stage. I recall reading an international paper about a handful of Filipinos receiving a pat on the back from a New York taxi driver. The world was watching, and for once, it was applauding.

People Power Revolution historic scenes

The People Power Revolution was a monumental event resonating globally, inspiring peaceful movements against oppressive regimes. Its concept of nonviolent resistance and mass mobilization became a blueprint for change in several countries.

In South Korea, the June Democratic Uprising in 1987 mirrored the EDSA approach, leading to the end of military rule and the establishment of democratic reforms. In Eastern Europe, the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia showcased the power of unity against authoritarianism. Indonesia’s Reformasi movement in 1998, which led to the resignation of President Suharto, drew inspiration from EDSA’s emphasis on collective action. Thailand’s, 1992 Black May protests against military rule echoed the principles of nonviolent resistance seen in the Philippines.

While no direct evidence links EDSA to the Tiananmen Square protests, the imagery of a lone man standing resolutely before a tank resonates with the iconic scenes of Filipino civilians kneeling in prayer before military tanks. Both became enduring global symbols of nonviolent resistance, epitomizing the courage that defined the wave of democratic movements during the transformative 1980s.

EDSA Revolution became a blueprint for several countries

Fast forward to today, and the question lingers: would the ongoing protests against the arrest of former President Duterte pay tribute to Filipinos on the world stage, much like EDSA did? Back then, the world tipped its hat to Filipino courage for ousting a dictator in a rare bloodless revolution. Now, as Duterte’s ICC trial looms on September 23, 2025, the stage is set for another chapter in Philippine history.

Picture the scene: the solemn ICC courtroom, its blue and white emblem prominently displayed. Judges sit elevated on the bench, embodying neutrality, while prosecutors and defense lawyers occupy separate rows below, flanked by legal assistants and advisors. Duterte sits in a glass-enclosed dock, his demeanor a storm of emotions – composure, anxiety, or defiance?

The star witness, Edgar Matobato, takes the stand. Seated before a microphone, he begins his testimony in his local dialect, recounting harrowing details of events allegedly orchestrated by Duterte.

(Content warning: The following abridged narrative, excerpted and condensed from Matobato’s 49-page testimony at the Senate hearing on September 15, 2016, may be deeply upsetting.)

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Ako si Edgar Matobato, nakatira sa Tamayong, Calinan, Davao City. Pinanganak ako June 11, 1959. Ang edad ko ngayon, 57.

ICC star witness Edgar Matobato

1988. Umpisa ng pag-mayor ni Mayor Duterte, kinuha ako sa Cafgu, dinala ako sa Davao City at nagtatag kami ng grupo ng Lambada Boys. Pitong tao lang, one team. Ang trabaho namin ay pumatay.

1993. Dumami na kami. Kasama na namin ang mga rebel returnees at pulis. Binomba ang cathedral ng Davao City. Umorder naman si Mayor Duterte na massacre-in yung mga mosque ng mga Muslim. Hinati kami ng tatlo. Ako ang tumapon ng granada sa Bankerohan mosque. Naka-timing lang na walang simba.

2002. Kinidnap namin si Saly Macdom, foreigner. Dinala namin kay Artur Lascañas ang aming team leader sa DDS o Davao Death Squad. Dinala naming sa opisina ng PAOCTF, ang pinuno si Sir Dela Rosa. Dinala namin sa Ma-a quarry. Binigti muna. Kinuhaan ng damit, sinunog, tapos chinop-chop.

2010. Pinakidnap ni Mayor Duterte yung mga bodyguards ni Prospero Nograles. Apat. Dinala namin sa Island Garden City of Samal. Inisa-isa namin binigti, tapos nilagyan ang katawan ng hollow block, tapos biniyak iyong tiyan, tapos tinapon namin sa laot.

Sa Davao, ang operation naming pagpatay, palaging may baril. Nilalagyan ng .38 para may ebidensiya na lumaban. Ang isang pulis may reserba iyan na baril para kung merong mapatay.

Sa Davao City, nag-umpisa ang patayan since 1988 hanggang 2013. Siguro ang napatay namin mga isang libo mahigit.

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Matobato’s testimony paints a chilling picture of the Davao Death Squad’s operations, detailing acts of violence that spanned decades. His words are a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked power.

Another star witness, Arturo Lascañas, steps forward with his 12-page Affidavit, revealing truths he once denied out of fear for his loved ones. His opening lines are a confession of regret and a commitment to accountability, shedding light on the inner workings of the Davao Death Squad and Duterte’s alleged role in its operations.

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ICC star witness Arturo Lascañas

I, Arturo Bariquit Lascañas, Filipino married, of age, a resident of Davao City, Philippines, after being duly sworn, hereby depose and state that:

1. I am a retired officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP). I retired in December 2016 with the rank of Senior Police Officer III (SPO3). Throughout my career in the police, I was stationed in Davao City.

2. I was one of those named by EDGAR MATOBATO when he testified before the Senate in September 2016. I was also one of those who was summoned to appear before the Senate in October 2016.

3. When I appeared before the Senate, I denied the accusation made by EDGAR MATOBATO about the extrajudicial killings in Davao City and the Davao Death Squad. I was forced to deny what MATOBATO said, even if most of it was true, because I was afraid for the safety and security of my loved ones in Davao City. The truth is that most of what MATOBATO told the Senate is true. It’s just that MATOBATO was only a foot soldier and had limited knowledge of what really happened because the operations were compartmentalized.

4. I am now ready to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in this affidavit.

5. I was a major player in the group that came to be known as the Davao Death Squad or DDS. I was present when then MAYOR RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE of Davao City ordered the killing of numerous men and women, and gave us reward money after we executed them. I was responsible for the killing of many men and women, and at least one child, upon the instructions of MAYOR DUTERTE

6. I regret what I did and I know I have to answer for all my misdeeds before the people, the law, and before God.

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Jesus words are liberating: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

A prayerful Rodrigo Duterte

Matobato and Lascañas have found freedom in telling the truth. Will Duterte find his liberation by doing the same? Only by speaking the whole truth and nothing but the truth at the ICC can he truly “come home” in God’s time. May he find the courage to do so.

As Filipinos, are we as proud now as we were during the People Power Revolution?

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A LETTER TO DUTERTE SUPPORTER MY FRIEND

 

When I watched former president Rodrigo Duterte appear in the ICC pre-trial session, I saw not the commanding figure of his presidency, but an old man, frail and burdened. His physical state betrayed his vulnerability, while his demeanor reflected an internal storm – psycho-emotional turmoil and a soul tender with unspoken pain. It was a poignant reminder for me, as a writer, to tread gently. Words, after all, carry weight.

As I pen this piece, I know the responsibility of writing about him. The cares and worries of his loved ones and supporters linger in the background, and my words have the power to either deepen his wounds or offer a lifeline. In these fragile moments, I find guidance in scripture, particularly in the words of Jesus I read this morning, as follows:

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

Reflecting on this, I recall two pertinent ATABAY articles I wrote, both inspired by my scriptural readings and both eerily foreshadowed the state of political affairs. The first, titled Letter To Inday Sara Supporter Who Is Also My Friend, served as a fair warning to a friend about Sara’s predicament upon joining Bongbong Marcos’ party, as I wrote below:

“Bongbong is running under the umbrella of multiple parties with a throng of vested interests. Aiming now for the 2028 presidency is a horde of younger and ambitious breed of second-generation leaders emerging from a band of dynastic political clans embedded in Bongbong’s camp.”

The now-infamous terms “defunct UniTeam,” “tambaloslos,” and “impeachment” encapsulate the consequences of what I described as a Faustian bargain - a deal sacrificing immense moral value for power. The fallout is evident: existential regret (FPRRD: “Bakit ka tatakbong bise na alam mong lamang ka?”), isolation (headline: “As the impeachment process plays out, Sara Duterte is abandoned by her allies in Congress”), and chaos (live: Rodrigo Duterte under trial at ICC).

The second article, MIF & ICC: How Two Notices Reveal The Contradictions of PBBM’s Economic Vision, published on July 22, 2023, juxtaposed two conflicting messages: “Open for business” and “Leave us alone.” The former signaled the launch of the Maharlika Investment Fund to the international market. The latter reflected President Marcos’ defiance, as seen in the headline: "Marcos: PH ending all involvement with ICC.”

 

In January 26, 2025 ATABAY article, MIF & ICC: Two Sides of The Same Coin, I pointed out that rightly and not surprisingly, the latest developments have grabbed the headline: “Philippines to respond favorably if ICC seeks Interpol” – Reuters. The Philippines has decidedly figured out its contradiction, for sure, not because they read my ATABAY’s insight, lest, they would be deemed as procrastinators for the two-year lapse in opportunity. PBBM rationale: “This is what the international community expect of us.” Spot on.

Embedded in these articles, and Duterte’s recent arrest, is the theme of fear. Not the human fear Duterte once wielded to instill control, but a reverential fear. C. S. Lewis, in The Problem of Pain, describes this as “Dread” – a fear not of danger, but of the uncanny, the unknown. This Dread is palpable in Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa’s recent interview, where he deflected questions about the ICC with nervous humor, revealing a deeper unease.

“May kinatatakutan po ba kayo sa ICC? Sa tutuo lang”

“Karen, ikaw, hindi ka ba takot na mapasok sa kulungan?”

One wonders where Bato’s reply is coming from since the ICC facility of Duterte as shown to the public is designed to provide safe, secure, and humane conditions. The final exchange gave the clue away:

“May nagawa ba kayong… naniniwala kayong…” Davila asks.

“Ibang istorya yan… Huwag natin pag-usapan yan…” he cuts in.

Bato dreaded to open the Pandora’s box. It unveils fear that has to do with punishment. Such a lingering fear so spooks Bato that it even prompted him in seeking the Senate protection – a spineless act cutting down his muscular frame to wimpy size.

In my ATABAY article Duterte Arrest & The ICC: A Bitter Pill To Healing, I shared the cryptic message formed by optical illusion reflected by a pile of stones: “The stones will cry out.” Drawn from Jesus words in the Bible (Luke 19:40): “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” Ominously, “they” appears to be the silenced victims of Duterte’s bloody drug war. No wonder Bato has been frightened out of his wits.

Yet, this fear need not be paralyzing. There is a path forward – a reverential fear that leads to wisdom, as Proverbs 9:10 reminds us: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

This wisdom is exemplified in the transformation of Charles Colson, as recounted in his book Born Again.

“In one sense I had lost everything - power, prestige, freedom, even my identity. In the summer of 1974, as a prisoner number 23226 at Maxwell Federal Prison Camp, I stared at the screen of a small black-and -white television set. Along with the rest of the country, I watched as President Richard Nixon, whom I had served faithfully for three-and-a-half years, resigned his office. It was one of the most desolate experiences of my life.

“But in another sense, I had found everything, all that really matters: a personal relationship with the living God. My life had been dramatically transformed by Jesus Christ.”

The above words were taken from the Foreword of his book which, interestingly, was the same book that Ninoy Aquino’s mother sent him while in prison. Colson writes:

“One night Aquino knelt in his jail and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Overcome with grief for his anger toward God, he begged forgiveness. His viewpoints, his life, most of all his bitterness – all changed. He had a sense that his life had suddenly moved into a different channel with another purpose.”

Duterte himself has admitted to reading the Bible, particularly Ecclesiastes 3, which begins:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.”

Perhaps, like Ninoy, Duterte’s time has come – not to die, but to be born again.

To my dear friend and Duterte supporter, let us pray that your “Tatay” finds his path to redemption and healing. Just as Ninoy’s legacy transformed through faith, so too can your Tatay’s story find a new chapter – one of grace, wisdom, and renewal.

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DUTERTE ARREST & THE ICC: A BITTER PILL TO HEALING

 

Former Philippine leader Duterte arrested on an ICC warrant over drug killings - Headline

Reigniting my interest triggered by the above headline, I revisited my ATABAY archive. I stumbled upon The Rime of the Ancient Mariner in my February 21, 2023, article International Criminal Court: PBBM’s Albatross.

In the poem, an albatross follows a ship setting out to sea, symbolizing good fortune. But the mariner, in a fateful act, shoots the albatross with a crossbow – an act that will curse the ship and its crew to endure terrible misfortunes. Unable to speak up for their blame due to lack of water, the crew ties the dead bird around the mariner’s neck as a sign of his guilt – a haunting metaphor for an inescapable burden.

If we reimagine this metaphor, replacing the albatross with the ICC, the ship with the Philippines, the mariner with President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM), the crossbow with non-cooperation in the ICC’s investigation of Duterte’s extrajudicial killings, and the crew with the Filipino people, a cascade of questions emerges:

Will PBBM’s cooperation with the ICC bring good fortune to the Philippines, rather than a burden?

Does the crew’s silent blame mirror the disunity among Filipinos today?

What do the “curse” and “terrible misfortunes” signify in our national context?

And what does the “lack of water” mean in a country surrounded by it?

As a college professor then, I often ended my lectures with a familiar refrain: “For your homework…”

So, here’s your homework: reflect on this metaphor in light of the breaking news about the ICC’s arrest of Duterte. Consider its implications for our nation and its people.

The following creative piece was taken from my October 21, 2023, ATABAY article Coffee Shop Chat: ICC - A Bitter Pill for PH To Heal, and retouched a bit below:

Peter: Morning, guys! How’s everyone doing?

Paul: All good here. You?

Mary: Same here, thank God.

Peter: Honestly, I’m still fuming about what happened under Duterte. Did you see the COA report? P19 billion in secret funds during his term. Nineteen billion! And not one of us - 115 million Filipinos – knows where it went.

Mary: Nineteen billion. That’s 19 followed by nine zeros. It’s mind-boggling.

Paul: I read somewhere that P1 billion in 1,000-peso bills would stack up to a 36-story skyscraper. So, for P19 billion, we’re talking 19 skyscrapers of cash.

Peter: And to make it worse, Duterte admitted he used that sort of money to hire assassins when he was mayor.

Mary: Pet, I get it, but his time is over. We’ve got a fresh start now.

Paul: Mary’s right.  Let’s not get stuck in the past. We need to focus on what’s ahead.

Peter: I wish I could, but, I can’t just “move on.” Thousands were killed in his war on drugs. Corruption, abuse of power, attacks on democracy and human rights – it’s too much to brush aside.

Mary: I hear you, Pet. I was furious too. But we can’t change what’s done. What matters is what we do now and in the future.

Paul: Exactly. Don’t lose hope, Pet. There’s still a way forward for our country.

Peter: And what’s that, Paul? Tell me.

Paul: The International Criminal Court. The ICC.

Peter: The ICC? What’s that?

Paul: It’s a permanent international court that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of grave crimes - genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. It’s about ending impunity, promoting accountability, and fostering justice and peace.

Peter: Sounds promising. How does it work?

Paul: The ICC doesn’t replace national courts; it complements them. It steps in when local systems can’t or won’t prosecute these crimes.

Peter: So, how can the ICC help us heal from Duterte’s bloody legacy?

Paul: By doing a lot, actually:

1. Investigating and prosecuting those most responsible for the crimes.

2. Providing reparations and recognition to victims and their families.

3. Exposing the truth and debunking the lies about what happened.

4. Punishing the guilty while protecting the innocent from further harm.

5. Sending a clear message that no one is above the law, deterring future abuses.

Peter: Wow! Paul. That’s… a lot to take in. But it makes sense. Thanks for breaking it down.

Paul: The ICC is our chance to restore trust in the rule of law and human rights. It’s a step toward healing – for our country and people.

Peter: I get it now. The ICC isn’t just about justice; it’s about hope.

Mary: Same here. My perspective on the ICC has shifted too.

Paul: I hope we’re not the only ones. If we can be part of the change, part of the movement to heal our country, that’s our duty as Filipinos. It’s our way of saying we believe in hope, second chances, and change. God bless us all – and God bless the Philippines. 

The following excerpt wrapped up my January 27, 2024, ATABAY article ICC Cryptic Message: The Stones Will Cry Out, and polished below:

As I scrolled through my feed, a post by Jingjing, an FB friend, caught my eye. It featured a peculiar photo of a pile of stones, accompanied by the question: “Can you figure out what it says?”

ICC cryptic message: The stones will cry out

The post had sparked a flurry of responses, one of which said, “Jing, it gives me a headache.” Fair enough – it was an optical illusion, the kind that teases and tricks the eye. But some sharp-eyed viewers cracked the code: “The stones will cry out.”

The phrase, as it turns out, is drawn from Jesus’ words in the Bible (Luke 19:40): “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stone would cry out.”

And in that moment, the metaphor became strikingly clear. The “they” in this context could only be the silenced victims of Duterte’s bloody drug war. Their voices, though stifled, cannot be erased. Like the stones in the photo, their cries for justice will find a way to be heard.

This is where the ICC steps in – not only as a court but as a vessel of hope. It promises accountability, truth, and a future where the rule of law prevails. It is a path to healing for our country and for us, Filipinos, a way to confront the shadows of the past and move toward a brighter horizon.

In the end, justice has a way of finding its voice. And when it does, it will not be silenced – not by power, not by fear, not by time. The stones will cry out, and the world will listen.

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Head photos courtesy of Rappler & Getty Images

Still photos courtesy of Getty Images, iStock, Philstar, Facebook, & Shutterstock

THE REAL THREAT TO AMERICA? IT'S NOT IMMIGRATION

 

In a recent speech, President Donald Trump delivered a tirade filled with grievances and self-congratulations, echoing his long-standing rhetoric on immigration. His claims, such as the assertion that “hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings a month” bring in “murderers, drug dealers, gang members, and people from mental institutions,” continue to stoke fear and resentment among his supporters.

Yet, as Jacob Stowell, an associate professor of criminology, points out, the data tells a different story. Crime rates have not surged; in fact, they have continued to decline even as immigration has grown.

Taken from the transcript of U.S. President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress

This persistent scapegoating of immigrants is a classic tactic from the totalitarian playbook, reminiscent of historical examples like Hitler’s targeting of Jews or Duterte’s vilification of drug addicts. By uniting his base against a common enemy, Trump diverts attention from deeper, systemic issues. But in doing so, he barks up the wrong tree. The real threat to America is not immigration – it’s the erosion of the work ethic that once defined the nation.

Decades ago, Chuck Colson and Jack Eckerd warned of this decline in their book Why America Doesn’t Work. They described a new generation of workers characterized by a get-away-with-what-you-can attitude and a lack of commitment to quality and hard work. This cultural shift, they cautioned, would plague future employers and undermine the nation’s economic foundation.

Fast forward to today, and their warning rings true. The decline in work ethic has become a pressing issue, overshadowed by misplaced blame on immigrants. To understand the distinction between these two narratives, consider the story of Rafael Santos, a Filipino immigrant whose journey exemplifies the resilience and contributions of migrants to America portrayed in the book The Other Americans: How Immigrants Renew Our Country, Our Economy, And Our Values by Joel Millman.

Santos grew up in poverty in La Paz de Tarlac, Philippines. At eighteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, facing both opportunities and discrimination. He explains,

“Because I wasn’t a citizen I had limited security clearance. Now it’s different, you do your basic training, you can do anything: seaman’s apprentice, yeoman, corpsman. But not in my case. I did what the Filipinos and black Americans did: serve food and cook.”

Half of Santos’s fellow recruits at the Navy Steward School were like him, young “Flips” from the islands. After basic training, he was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. That was in 1961. Traveling by bus to his new duty station, he saw something he never could have imagined back home. He says,

“I thought America was heaven on earth. But by the time I passed Texas, the bathrooms were separate. The black people wanted me to go to the white bathroom, but I am not white! The white people said to use the black one. That is the joke for Filipinos: we are white and black at the same time.”

Santos spent twenty years in the military, mostly cleaning officers’ rooms and serving meals on ships and bases. From Jacksonville, he went to Bremerton, Washington, then to Hawaii and back to California. Along the way, he managed officers’ clubs and an enlisted men’s mess. Everywhere he worked, “Flips” like Santos could expect to be, if not exactly scorned, then not exactly accepted, either. He reveals,

“You were there, but you entered through the service entrance. You don’t use the front door.”

By 1974, he had become a desk job, clerk in the Navy’s human resources division in Alameda. Ironically, his assignment was conducting surveys on military race relations. After retiring, Santos took a job with the postal service, availing himself of the veteran’s preference in civil service hires. It’s the same way hundreds of Filipino stewards and their families lifted themselves from greasy kitchens into California’s burgeoning Asian middle class.

Santos spent five years with the post office and launched a catering business. He settled outside Vallejo, where Rafael’s Steak House and Bar became a popular nightspot for Filipino Americans, as well as for the servicemen at nearby Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

He also bought two homes, and put four children through college, where they learned to use words, like “paradigm,” that mean nothing to him after a lifetime in a kitchen. He says,

”Because we are not citizens, we are brought to do the jobs that citizens don’t like. For me, it was a blessing in disguise. I learned my trade and prospered.”

Indeed, it was a blessing in disguise. Santos referred to “it” as his job as a migrant. Unknowingly, in essence, “it” refers to him as a migrant – together with the millions of other migrants – as a “blessing in disguise” to America.

Nonwhite immigrants are not a threat to American culture for it does not have a definable ethnicity. Millman asserts,

“America has been Latin, absorbing half of Mexico before 1850. America became Asian later in that same century, bringing Hawaii (and for several decades, the Philippines) into its territory. In short, years before the mass of migrants began arriving from Southern and Eastern Europe, America already had millions of citizens who traced their roots to Africa, Mesoamerica, and the Far East. Many had been here for generations.”

Instead of being a threat, migrants should have been understood and recognized as a “wake-up call” – the phrase Trump declared when the Chinese start-up DeepSeek had shocked the world with an AI breakthrough.

Trump says China's DeepSeek AI "should be a wake-up call"

Instead of vilifying immigrants, we should look to them, not as a “replacement,” but as models for revitalizing the American work ethic. As Michael Hammer writes in his book Beyond Reengineering:

“The wages of work can be paid in a variety of currencies… But there is another reward that we reap all too rarely today. We need our work to have transcendent meaning…It should make us feel that we are contributing to the world, that we are helping to make it a better place where we are somehow leaving a legacy.

“Work should help us focus not on ourselves but on others, the beneficiaries of our work, and, in so doing, free us from the relentless focus on our concerns that eventually leaves the taste of ashes in our mouths.”

What a befitting conclusion in light of the celebration of the Ash Wednesday tradition.

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Head collage photos courtesy of Pinterest, Shutterstock, & Canva

Still photos courtesy of AP News, Inkl, Shutterstock, Internet Archive, & Adobe Stock

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: CORRUPTION AND ISABELA BRIDGE COLLAPSE

 

“Newly opened P1.2 billion Isabela bridge collapses” – PhilStar Global

The construction of the Isabela bridge began in November 2014, with an initial completion date set for 2019. However, after undergoing retrofitting, the bridge was officially completed on February 1, at a total cost of P1.25 billion. Despite the significant investment, a section of the newly completed bridge has collapsed, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into possible corruption linked to the project.

The Isabela governor attempted to calm speculations, dismissing claims of corruption as the proverbial elephant in the room.

The Elephant In The Room

The expression the elephant in the room, according to the Oxford Languages dictionary, refers to a “major problem or controversial issue which is obviously present but is avoided as a subject for discussion.” Wikipedia adds that “everyone knows about it but no one mentions or wants to discuss it because it makes some uncomfortable.”  In this case, corruption is the elephant in the room.

Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2024, the Philippines scored 33 points out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. This index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be, with score ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Comparing the Corruption Indices among ASEAN countries:

Country      Score

Singapore 84

Malaysia         50

Vietnam         40

Indonesia 37

Thailand         34

Philippines 33

Laos 33

Cambodia 21

Myanmar         16

The Philippines finds itself at the bottom of the pack, alongside Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Corruption Losses

The World Bank estimated in 2002 that the Philippines had lost $48 billion (P2.7 trillion @ $1=P56) to corruption from 1977 to 1997. This equates to an average annual loss of P224 billion, an amount that could have funded the construction of four-lane superhighway networks along the entire Philippine coastline.

Corrupt Culture

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong exposed last year the extent of corruption in government projects, such as the Isabela bridge, where up to 70% of the total project funds are siphoned off by politicians, agencies, and committees before any meaningful work begins, He shockingly broke down the distribution as follows:

Politicians: 25 to 40%

VAT + Insurance: 7 + 1%

DPWH:        10 to 15%

Bids & Awards Com: 2%

Contingency: 3%

As a result, only about 30% of the original budget is left for the actual project, leading to several adverse consequences:

1. Substandard Construction. Contractors may cut corners to save costs and increase profits, resulting in projects that do not meet the required standards for materials and construction practices. This compromises the structural integrity and durability of the structure, increasing the risk of accidents and failures, as seen with the Isabela bridge.

2. Inflated Costs. Funds intended for high-quality construction are diverted to bribery, kickbacks, and embezzlement, leaving insufficient resources for proper execution. This results in compromised quality and increased vulnerability to failures. Notably, the Isabela bridge was first funded with a budget of P640 million, but an alleged defect in its foundation led to the release of an additional P200 million for retrofitting works.

3. Delayed Projects. Corruption can cause delays due to mismanagement and inefficiencies leading to poorly executed construction that may not meet safety standards and pose risks to users. The construction of the Isabela bridge, for instance, was supposed to be completed in 2019 resulting in a six-year delay based on its original completion schedule 

Effective Measures Against Corruption

To prevent corruption in government project implementation, several effective measures can be taken:

1. Transparent Procurement Processes. Implementing transparent and competitive bidding process helps ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit rather than favoritism or bribery. Publicly disclosing all procurement information can enhance accountability. An illustration of the lack of such measures is highlighted in an Inquirer editorial:

“As bombshells go, it wasn’t exactly earth-shaking, but one that gave clarity to lingering questions on the political firestorm that rocked the country two years ago. That fateful order – a presidential directive [by then-President Rodrigo Duterte] as it now appears - was the ‘original sin’ believed to have set the stage for the anomalous deal of plunderous proportions.

“The presidential order allowed little-known company called Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., with a paid-up capital of P625,000, to corner pandemic contracts worth billions of pesos as facilitated by PS-DBM. All told, Pharmally would secure, between March 20 and July 2021, deals that totaled P11 billion to supply DOH with personal protective equipment sets, face masks, face shields, COVID-19 test kits, and other medical items.”

Transparency International noted that as the Philippines slumped to a historic low in its corruption index, freedom of expression also declined under then-President Duterte, making it difficult for citizens to speak up against corrupt practices.

2. Whistleblower Protection. Encouraging and protecting whistleblowers who report corruption can help uncover and address corrupt practices. Establishing confidential reporting mechanisms and ensuring that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation is crucial.

3. Public Participation. Involving the public and civil society organizations in monitoring construction projects can enhance transparency and accountability. Public participation can help ensure that projects are executed in the best interest of the taxpayers.

Ill-gotten Wealth

Speaking of the elephant in the room, here’s the big one from Wikipedia:

“Estimates of the ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH OF THE MARCOS FAMILY (underscoring mine) vary, with most sources accepting a figure of about US$5-10 billion for wealth acquired in the last years of the Marcos [Sr.] administration.”

It is worth noting that the “last years of the Marcos [Sr.] administration” fell within the World Bank corruption study period from 1977 to 1997. In other words, the US$5-10billion ill-gotten wealth was part and parcel of the US$48 billion which the Philippines lost to corruption.

One cannot mention the US$48 billion corruption loss without citing the US$5-10 billion ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. Otherwise, such a mention will make some uncomfortable – a subject which is personally, socially, and politically embarrassing.

Is it any wonder that the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission was abolished?

Recently VP Sara stated that Filipinos have the right to be mad at [President Bongbong Marcos] administration for corruption. Although this criticism is too mild compared with her lashing out at the Marcoses - P*t*ng*n* ninyong lahat – in an expletive-filled press conference last year, the Palace raised a question for VP Sara that grabbed headlines: “Why vocal vs corruption now when you kept quiet during your father’s watch?”

Without a doubt, that redounds to the idiomatic expression “the pot calling the kettle black.”

I concluded my July 23, 2022 ATABAY article Corruption: The Elephant In The Room as follows:

“The coupling of ‘corruption’ with the ‘ill-gotten wealth’ tailor-made the duo as ‘the elephant in the room’ which no one wants to talk about today. World Bank’s Wolfensohn said,

“And when they get fed up with [corruption]. something happens. And until they do, not a lot happens.”

Content & editing put together in collaboration with Microsoft Bing Ai-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of PhilStar

Still photos courtesy of James Fallows, Inquirer, Guinness Book of Records, & John-Cris Gazzingan Cabasag