By Joshua Corcuera
When we were young, we were taught to be honest, to be truthful, not to be a liar or a cheat; hopefully, we apply these lessons in real life including in choosing our country’s leaders.
Frustratingly, some people no longer care about the values of truth and integrity—values that, regardless of one’s political or religious beliefs, were instilled in each and every human being. After all, no one wants to live in a world of lies or in a society wherein deceit reigns supreme.
We live in a polarized society—one where divisions are deep and bitter, where hatred is becoming normal, where people with kindness and character are being attacked, where intellectuals are being shamed. Ironically, most people in our country claim that we must emphasize values by emphasizing good manners and right conduct in schools. Yet some of the very same people pushing for such are the ones who share false information intentionally, destroy the reputation and clean image of people they dislike, and promote fear and hatred.
This is not only happening in the Philippines, our country is part of a larger global trend where people are becoming more divided and more polarized than ever before.
In the United States, facts backed up by science are being disputed. Last year, many were ignoring face mask mandates, now some are campaigning actively against vaccines—despite the fact that they are safe and effective in keeping us safe from COVID-19. The division of race is also clear in America, where people of color are systematically being discriminated against and are threatened and attacked by violent thugs. The dissemination of false information in the West is likewise fast with some believing that the Earth is flat.
Back home in the Philippines, historical distortion is being done to manipulate reality to favor someone. Millions believe in such facts out of fear, hatred, and fanaticism. It was August 1899 when Mabini asked Aguinaldo, “kaya na ba ng Pilipino na marinig ang katotohanan nang hindi mapipikon?” More than 120 years later, the answer is in the negative. One can see that false information is created and disseminated in social media and in the streets—evidence that some, or many, Filipinos cannot stand the truth.
Throughout world history, rulers, emperors, kings, and dictators have done anything—to the fullest extent they can—to distort harsh realities to their favor. They have spread propaganda and scared their opponents and ordinary people who can stand up against them. Yet they failed. Why? Because they are humans—mortals who are subject to fallibilities and their incapacity to accept such will merely backfire towards them. In the end, truth and integrity shall be overcome in one way or another.
In these interesting times, dear reader, remain vigilant of what’s happening around you. At all times, whether in crisis or in normalcy, in wealth or in poverty, in pride or in sorrow, the values of truth and integrity must be upheld, protected, and shared to the next generation. Only by doing so can we be free from our chains that preclude us from enjoying the good things the world has to offer.
