HIDALGO, ALYANNAH M.

1LM4
One day in senior high school, I went to the library and randomly picked a book to kill
my boredom. The book I read was about the cognitive unfolding in the Philippines as discussed
by the late Dr. Florentino Hornedo. It was said that the cognitive unfolding in the Philippines is a
result of the native consciousness’ dialogue influx of ideas and ideals from outside the country.
Through interaction with these ideas and ideals from outside, Filipino consciousness developed
and morphed into one that is a mix of native culture and foreign influence.
Politically speaking, what comes to my mind is the extraordinary rise and win of
President Rodrigo Duterte. The people of the Philippines had long been used to elite rule
claiming to be populist. It had become almost second nature for Filipinos to elect and support
an elitist or charismatic leader. One could argue it had become a part of the political culture
and consciousness of the Filipinos to tolerate and support such leadership.
We hoped for change, we expected a true populist government. But then, here comes a
tough-talking mayor from Davao City, promising a bloody crackdown on illegal drugs and crime
during his term. Such rhetoric was not something that the consciousness and culture of the
country was used to. He did not speak in the fluent, elite language which is prevalent among
politicians. Yet, Mayor Duterte ascended to the presidency despite his unusual rhetoric which is
not something that the collective Filipino consciousness was used to.
All of President Duterte’s predecessors save Joseph Estrada had come from elite families
in the Philippines. How, then, could such a man rise to power? Was it by accident? Certainly, it
was not by accident. It was the result of the progression and development of the Filipino
consciousness. Some voted according to his charisma or the bandwagon that happened and
some, being woke decided according to the different political and social issues our country and
world faced that time. The rise of Duterte and his ideology is partially the fault of the influx of
foreign ideas and ideals.
The rise of Duterteism is not a local phenomenon. It was brought about by continuous
dialogue among Filipinos, intensified by social media’s role as the bridge between the country
and what was happening in the world outside. His supporters would be willing to die for him,
and what stands out most is that they wholeheartedly support the administration’s crackdown
which has killed at least 13,000 drug users and pushers.
Support for the administration is seen in the regular polls conducted by different polling
stations. A recent Pew Research Center poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos
continue to support the President’s war on drugs, despite the numerous killings that have
occurred. How did such a phenomenon come about?
The answer lies in what’s happening in many other democracies around the world. The
rise of populist thought among the different peoples of the democracies of the world could help
in explaining the rise of Rodrigo Duterte, which the people thought that could also happen to
the Philippines.
In June 16, 2015, businessman Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the United
States presidency. Within days, Trump surged to first place in the surveys among Republican
candidates. Over a year later, Trump won the Republican Party nomination and eventually, the
United States presidency. How did the rise of Trump come about? He promised a lot of things,
same goes for Duterte.
First, the United States’ economic problems. Unemployment, particularly in Rust Belt
region (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio – all states which Trump won) worsened.
This issue led Trump to win states which Republican candidates had not won for three decades.
Second, illegal immigration. Illegal immigration in the United States had gone out of control and
Trump preyed on the issue by promising a wall in America’s southern border with Mexico.
Third, foreign policy. The United States foreign policy failure in the Middle East which led to the
rise of Sunni extremism was used by Trump as another election issue.
What happened in the United States was basically a rejection of traditional,
establishment politics. It event in which people woke up and rejected the status quo in favor of
change. A similar event occurred in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2016, when the British
people voted to leave the European Union, another rejection of traditionalist establishment
politics. Filipinos want the same change, hoping that the Philippines will develop much more
just like the other countries.
 Not all change can be executed perfectly. Of course, regrets happened. America
somewhat regrets Trump’s win. Great Britain is still adjusting from their exit. Now, honestly
speaking, we are suffering because of Duterte.
The events I mentioned help explain the win of President Duterte. The current
phenomenon at hand, the rise of Duterte, is a product of the influx of foreign ideals along with
the rejection of establishment and traditional politics in the country. It is not just a bunch of
angry people dissatisfied with the previous government’s response to the drug and crime
problems. Nor is it a group of uneducated people implored by Mocha Uson. It is about Filipino
people in thirst of change, in thirst of a true populist government that they will do everything to
achieve this even voting for an unusual charismatic leader.
It is a result of the worldwide wave which is the rise of populism which we expect to
happen also in our country. Dr. Hornedo’s idea of cognitive unfolding can be seen in the
Philippines, and by extension, the world today. The consciousness that has developed through
this unfolding is the rejection of traditional establishment politics. People want leaders who
represent change, they want a break from traditional politics. This charismatic factor during
elections is very alarming. Filipinos tend to rely on the bizarre characteristics the official have
just to be of the same level to other countries. We trust those officials promising to solve a big
issue which in reality is hard to achieve. We vote overlooking the real root why our country is
suffering such us bureaucracy, nepotism, graft and corruption.
Politics and governance should not only be taught to Humanities and Social Sciences
strand. It should be a core subject to all students because this subject should be a general
knowledge for all. Political education for all should be a government platform because this is a
factor that will help our nation improve. A wise vote can be a game changer. Nothing will
happen if we continue to rely on officials that just won because of his charisma, flowery words,
and bandwagon. It is time for the real change, and the change we deserve. Let’s choose the
right people.
 References:
Buendia, R. (1993). Colonialism and Elitism in Philippine Political Development: Assessing the
Roots of Underdevelopment. Philippine Journal of PublicAdministration, 37(2), 141-175.
Retrieved January 28, 2019, from http://lynchlibrary.pssc.org.ph
Hornedo, F. (2001). Ideas and Ideals Essays in Filipino Cognitive History. University of Santo Tomas
Pub. House.
Huang, E. (2017, September 22). The overwhelming majority of Filipinos still think Duterte's the
man. Retrieved January 28, 2019, from https://qz.com/1084519/pew-survey-the-philippines-
overwhelming-support-duterte-and-his-war-on-drugs-but-waver-on-the-us-and-china/
Wheeler, A. H. (2019, January 21). Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU.
Retrieved January 28, 2019, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887
Zurcher, A. (2016, November 09). US Election 2016 Results: Five reasons Donald Trump won.
Retrieved January 28, 2019, from https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37918303