While political wars echo inside the four corners of the Senate, the real battle lies in the local markets where prices continue to rise at their highest while wages remain stagnant, in local homes and industries where energy crisis is severely felt, and in local Filipino homes where criminal threat is always feared.
Impeachment Trial vs. Everyday Struggles
Although the Philippine government's move to formally convene for the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte on May 18, 2026 may be deemed as one of the greatest historical pivots in the country, ordinary Filipinos were left to question whether this move is the optimal choice or a mere tactic to cover up the current state of the nation.
Outside the halls of the Senate, problems like inflation, economic and energy crisis, not to mention the threat to safety, are what the ordinary and marginalized Filipinos face. As the government pours its time and effort into political wars, ordinary Filipinos ask: when will leaders stop prioritizing their own political survival and start prioritizing the needs of the people?
A Series of Scandals
From the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the scandalous flood control projects, endless corruption issues, alleged bags of money received by officials, and the current impeachment trial of Vice President Sara, the country has consecutively faced numerous political issues and scandals in less than two years.
While the world has kept its eye on Philippine politics, it failed to focus on the reality of life lived by ordinary Filipinos. They bravely face challenges brought by inflation and energy crisis, leading to rising oil and food prices amidst stagnant wages. Although life seems unbearable, their ability to navigate adversity without government help has successfully carried them through.
Rising Crime Rates
Moreover, the current rise in criminal offenses such as rapes, murders, drug abuse, thefts, and various accidents are somehow buried within local premises, unseen by national leaders. While these crimes continue to rise, some government officials dare say the country is safer nowadays. I beg to differ.
Nevertheless, it would have been much appreciated if government officials made time to visit slums in Manila or victims of natural disasters in Cebu. It would have been much appreciated if they used all resources for the benefit of the Filipino people rather than wasting time inside the Senate discussing their own political survival. If only they would realize that at the end of the day, the rise and fall of their political journey still lies in the hands of the ordinary Filipino.
