Can a Filipino stand the truth without feeling resentment?

By Joshua Corcuera

 

In the 2018 historical film, Goyo ang Batang Heneral, there was a particular scene where Aguinaldo conversed with Mabini. It was August 1899, when the president went to Rosales, Pangasinan to offer the sublime paralytic or dakilang lumpo to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The exchange of words was calm, and at the same time candid and straightforward. At some point during their conversation, Mabini asked: Kaya na ba ng Pilipino na marinig ang katotohanan nang hindi mapipikon? 

Fast forward over 121 years later to 2020 and the same question remains relevant in Philippine society. Are we Filipinos prepared to hear the truth without feeling resentment? Without any hard feelings?

Ultimately, society would be the one who would decide on this matter — not only based on their words, but based on the implication of their actions as well. Obviously, we would want to hear the truth because, after all, who would listen to mere lies?

However, going back to the question asked earlier, it’s easy for anyone to answer that they’re willing to hear the truth. But could the same be said when such truth is thought-provoking and in some cases harsh?

Some Filipinos tend to trivialize the opinions of those who they disagree with, even if such opinions are based on truthful facts supported by solid and compelling evidence. For instance, some people supporting a politician would defend the person they support even if it has been proven by experts and judged by courts of justice that such politician is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of serious crimes such as graft and plunder. And in some cases, these people would go even further to accusing those who tell the truth as spreaders of lies and hate.

One can also see in social media that some people who present data from experts to fact-check an erroneous claim would be even attacked by those who are being corrected. Also, despite efforts by fact-checkers to label lies in social media as false information, some still believe in it possibly because such lies align within their beliefs. In other words, people tend to prefer sweet lies to harsh truths.

In other cases, those who speak truth to power face terrible fates. The Philippines has a notorious history with journalists given that being a member of the press in the country is perilous. Libel cases are often filed against journalists merely reporting investigative journalism, and some were even intimidated through death threats, and in worse cases, killed. Cases in point: the Maguindanao Massacre of 2009, the shutdown of ABS-CBN in 2020, and the intimidation and clear attack on Rappler.

This is worrying at any angle. When a group of people denies the facts or silence those who tell the truth, a gap opens up leading to the creation and spread of lies. These people present lies as if it’s the truth, only to create conflict and troubles at the end, similar to Pandora’s box in Greek mythology.

And for truth-seekers and freedom-loving people, including myself, we should not shirk from a fight or cower in fear when dealing with those who propagate lies. As a matter of fact, it should be the responsibility of each and every individual to resist all forms of false information because of how it can keep some members of society blind of reality. There is an ancient adage: the truth shall set you free. It is still true up to this day.

Altogether, Filipinos do not seem to be prepared yet in accepting the harsh truths that exist in society. It is important for people, especially the youth, to learn, understand, and realize the importance of knowing and acknowledging the truth — regardless of how harsh it seems to be.

No matter the circumstances we experience in the present, no matter the prevalence of lies and hate, misinformation cannot masquerade itself as the truth. For, in the end, the truth shall prevail. Sa huli, ang katotohanan ang siyang mananaig.