Harnessing true and enduring people power

By Michael Henry Yusingco, LL.M

It is tempting to think that Filipinos should be imitating the Indonesians. That we should express our fuming disdain for dynastic politicians embroiled in the flood project scam through violent mass protests. But history shows that fury in the streets alone does not eliminate corruption in government. Indeed, EDSA I and II should be a good reality-check. What is required now is not just another outburst of fiery anger, but the methodical resolve to channel our raging political energy where it matters most: the ballot box.

While electoral participation in the Philippines remains impressively high by global standards, a deeper problem lies in the minimal follow-through once votes are tallied. Too many Filipinos treat voting as the climax of democratic engagement, after which political participation recedes into the background. This posture produces what can be described as political spectatorship. Citizens simply watch politics unfold much like a television drama. This is how political dynasties are able to sustain their dominance.

Yet it would be wrong to conclude that Filipinos are politically apathetic. On the contrary, they follow the news and maintain a vibrant political chatter online. The real problem is not indifference but the lack of structured avenues to translate awareness into organized participation. In a way, most Filipinos are led to be mere spectators by the absence of options to engage in meaningful political activity. This situation benefits those already in power. Without systematic scrutiny, officials are always free to do whatever they want.

The responsibility, therefore, falls on civil society organizations, universities, and media—to recalibrate their roles in relation to keeping citizens politically engaged. They must not only campaign for government accountability but should also provide citizens with opportunities for consequential interventions. A more enlightened and engaged polity is essential for crafting responsive policies and enacting legislation that addresses public needs. Hence, our collective aspiration now must be to establish pathways for citizens to get involved with public affairs on a more regular basis.

But empowering Filipinos to shift from mere spectators to co-authors of democracy requires a paradigm change. It means replacing sporadic, high-intensity protests with regular, deliberative forums as the preferred form of political activism. Facilitating structured dialogue, encouraging inclusive participation, and promoting shared decision-making will cultivate a collective civic consciousness that can consistently demand and support good governance. Then holding public officials accountable will no longer be just a triennial drill but will become a hard habit to break.

In this regard, it would be a great idea for media organizations to take the lead in this civic transformation initiative. They should endeavour to hold townhall meetings in their respective provinces where communities can converse with journalists, academics, and local officials about pressing issues of the day. This communal activity can even mitigate the isolation effect caused by social media. And these gatherings can be austere in terms of logistical preparations. The goal is to create an atmosphere conducive for deliberation.

For the current matter of pork barrel politics, the agenda can be as simple and straightforward as answering these questions:

1. Why pork barrel corruption persists?
2. What is its impact on the economy and on the daily lives of Filipinos?
3. What must citizens do to stop it?

Crucially, these townhalls must dedicate more time for citizens to ask questions and share reactions. Moderating the session is key: participants must feel safe to speak but must also be willing to listen. Such events transform politics from a distant spectacle into a lived conversation. Over time, repeated encounters of this kind can trigger incremental but profound shifts in how communities understand power and their role in shaping it. This is not a romantic ideal but a pragmatic path toward sustainable people power.

It is understandable to be roused by the sight of Indonesians looting the homes of their corrupt politicians. But the message we should be internalizing is their “Reset System” outcry. Public wrath, disciplined into organized participation, can forge a government that truly embodies the common good. Thus, the task at hand is to refashion our political culture in which citizens themselves insist on shared governance. If media organizations can respond to the challenge laid out here, then real change is really coming.