Quezon ex machina

By Artchil B. Fernandez

“I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans, because however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it,” boldly declared Manuel L. Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth Republic. Quezon’s wish was fulfilled. The Philippines today is in hell, with top leaders of the land boldly and shamelessly robbing the national treasury.

The above quote is among the memorable lines in the movie Quezon. Watching the movie makes one wonder whether what is being shown is history or current events. There is an eerie parallel between politics in pre-war Philippines and the present political situation of the country, lending credence to the famous words of Alphonse Karr: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Quezon was at the vortex of pre-war Philippine politics. He was the consummate traditional politician, faithfully captured by the movie. Populism in Philippine politics is as old as Quezon, who harnessed its power to stay in power and expand his hold in the body politic. During Quezon’s time, “independence” was the issue that resonated with the populace and touched raw chords among Filipinos.

The Philippines gained independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1899, only to be snuffed out with the coming of the Americans. American rule ended the brief Malolos Republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo (who has a prominent role in the movie). During the American colonial rule, the United States (US) shaped the country’s politics by co-opting Filipino politicians, allowing them to take part in the colonial government.

Remaking Philippine politics into its image, the Americans established two houses of Congress – Lower House and the Senate. Filipino politicians welcomed this development, enthusiastically taking part in elections where they positioned themselves as leaders of the people. Quezon was one of these politicians who honed his skills in colonial politics, eventually mastering the art of traditional politics.

Knowing that “independence” is a populist issue, Quezon immediately seized it as his political battle cry. He publicly vowed, accompanied with colourful theatrics, that he would tirelessly work for Philippine independence, making him indisputably the original performative politician in the country. But what he said in public, he trashed in private.

To gain the support of the Americans, Quezon privately assured them the Philippines was not yet ready for independence, signalling his openness to prolonged US rule. Quezon was a chameleon, a double-faced politico who said one thing in public but did the opposite in private. Filipino politicians today are the same.

Independence was the populist issue before; now it’s “ending illegal drugs or corruption in six months.” In several cycles of election, politicians like their model Quezon would sprout populist mantras – “This nation can be great again,” “Strong Republic,” “Para sa masa,” “Daang Matuwid,” “Tunay na pagbabago parating na,” “Babangon muli ang Bagong Pilipinas” – but the country is still mired in the quagmire of corruption, poverty, underdevelopment, and brazen abuse of power. Nothing has changed since the time of Quezon and his curse (a country run like hell) is still upon us.

Quezon was the ultimate puppet master in pre-war Philippine politics. He manipulated events to suit his personal agenda. Pulling strings behind the scenes, Quezon tormented his political opponents by making life hard and difficult for them. He duped his allies while playing with them, but at the same time buying and pampering them with patronage to secure their loyalty. Philippine colonial politics was Quezon ex machina.

One segment of the movie that resonates well with the current generation is the existence of “nepo babies” in pre-war Philippines. The Philippines regularly sent “independence missions” to Washington DC to lobby for independence among American legislators. Members of the mission who were politicians would also bring their families on these trips paid for by taxpayers. Kids of these politicians boasted they tasted “white Christmas.” Their modern counterparts now parade their Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Porsche, and BMW in their social media accounts. Things remain the same.

“Being a hero is all about perception” is a line of Quezon from the movie that echoes Imelda Marcos’ infamous quote: “Perception is real; truth is not.” Fake news, manufactured reality, alternative facts – these are not new. In the time of Quezon, he used these dirty tricks to win elections, destroy his political adversaries, and perpetuate myths about himself to remain popular. Movies were Quezon’s medium then, now it’s social media. Regardless of the means, falsehoods peddled as “truths” are weapons of autocrats, strongmen, tyrants, and dictators to deceive and manipulate the public. Lies are the tools of authoritarians to stay in power. Lying is normalized under their rule.

Despite promising to serve only one term, Quezon amended the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution so he could run for a second term. He won another term with the country on the verge of war with Japan, forcing him to flee to the US. Quezon would have become president-for-life but deus ex machina, he died toward the end of World War II in the bosom of America. This is what autocrats, drunk on power, usually forget. Things have an end. Nothing lasts forever.

In 2016, a Philippine president – another strongman – addicted to power cursed the pope, mocked God by calling Him stupid, thrashed the Church, and ridiculed the faith. He is now languishing in a faraway land, alone with no voice or power, a plain old man in a modern and well-furnished foreign jail. Politicians must heed the lessons of history.

Many lessons in politics and in life can be extracted from the movie Quezon. But it leaves a momentous challenge to Filipinos. Will Filipinos continue to allow the present politicians to run the country like hell, or has the time for real change finally come?