FOR a president that likes to create enemies just to be relevant and popular, and to prop up that he is the best and true leader that represents the "masa" sentiments, it is ironic that he has not stepped up to the ring to fight the biggest enemy in our midst.
The enemy this time is invisible, but it threatens to collapse our body once it enters our lungs and bloodstream. It also gives a side effect that threatens to collapse our local and global economies and social lives.
This enemy can be conquered, as shown by not so tough leaders, and by women leaders like in Taiwan, New Zealand and Germany, and in countries that have average economies like Taiwan and Cuba.
Their methods did not require checkpoints or camouflaged authorities rounding up citizens. But rather the method is through science, through systems of tracing, locating and isolating people infected in order to treat them, and to do mass testing of people they have come in contact with. The public is advised to practice hand washing and distancing, and clean their environs that will kill the virus. And on the economic side, cash assistance and stimulus were given to help employees, workers and enterprises to get through this tide.
These countries, rich or poor, Asian and Western, have defeated the enemy. Sadly, this government couldn't beat it.
Is it because we are pasaway? Tell that to General Sinas or Mocha Uson, officials who broke protocols.
We had the longest lockdown, and it did not stop the virus from spreading. The government hasn't flattened the curve. But instead it has fattened our debt, up to 3 trillion pesos, but where are the projects that are supposed to help fight the pandemic?
It has also flattened lives. We now are shaken by news of activists and mayors being shot dead, even in the midst of these pandemic, a rape victim shot after reporting the incident to the police, and of the poor dying because of the lack of food and medical support.
And we have a government so distracted fighting its own enemies. Perhaps to distract us, Congress held 12 sessions to bully the country's biggest broadcast network and refuse to grant its franchise renewal, contributing to the rising unemployment rate, and depriving millions of citizens in far flung areas of broadcasting that helps them be informed and entertained.
Then we have a government that stresses the enemy is the terrorist and the Anti-Terror Law is here to combat it. Not mindful that the real terror the people feel are the men in uniform that treat citizens as "kalaban."
The government is fighting a different invisible enemy. And that's disconnect, the cause of division, and would likely drive our country wrecked into the dark. For that, we need to fight our own fight.