The Myth of Good Governance and the Making of a New DILG Anito Cult

I understand the grief of losing a loved one. We all have lost someone dear to us at some point in our life. The process of recovering from grief and loss is a slow and steady process for some – some don’t face grief due to resilience.

Some individuals have also emerged bigger than life after passing away – not only because of their authenticity that was self-evident in their daily lives but because they ushered in an era of positive transformation. Not only did they become *spontaneous* symbols of hope – but they actually *delivered* what people were hoping for.

On the other side of the fence lies in a state’s attempts at manufacturing and utilizing symbols to sway people into submission and obedience – the *personality cult*.

As defined in Wikipedia – or in a dictionary next to you – or a search engine next to you

A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.

Personality cults have existed for a long time – since the founding of civilization. Sites all over the world are littered with artifacts that bear the names of various personalities – who, in some cultures, have been elevated to god-like status.

These images are then linked to a new set of values or goals which are being promoted to society as being good for the national welfare. In many instances, this belief system is perpetuated even where are negative outcomes in daily life.

Creating a personality bandwagon is EASIER in the Philippines given a tradition of ANITO Worship.

Anito is the collective name for pre-Hispanic belief system that exists in the Philippines. It is also the name for spirits, which may include deceased ancestors and nature-spirits or diwatas. Native Filipinos usually keep statues to represent these spirits and to ask guidance and even magical protection. Much of the tradition has been Christianized and incorporated into Folk Catholicism.

Recent Philippine history has seen a secular version of the Anito – the manufactured “heroes” of mainstream media. Ninoy, Cory – were creations of Philippine media, elevated to God-like status. But really – other than rhetoric which unleashes the tyranny of the majority, where are the outcomes?

Today, the Philippines is witnessing the creation of another “cult of personality” in the person of the deceased DILG Secretary Robredo. Is his canonization in the Church of Cory and Noynoy vital to the national efforts to reduce poverty?

To me, the current barrage of headlines about Robredo this, Robredo that smacks of a HARD SELL.

It’s one thing to commiserate with the loss of Robredo. It’s another thing to deify Jesse. After all if he were to become a symbol of the direction being pushed by a minority President – as being representative of Filipinos- we really need to start asking questions, instead of dropping our pants at the site of a yellow ribon followed with hand gesture for “Loser”.

What ideas did he stand for?

Where these ideas relevant to national development?

Is blind obedience to flawed policy a good model?

Is serving for the sake of serving really a good thing?

Is efficiency at spending a good thing – or should there even be spending at all?

Should tax money be used for edifying Jess Robredo?

Was he being true to the ideas he stood for – or did he become like – Noynoy’s grandfather, Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. (1894–1947) who was the vice-president of the World War II Japanese collaborationist government of José P. Laurel – who was tried on treason charges resulting from his collaboration with the Japanese during the occupation.

“Good Governance” Piggybacking on Robredo’s Good Name

Good governance and revenue is a buzzword in government and private circles nowadays.

The problem with government mouthing these buzzwords is that government’s actions always come at the expense of taxpayers – CCT subsidy, RH bill, pork barrel, etc.

David Thoreau once wrote –

“That government is best which governs least” – “That government is best which governs not at all” are words that are often mistakenly attributed to Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine.

There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.

To me, what will make Jesse bigger than life is not the trivial gestures blown up by the mainstream media – it’s the principles he stood for (if he had any).

Did he work to achieve a government that governed least.. or was he a party to the imposition of a tyranny on its citizens.