Intolerable politics may kill us in the end

Many Filipinos today are convinced that politics has become too consuming, too personal, too performative, too theatrical – and increasingly disconnected from the real problems ordinary people face.

In any democracy, politics is essential. Debate is healthy, accountability is necessary and oversight is indispensable. But when politics begins to overwhelm governance itself, the nation eventually pays a heavy price.

That is why an article I recently read discussing concerns over the Philippine economy struck a nerve. The piece warned that international observers are noticing signs of slowing momentum, declining investor confidence and increasing uncertainty about the country’s long-term direction.

Whether one agrees fully with its conclusions or not, the article reflects something important: the outside world is watching us closely.

Investors monitor political stability, global institutions scrutinize governance and international businesses observe predictability. Allies watch whether we can sustain long-term economic growth while navigating a dangerous and uncertain geopolitical environment.

Increasingly, the question being asked is simple: can the Philippines remain focused on nation building – or will politics consume everything?

The unfortunate reality is that we live at a time when politics dominates almost every aspect of public life. Senate hearings, social media, press conferences, online warfare – all create a nonstop cycle of political confrontation that often overshadows more urgent issues affecting the daily lives of Filipinos.

Food prices are getting more expensive; traffic and infrastructure deficiencies continue to hurt productivity; flood control remains inadequate in many areas; energy costs are among the highest in Asia; education gaps continue to widen; poverty and inequality persist and health care systems are under severe strain. These issues are not glamorous, and don’t spark viral headlines or dramatic political moments. Yet they are the very issues that determine whether a nation succeeds or stagnates.

Unfortunately, the dangerous political environment today creates the impression that winning the next political battle is more important than winning the economic future.

History repeatedly shows that countries rarely collapse overnight because of one single event. Decline usually happens slowly – through distraction, division, institutional erosion and the inability to focus national energy on long-term priorities. We should not allow this to happen.

The fact is, we are in a potentially historic position globally. The strategic importance of the Philippines has never been greater. The world now recognizes the vital importance of the Indo-Pacific region. The growing partnership between the Philippines and the United States has opened major opportunities not only in defense but also in trade, technology, infrastructure, energy and investment.

Japan has become one of our most reliable partners. Australia, South Korea, Europe and other like-minded nations are deepening cooperation with the Philippines. Even major multinational companies are increasingly looking at Southeast Asia as supply chains diversify away from excessive dependence on China.

In many ways, the Philippines is positioned to benefit from these global shifts. But geopolitics alone will not save us. International partnerships create opportunity – but domestic governance determines whether those opportunities become real economic gains for ordinary citizens. No investor will commit billions of dollars merely because they like a country strategically. Investors look for efficiency, transparency, stability, infrastructure, skilled labor and confidence that policies will remain predictable.

Politics that becomes excessively hostile and unstable eventually creates uncertainty – and uncertainty is poison for economic growth. Businesses begin to hesitate. Long-term projects slow down. Foreign investors adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Bureaucracies become cautious. Decision-making slows. Economic momentum weakens.

This is why many successful Asian countries – despite political differences – relentlessly focus on economic execution. They build airports, modernize ports, improve rail systems, invest heavily in education and technology, reduce bureaucratic inefficiency, prioritize energy security and make it easier to do business. They understand that national competitiveness is now the real battlefield of the 21st century.

The Philippines must think the same way. This does not mean suppressing democracy or silencing dissent. Far from it. Strong democracies require vibrant debate and accountability, but there must also be balance.

Public officials must remember that governance is not performance art. Senate hearings should not become endless spectacles disconnected from national priorities. Political conflict should not dominate national consciousness to the point where economic urgency is forgotten.

The Senate, in particular, is supposedly one of the country’s most respected democratic institutions, playing a crucial role in defending freedom, ensuring accountability and constitutional order. But many feel that greater focus should be made on issues that directly affect national competitiveness and economic survival.

Imagine if the same political intensity now devoted to partisan conflict were directed toward energy security, agricultural modernization, water supply, digital infrastructure, AI preparedness, flood mitigation, tourism expansion, education reform and industrial development. That would send a powerful signal not only to Filipinos but to the entire world.

The truth is, the Philippines has enormous strengths. We have one of the youngest populations in Asia. We have an English-speaking workforce admired globally. Our people remain resilient, hardworking and optimistic despite enormous challenges. Our alliance network is stronger than ever. Our strategic location makes us increasingly important in global trade and security.

But potential alone is never enough. Many countries throughout history showed great potential but failed because they became trapped in internal division, political obsession and short-term thinking.

We must never allow intolerable politics to slowly weaken our nation from within. At some point, politics must stop being about endless conflict and begin serving a larger national purpose. Because in the end, nations are not judged by the volume of their political noise – but by whether they improved the lives of their people. If we lose sight of that, then intolerable politics may just kill us in the end.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]