Moral force

The sudden visit by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to the home of former Vice President Leni Robredo in Naga City, Camarines Sur, during the Peñafrancia Festival, raised the eyebrows of many people, including some supporters of the Liberal Party.

The most prominent critic of the meeting is former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who criticized Robredo for allowing the visit and welcoming the Vice President into her home. Meanwhile, fanatical pro-Duterte vloggers quickly seized the opportunity to promote the misleading narrative that Robredo shares the same situation with the incumbent vice president. In the words of one such vlogger, “Hindi ako na-shock dyaan sa meeting ni Sara at Leni sa Naga City. Pareho silang probinsyana. At alam nila pareho kung papaano pinaikot ng mga alta sa Manila ang kanilang buhay pulitika.”

Such a narrative—that Duterte-Carpio and Robredo, both characterized as 'provincianas' manipulated by Manila elites—is, as usual, misleading and oversimplified. First, these two top Philippine political figures have distinct political trajectories. Robredo entered politics after the untimely death of her husband, Jesse Robredo, a respected public servant known for his integrity and effective governance. That Leni was able to build on her late husband's legacy is attributed to her own track record in grassroots advocacy and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

On the other hand, Duterte-Carpio hails from a powerful political family, being the daughter of a populist former president. Her political ascent is credited not to her own track record as a public servant, but rather to her family's established political brand. This includes the machinery and alliances that accompany it.

Second, the claim that both political leaders are manipulated by elites in Manila overlooks the fact that Robredo has faced opposition from powerful figures in the national capital. Duterte-Carpio, on the other hand, has formed strategic alliances with various national political factions. Last time I checked, the one who associates with manipulators is the one who gets manipulated.

Third, Robredo has faced disinformation campaigns and political harassment. Despite these challenges, she has continued to advocate for good governance and transparency. Duterte-Carpio, on the other hand, while now facing political challenges, still benefits from the support of national political elites like former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as well as a vaunted social media army of vloggers and trolls ready to engage in propaganda battles on her behalf.

Lastly, labeling both Duterte-Carpio and Robredo as 'provincianas' prone to manipulation is an oversimplification. Robredo's role as a public servant is deeply rooted in her community-focused approach and advocacy for the marginalized, conducted without much fanfare. Duterte-Carpio’s provincial background, on the other hand, is closely tied to populist charm and hardball political influence that originated in her bailiwick, Davao City.

Robredo is widely regarded as a moral force in Philippine politics. She is able to inspire, influence, and mobilize people based on integrity and shared values. That may not translate into 32 million votes in a country whose electoral system is characterized by money politics and intimidation politics, but it is a political influence rooted in moral authority rather than official positions of power.

History demonstrates that when ethical leadership aligns with public demand for change, it can dramatically alter a country's political trajectory. The rise of Corazon Aquino during the deepest crisis of the 1980s shows how moral authority can shift the political landscape.

Thus, the recent visit by Duterte-Carpio to the home of Robredo should be seen as an acknowledgment of Robredo’s enduring relevance in Philippine politics. As for Duterte-Carpio, the visit suggests that she would resort to any desperate measure to survive politically.