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Should foreigners/expats comment on sensitive political matters in the Philippines?
peachrelish
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Should foreigners/expats comment on sensitive political matters in the Philippines?
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Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
The word “should” entails obligation; something mandatory and compelling that they are pressed to act accordingly based on a certain situation. Let’s address that question later. The first questions nonetheless that I would like to answer are “CAN and WHY foreigners/expats comment on sensitive political matters in the Philippines?”. (Note that I used the word “can” since it has a lesser burden in its definition, and can be carried around in a discussion easily while giving discretion to the person whether they would or not) So, Can they? And Why? Yes. Everyone can form an opinion against, or for, anyone or anything. A working democracy is finely tuned with dissent from internal and external perspectives which shape itself in a more desirable and sturdy form. And yes, that includes foreigners and expatriates. Some people argue that a foreign opinion may lack sound perspective over domestic affairs. Thus, making things hazier with their “ill-conceived” viewpoints over the country. Maybe it’s true-Who knows the entirety of Philippine politics much more than Filipinos themselves? And our opinions over our internal issues always weigh more stones than what they can provide best, right? If you always think that way, without considering the substance of an argument while basing your dismissal on where the person comes from, then you’re wrong, and guilty of genetic fallacy. Here’s how some of people comment over certain issues when an outsider presents a not so favorable opinion about our political landscape. “Stop meddling. You’re not a Filipino!” “You are making us look bad” “You don’t know anything about our country!” “We are not your puppet, so stop saying things about us that you don’t know anything about.” Apparently, they do not answer anything. An issue is an issue regardless how sensitive it is, and an opinion stands by it in various forms no matter where it came from. What if you’re wrong, and what if they’re right? We have to keep in mind that we do not have the monopoly when it comes to the answers to our own problems even though we are the ones who live here in the islands and experience those plights. And in fact, some sentiments from these “outsiders” are exactly same as with many other Filipinos whom a lot of other Filipinos dismiss, due to the fact that it contradicts the opinion of the “majority”. Therefore, the reasoning that “you are not from here” is grossly invalid. For starters, attack in a logical fashion the argument of the other and dismiss the idea of involving the background of your opponent during the course of the discussion. Mixing the character of the person you are arguing with, especially in social media and other web platforms in an argument is in fact, “making us look bad”. On the flip side, I find it heartwarming that they can spare some time commenting about us and our situation in the country when before, we don’t even exist in their imagination. Now our politics matter. Now our people matter. Now we belong to the world stage and are now involved in the international discussion. Usually in a bad light because of the series of recent events, but now, it seems that they care. And most importantly, those are just comments. Those are just opinions. Maybe you’re talking about intervention? No. They do not have the capacity to directly lobby and influence our domestic decisions by virtue of our laws. At the end of the day, it’s still our voices that matter if that would give us some sort of comfort. Now, Should they? Again, they are not obliged to. But, if their country and/or people are now directly involved in a or by a local fiasco, their right to form an opinion and its validity now holds more water. Human rights issue due to the on-going war on drugs? EU citizens have a say about it. One of their investment conditions is that a potential state recipient should have a clear HR record. That’s their money anyway. Martial law and terrorism in Mindanao? Expatriates and tourists have an opinion about it. Their governments which represent their own citizens should have a say about it. Duterte, and his cussing-spree with other world leaders such as Obama and the Pope? I think Americans and Vatican citizens should have an opinion about it, in one way or another. _ Opinions and comments are universal. And we can’t and must not shield ourselves from them regardless of where and from whom those come from. That’s one of the pains that democracy gives. And it’s a useful, growth-inducing pain that we all should be willing to endure.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Disclaimer: I do not like our politics. It’s my belief that 90% of them came from the era of arrogant self-entitled men and the only way to “clean” our politics is to remove 90% of these old bastards. I can’t wait for all of them to reach their retirement age and expire. Like Romer Estrada said The word “should” entails obligation. Nobody should be forced to do something in a democratic country. Local or foreign. Speaking as an average citizen, one problem that arises whenever a foreigner comments on our politics is they almost always sound insensitive and ignorant. What happens, then, is that we’d only focus on how the foreigner/expat delivered his/her opinion, instead of the content. My advice is, if you will speak to an audience of strangers, speak with ease, like you’re unsure of your thoughts. Keep in mind that we are uncomfortable with confrontations and arguments. We may be waterproof but we were not built to debate or argue. And of course, like any other country, consider the group of people you are speaking to. Some of us are more sensitive than others.