The "Sicilian Thing" in the Philippines
One revolting characteristic of some Filipino communities is the misuse,
or abuse of authority. It is a reality that there exists a myriad of employees
in government institutions who are either uncouth or irascible towards people
relying on their services. But that is a generality that has already been
accepted by the masses, since they are aware of such low salary rates given
granted the mentioned individuals.
But if attention is focused towards smaller municipalities and
communities; most of all in a number of semi-rural, underdeveloped and
provincial areas; it would be a near impossibility to miss how authoritative
power falls into malpractice.
Enter a barangay hall and everything will rely on fate. This insinuates
how a person requesting the services of such an office will either be treated
favourably or rashly; depending on the “which side of the bed” the attendants,
officers, and staff awoke that morning. Complaining will inevitably merit an
embarrassing admonishment, or a threat of disservice.
Renting an apartment with a landlord who has connections and influences
with community officials say, the barangay captain, a mayor, vice-mayor or the
governor of a district; and reasoning against that person would make it harder
than a sinner to enter the gates of heaven.
In some locales, social groups and associations will designate person
who are known for pugilistic and belligerent personalities in order to
intimidate residents of in the vicinity to cooperate with their mandates and
regulations; as unfair and unreasonable as they are. It is not uncommon, or
unheard of, for people in residential suburbs to have conflicts with committees
ruling in authority. If the image of the latter cannot be marred by being
hostile towards those who question them or their edicts; their most probable
strategy would be to hire a few “watchdogs”
who have no concern for what impression the public may have of them. “Pay
the monthly dues!, Donate to the community project!, Contribute for the repair
of streets and the installation of street lamps!; and shut up even if you don’t
notice anything productive happening…if you don’t want trouble.”.
Michael Corleone’s loyal servant, Al Neri, would be more favourable to
converse with than the uneducated/ unprincipled ‘mouths-for-hire’.
The people who are granted
authority are expected to be more dignified and rational. They are placed in
those positions to serve the people; not intimidate them. These are no longer
the days when bloodlines make one deserving of leading a society. Even state
officials with surnames as Marcos, Binay, or Aquino come by their governance by
the will of the people. It should be enough that they succeeded in fooling the
latter into giving them their roles in society. Abusing such makes them
loathsome and contemptible.
Such characteristics of a number of Filipino community figures and
leaders would explain why there is no heroic icon named in the spirit of the
nation; as the United States’ CAPTAIN AMERICA. Truth, justice and the Filipino
way are shameful abstractions for someone with the letter ‘P’ emblazoned on his
helmet. This description represents a sad contradiction to Abraham Erskine’s
statement: “a weak man knows the value of strength and has compassion.”* In
certain districts and localities of the Philippines; when the ‘little guy’ is
granted power; he will not think twice about abusing it.
No wonder the only ‘captain-ed’ hero of this country is name after a gym
instrument. A barbell is a more potent weapon for bashing in another
individual’s head than doing them any good.
*Captain America, Paramount Picture,
Marvel Studios; 2011
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