By Probe

Last Thursday, June 30, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was officially inaugurated as the 17th President of the Philippines. While his reign has just begun, it is only natural that people have set expectations as to what they hope for during his administration, and if his actions and contributions prior to assuming the presidency make him trustworthy enough to lead the entire country.

It is crucial for Filipinos to choose leaders that align with their well-grounded personal morals, as well as the virtuous values shared with other people—and as Ateneans, we know that the very basis of our principles is found in the 5Cs. Only when we practice competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, and Christ-centeredness are we able to humbly serve as active and effective members of society.

As such, Hi-Lites released a survey available to the ASHS community and beyond, asking respondents how they would rate Marcos Jr.’s ability to fulfill each one of the 5Cs, and how they have seen—or not seen—these manifest in the current president’s past decisions. With a total tally of 37 responses, here are the insights we have garnered. 

Competence

Competence is defined as “the ability to do something well.” It entails one’s capacity to execute tasks with utmost excellence. Ateneans are taught that even though a person seemingly fails to accomplish something successfully, they can already be regarded as competent if much effort and determination is put into reaching a goal.  

With this, 78.4% (29 people) of the responses gave Marcos Jr. the lowest possible score in this category, 1 out of 5. Seven people gave him a 2, and one gave him a 3. 

One respondent expressed the sentiment that Marcos Jr. is only viewed as excellent by many due to his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., who ruled in the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, before being ousted by the public in the People Power Revolution. They believed that Marcos Jr. may be “competent in the eyes of the masses, but the masses are looking at his father’s achievements.”

Many of the respondents also pointed out Marcos Jr.’s educational background—or perhaps, the lack thereof. “Although he has a special degree from Oxford, it’s not enough that he did not finish his education. Most politicians have finished education,” one shared, emphasizing that while the heart to serve is truly crucial in having a position in office, knowledge acquired in formal education indeed plays a big role as well. 

Previously, Marcos Jr. had misrepresented his educational attainment in Oxford University. It was discovered that while he claimed to have finished his studies in the aforementioned school with a degree in political science, he only received a special diploma for social sciences in 1978. While he did indeed matriculate in the university, a group of Filipino Oxford alumni stated that the special diploma is in no way equivalent to a degree. In 2015, the university itself also denied Marcos Jr.’s claims about his education.

Compassion

Being compassionate means having “a strong feeling of sympathy for […] [those] who are suffering, and [having] a desire to help them”. It involves putting oneself in another’s shoes, empathizing with them, and finding ways to support them in any way possible. For every Atenean, it is important to care about the hardships of others in order to know how to contribute in alleviating their struggles.

86.5% of the respondents gave him a 1 out of 5 in this area, with the remaining 13.5% rating him a 2. 

Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in the Philippines in 1972, and with it came the imprisonment of 70,000 people, the torture of 34,000, and the killing of 3,240. Yet, despite these alarming numbers, one respondent pointed out that Marcos Jr.’s family never showed any remorse for the atrocities that their father caused—in fact, none of them seem to recognize that it ever happened, despite the overwhelming proof present.

Additionally, one respondent had identified Marcos Jr.’s high status in society—and along with it his seeming disregard for those in the lower sectors—as a way to question his compassion. “Coming from someone who lived his life indulged in wealth, I can’t see him as a compassionate person.” 

The newly-elected president reaps much worry in the minds of Filipinos, for he seems to have more compassion for his own power-hungry family than the people he is meant to serve.

Commitment

Having commitment calls for possessing “the desire to work hard and give your energy and time to a job or an activity”. Vital in Atenean education, a person with commitment will always persevere and give their very best in completing certain tasks, especially ones that require service to others.  

Among the five core values, commitment received the most diverse set of scores from our respondents, with one respondent sharing that they see that Marcos Jr. is “committed to becoming president, [but] not sure if his intentions are good or bad.” 22 respondents gave the president a score of 1 out of 5, five people gave him a 2, six rated him a 3,  while the remaining four gave him a 4. 

On one hand, a respondent felt that Marcos Jr.’s commitment to properly lead the nation is shown in his choices for his administration’s cabinet. “Although Marcos may not have a sufficient background, his administration looks ready, given his appointees who mostly have credible backgrounds,” they shared.

However, many believed that the grave problem in Marcos Jr.’s commitment lies in whom he pledges his commitment to—instead of striving to be a good president for the Filipino people, he makes every effort to make sure his tainted family name remains in the clear.

“I’ve hardly seen him do anything much other than him trying to clean his family name. In that case, yes, he can be committed to things,” a respondent said.

“What’s most important to us is, of course, our name, the family name that has become so controversial, and so difficult at times to bear,” said the president’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos. The clan is without a doubt filled with commitment, but their list of priorities displays their selfish ambitions on top, with service to the Filipino people ranking lower in comparison.

Conscience

To have a clear conscience is to know how to tell right from wrong, and actively pursue what is right. When one intently listens to their conscience, they find remorse for their past wrongdoings, and open a contrite heart that leads them to want to become the best version they can be. 

As the respondents had much to say about the Marcos family’s conscience based on both their past and current actions, 94.6% of the respondents rated President Marcos with a 1 out of 5, with scores 2 and 3 each receiving one vote each.

A respondent explained, “If he had a conscience, he and his family [wouldn’t] meddle and return to Philippine politics, apologize and admit their atrocities, and return all their ill-gotten wealth.”

However, the president’s apparent inability and unwillingness to be duly guided by his conscience is seen even in recent times. 

A participant also pointed out Marcos’s questionable senatorial slate of politicians who have displayed improper and unprofessional behavior, as well as those who have been convicted of crimes like graft and fraud. Given that, it is entirely reasonable for many to question the then-presidential candidate’s moral compass.

More so, as he persistently disregards and denies his family’s proven cruel acts, he continues to twist and distort the mind of the masses. With a campaign built on years of historical revisionism and disinformation, “his message [was] amplified by his network of vloggers and influencers, which he now wants to give accreditation to since they were the reason why he won; spreading lies constantly,” said another respondent. 

To Marcos and his family, the concepts good and bad become a blur as they simply choose to use means that would be beneficial to them alone. 

Christ-centeredness

The Atenean education teaches that living a Christ-centered life includes practicing all of the other four Cs. 

Marcos Jr. himself is a professing Christian, although many of the respondents question if he actually puts his faith into action. 86.5% of responses rated him at 1 out of 5, with one rating him a 2, and four people giving him a 3. 

“Bongbong Marcos being Christ-centered sounds very humorous to me. Someone who can’t hear and understand the people’s voices and always [puts] themselves first [is] very far from the likeness of Christ,” said one of the responses, noting the contrast between what Marcos Jr. believes, and what he exhibits in his own life. 

Another respondent cited a specific case, bringing to attention the Marcos estate tax issue. Showing the gap between a Christ-like ideal and Marcos Jr.’s actions. The respondent cited Matthew 22:21, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar — and to God what belongs to God.” Not paying taxes for a certain period of time and not asking for forgiveness is not something a Christ-centered individual would do, another respondent stated.

Yet, the callout to Marcos Jr. is rather uncomplicated; as a respondent puts it, “Marcos can only be Christ-centered if he has a clear conscience and lives simply.” Otherwise, his credibility to be president of the Philippines and set an example to Filipinos remains contentious.

Choosing Principle as Ateneans, and as Filipinos 

Inasmuch as the president holds the highest power in the country, his job is more so to take a lowly position of service to the people. Staying optimistic for better days is indeed a good thing to do, but being attentive and vigilant to the actions or even potential dangers that our leaders may bring is essential in the hopes that every Filipino will truly be watched over and cared for.

Evaluating and holding our leaders accountable to their statements and actions is a vital step in preserving the rights of each citizen of every sector. In the much bigger fight against injustice, it is important to call out and fight against any sort of systemic oppression that threatens the well-being of each one.

Let us hold fast to the values we are taught as students, so that as young as we may be, we can already choose and pursue what is right for everyone around us.