If there’s one thing that Filipinos are more than qualified for, it’s their ability to talk and chip in their two cents. Philippines society has even provided more than enough venues for this kind of intellectual sport: the corner sari-sari store, the upscale coffee shops, campus halls, offices—everywhere there are people to talk to and news to talk about. Topics of discussion can range from the mundane entertainment gossip to news reports of earth-shaking, world-changing significance. 

This gift of gab is a good thing: it shows that we aren’t just about to take anyone’s word unchallenged. In a democratic society, being able to speak your mind and letting your voice be heard is fundamental to keep the check-and-balance forces working. The Philippine media in particular is even considered one of the freest in Asian journalism. Here we have hard-hitting journalists taking on big political families, exposing corrupt practices, challenge controversial issues, and giving the public the truth behind the news. 

It is this Filipino gift that could serve as a weapon against injustice and brutality. In the not-so-recent case on Ted Failon and his wife’s alleged suicide, excessive force by the police was noted, and complaints were raised. Several people expressed fear that if the police can do such things to a public media figure as Failon, perhaps we could expect worse to be done on ordinary civilians. 

I don’t think Filipinos could let such injustice go by without raising a voice of dissent, given our penchant for saying something about anything. But I admit that this thinking is far too naïve: this is, of course, presuming that no threat has been made to keep the victim silent. And in this country where money can buy almost anything, even silence, dignity, and the right to free speech can be bought at a price—either monetary compensation or a threat to life or family. 

However, there are always those who would dare get in the way (and to them we should applaud) and still speak about any injustice done to them. This would then lead to a predictable cycle that is repeated ad infinitum through the media: the complainant gets media mileage, the Senate jumps in even when they’re not supposed to, and inquiries are made. Several personalities are called in and questioned; senators make a show of the entire thing, providing theatrics for entertainment, pretending to be outraged (or being genuinely outraged, but hyping it up more for the cameras), and suddenly some other new controversy is unearthed, the investigations are dropped, media forgets, and the complainant is left with a much bigger problem as he has lost his greatest security.

Here the gift of gab can backfire, and this becomes a problem: too much is being said, too many opinions being raised, but too little is being done, if at all. Understandably, no one wants to be told they are wrong, or that their reasoning is flawed; hence the endless inquiries in the Senate, since no one wants to back down, give way, or acknowledge mistakes and take responsibility. Most of all, however, everyone wants to get the last word. Theatrics and dramatic statements make for great oratory, but everyone seems to forget that a plan of action is waiting in the wings.

Having varied opinions contribute to an interesting mix of discussion and helps uphold a free society. But if all the authorities do is gab away and not do anything to back up their talk, they should probably consider a different career. 

(Of course, the irony here is that this very piece is a product of the author’s opinion.)