Beyond Political Colors

by John Cedric Tio

“The societies are more divided than at any time in the recent past. We don’t trust each other. Facts have been buried to make way for feelings.” — Ben Shapiro, The Right Side of History

Take a quick look at Philippine politics, especially on social media, and you will immediately understand what this quote meant. We are no longer simply disagreeing about candidates, statements, policies, or ideologies.

Let’s be honest, we are divided into camps, each with its own political color, version of events, and set of people it considers either allies or enemies.

We have the “Kakampinks,” the “Dilawan,” the “DDS,” and the “Loyalists.” These labels may have started as a way for supporters to identify themselves and show support for their preferred candidates.

There is nothing wrong with that.

Political participation is healthy in democracy, and citizens should be free to support the leaders they believe in. But the problem begins when political support becomes blind loyalty and political colors become more important than the country itself.

Today, it sometimes feels as if we no longer have a common center, an objective and universal truth that we can all recognize regardless of whom we support. What I consider right may be wrong in your eyes, and what you defend as right may appear completely wrong to me. Of course, people will naturally have different beliefs and experiences.

But when facts themselves become subjective, meaningful conversation becomes almost impossible.

If a piece of news damages the image of our preferred politician, we immediately call it fake news or propaganda. If the same news attacks the opposing camp, we share it without even checking whether it is true. When our candidate makes a mistake, we find every possible excuse. But when another candidate commits the same mistake, we demand accountability.

We judge the action not by whether it is right or wrong, but by who did it.

That is fanaticism.

This is why political division continues to deepen. We no longer see one another as Filipinos who simply have different opinions.

What we see are the labels.

But among all these political camps or labels, who can honestly say that they are completely transparent?

Who is willing to admit when their chosen leader is wrong?

Who can criticize an opponent when necessary but also recognize when that same opponent does something right?

More importantly, who among us can say that the ultimate goal is truly the Philippines and the Filipino people?

Removing political colors does not mean abandoning our beliefs, refusing to support candidates, or pretending that all leaders are the same.

They are not.

We should continue examining their records, platforms, principles, and decisions. We should remain passionate about the causes we believe in.

But our loyalty must never belong permanently to a politician, a family, or a political camp.

It must belong to the Philippines.

Support should always be conditional. If a leader serves the people well, then support that leader. If that leader abuses power, fails to deliver, or betrays the public trust, then demand accountability.

We should not adjust our principles just to protect a political personality.

The Philippines cannot move forward if every issue becomes another battle between political camps.

Poverty does not ask for a person’s political color. Corruption affects everyone. Poor education, unemployment, hunger, crime, and weak governance do not choose between Kakampinks, DDS, Dilawan, or Loyalists.

These are shared problems, and they require a shared vision.

Perhaps it is time to stop asking, “Which political camp do you belong to?” and start asking, “What kind of country are we trying to build?”

Politicians will come and go.

Campaign colors will fade, alliances will change, and yesterday’s enemies may become tomorrow’s partners. But we will remain Filipinos.

If there should be one identity above all others, it should not be based on a politician. It should be our identity as citizens who are willing to seek the truth, hold every leader accountable, and put the Philippines in their mind.