Unveiling the Filipino Liberal
By Marlowe C. Selecios

Our predominantly conservative society undeniably looks with suspicious eyes on the Filipino liberal. Driven by his unusual zeal for individual liberty and social equality, the liberal is typecast as an activist, rarely appreciated and often misunderstood. The liberal’s excesses are frequently magnified and highlighted, while his virtues, which are aplenty, understated. His pronounced impatience with the status quo is seen as rebelliousness. His self-confidence is mistaken for arrogance.

But the Filipino liberal is impatient without being rebellious. True, he is dissatisfied with the socio-economic condition of the nation. He is appalled by the seeming helplessness of the masses debilitated and sickened by grinding poverty. He too senses the growing discontent of the people and is angered and shamed by the endless corruption in government. But unlike many conservatives who preach understanding and even tolerance, the Filipino liberal demands change and action. He does not call for arms like the radicals. He calls for genuine reforms. He does not espouse violent revolution as a solution. But he preaches a revolution of individual attitudes.

This relentless and penetrating quest for solutions and alternatives is a hallmark of every liberal. Like Dr. Jose Rizal before him, the Filipino liberal courageously presents society’s problems, asks the difficult questions, and proposes bold solutions. Courage is his most cherished virtue. Often alone in a society resistant to change, the liberal always finds the audacity to speak his mind. Sometimes people heed his call. At other times, however, people call for his crucifixion.

Rizal himself drew inspiration from the great liberal movements of Europe. Harassed by an abusive government and horrified by the great inequalities of his society, Rizal pressed for meaningful reforms. Realizing strength in numbers, Rizal worked with the other Filipino intellectuals who, like him, were stirred and awakened by the fiery and brilliant writings of Voltaire, Montesquieu and Rousseau, and thus began perhaps the greatest liberal struggle in Philippine history. Rizal was of course crucified for his beliefs. But the liberal ideals of individual liberty, equality of opportunity, and limited government found a new birth and home in Filipino soil.

The Filipino liberal is an eternal optimist. While others consider this trait a weakness the liberal sees it as his strength. As an optimist, he believes that life is preponderantly good. Sure, he sees evil everywhere and among the greatest of them are corruption and poverty. He acknowledges the successive failures of Philippine governments in fully addressing them. But he believes that every new Filipino generation provides a hope and a promise of a more spirited and gallant struggle. While some people see the government as an enemy, in this historic and defining battle the liberal regards it as an ally.

An efficient government run by honest and progressive leaders can become a vital cog for action that could energize society in the fight against poverty and corruption. This is a core belief of the Filipino liberal and thus completely distinguishes him from the radicals who advocate an overthrow. Liberals are wary of revolutions which almost always lead to tyranny or a slip in to anarchy. In effecting meaningful reforms, the liberal believes in working within not outside the system. Like Ninoy Aquino, Jovito Salonga, and Gerry Roxas, leading lights during the dark days of martial rule, the true liberal always acts within the parameters of the law no matter how great the temptation to do otherwise. He neither espouses nor welcomes violence. He may be an outspoken critic, a bearer of new ideas, a bold advocate but never a rebel.

The liberal relishes lively discourses and intellectual debates. He is happiest when discussing and deliberating new policies and proposals. Free speech is the most esteemed of freedoms. The pen is his most powerful weapon. He believes that an open society, where there is a free exchange of ideas, stimulate people to think boldly and creatively. Thus an integral part of the liberal advocacy is the full flowering of the Filipino’s civil and political rights. Consequently, the Filipino liberal is most effective when he is most free.

Perhaps the greatest misconception is the assertion that one cannot be at once liberal and a Christian. This is unfortunate for religious freedom and tolerance is one fruit of many a libertarian struggle. Liberalism and Christianity are not opposing philosophies. Thus it is not anomalous for liberals to profess and advocate the Christian virtues of honesty, humility, charity and prayerfulness. Liberals find strength and solace in their faith. It is therefore not surprising to find that the most courageous of Filipino liberals are also often the most deeply religious. But the liberal also believes that each man must be free to worship his own God, if he chooses to worship at all.

Ultimately, however, the liberal is measured by the effectiveness of his response to corruption and poverty, the twin evils of Philippine society. The people are increasingly becoming restless. A social volcano is heating up. The Filipino liberal must once again prove that he is up to this mounting generational challenge. Already his voice can be heard in the streets, in the universities and in the halls of Congress calling for genuine political and social reforms. His cries for a more sustainable economic policy and a stricter anti-corruption strategy are beginning to stir and energize the indifferent. His agenda is varied and comprehensive stretching from education reforms and environmental protection to land redistribution and population control. But so much more still needs to be done. His calls at times fall on deaf ears but his voice remains true and powerful. Some people remain doubtful of his motives. But he remains steadfast, confident and unafraid. For he is a liberal and, like his forebears, he will succeed!