I would want to engage in the tirades against Isabelle Duterte’s ostentatious photo-shoot in the Malacañan Palace but I must first present a deeper context.

You see, I have always wondered why there are people who say that life during the Marcos Martial Law years were the “golden age” of the Philippines.

Eyebrows colliding on my forehead, mouth agape and almost twisted, I would ask what makes them think that when there are countless records and up to this day, first hand testimonies of torture, murder, and overall oppression during those years.

To me, there is no progress that could justify the number of lives that the Marcos rule ruined. But you cannot always brush aside those comments of your fellow citizens who truly believe Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was the best president this nation has ever seen. Them being able to see the Marcoses in a positive light will always have a hand in determining our nation’s future. Anyone who believes the use of an iron hand is necessary for change is in danger of placing a dictator in power.

And we have placed a dictator in power, over 16 million Filipinos out there have.

Let me just say, gone are those days when I would try to convince myself that there is a shred of good in this president. Back then I thought, he won the elections fair and square. Majority of the people believed in him so to be fair to him, I have long convinced myself that if he cared so much about the poor, if he lived a humble lifestyle, if he said he won’t return any favor to those who helped him in his campaign, then maybe, just maybe, he really could bring about change. If his policies could provide more jobs and feed the people, if his policies could free education at it should be ideally, then he might be worth keeping the faith that him winning really did mean “change is coming”.

But in over a year, he has buried a plundering, murderous long dead dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He has provided reasons for this but basically, it is a favor to the Marcoses whom he claims are his friends. He has freed another plundering, lying, thick-faced former president and called her his “boss”. He has delivered our supposed to be hard-won victory over the disputed Spratly Islands to the Chinese in the guise of friendship, something that is very shortsighted if I might say.

He has done many, many things. But what really stands out is him keeping his word that blood would really spill once he becomes president.

But despite the bloodshed, despite the injustices and downright oppression of his political dissenters (have you heard of this columnist arrested by the PNP in Ilocos? He was arrested without Warrant of Arrest), many people will still think that he is doing good.

I don’t know, there really are just people out there who believe Duterte is the solution, perhaps they think the man walks on water or something. But have you ever wondered why?

While 17 year old Kian Lloyd Delos Santos died in the hands of the police under mere suspicion, there is 17 year old Isabelle Duterte. A princess who took a stroll in his grandfather’s palace, clad in the most beautiful gowns, taking pictures of herself for her 18th birthday.

I will not go into the nitty-gritty anymore of the legit functions of the presidential seal, but the message that I am really getting out of all these is contained in a word – PRIVILEGE.

A plunderer who’s obviously guilty is friends with the president while countless innocent civilians who may have just passed by some dark road one night die over allegations of peddling drugs.

There are those who suffer, there are those who wear gowns and enjoy the privilege of being on the side of the one who is currently in power.

That is why life can be really tricky for those who stand by their principles. That is why life is harder for those who have a clear sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice.

Life is harder for those who wouldn’t trade their principles over privilege.

Isabelle Duterte was born with it since she is family. I cannot say it is the same for all the others./WDJ