By Herman M. Lagon
One quiet tragedy in today’s political culture is how difficult sensible disagreement has become online. Public discussions online have become harder to navigate because emotions now often overpower evidence. People who disagree are quickly labeled enemies, and thoughtful criticism is treated as personal hatred. What was once imagined as a democratic space for exchange sometimes feels more like a chaotic barangay argument online. The reactions to Robin Padilla replacing Bam Aquino in the Senate committee on education reflected that growing culture perfectly.
One viral Hiligaynon comment defending Robin Padilla captures this problem well. Instead of discussing whether Padilla has the policy background, educational experience or legislative focus needed for such a role, the post attacks critics personally — calling them “manol,” failures or bitter complainers. But insulting people does not automatically invalidate their concerns. A struggling teacher may still raise valid questions about education policy. A student may still intelligently question leadership appointments.
The comment also quietly assumes that popularity, wealth and fame automatically prove competence. But democracy was never meant to work like a fan club. Public service — especially in education — should ideally be measured through preparation, vision, track record, and capacity for policy work, not celebrity appeal alone.
Another problem is the false framing that critics supposedly believe “only Bam Aquino understands education.” That is not really the issue. Many people are not saying that only one politician is qualified for the role. They are simply asking whether someone with stronger experience in education reform, school governance or youth policy might be better suited for such an important responsibility. But instead of engaging that concern honestly, some responses exaggerate the criticism into something easier to attack emotionally.
More troubling is the growing belief that ordinary citizens somehow lose the right to question leaders unless they are equally rich, famous or powerful. Democracy was never meant to work that way. Citizens do not need to become senators before questioning senators. Teachers do not need celebrity status before speaking about education. Students do not need famous surnames to care about the future of their schools.
Education affects ordinary Filipinos most deeply. Public school teachers, exhausted parents, struggling learners, and poor communities carry the real burden of educational failure. That is why leadership decisions in education naturally invite serious public discussion.
Many critics of the committee reshuffle are not attacking Robin Padilla as a person. The concern is simpler than that: Education is too important to be treated casually. Bam Aquino, whatever one thinks of his politics, had long built his public image around scholarships, youth employment and free tertiary education. Robin Padilla’s public image has long been tied more to show business and celebrity influence than to education policy, so many Filipinos understandably wondered whether he was the best fit for the role.
Education is simply too important to take lightly. The system carries the future of nearly 25 million learners and depends on around 900,000 teachers across the country. Behind every statistic are tired educators, packed classrooms and students still trying to catch up after years of learning struggles. For many, the conversation was never just about Bam Aquino or Robin Padilla — it was about the future of Filipino learners.
To be fair, supporters argue that new voices can still contribute meaningfully. That is a valid point. But unfortunately, much of the online discussion drifted away from policy and qualifications and became another battle of loyalty and ego.
What feels more alarming is how social media increasingly mocks expertise itself. Research becomes “arte.” Thoughtful criticism becomes “pa-smart.” Serious questions become “reklamo.” Meanwhile, popularity is treated as proof of competence.
But democracy becomes fragile when celebrity politics consistently outweighs evidence, preparation and policy discussion.
This issue is ultimately bigger than Bam Aquino or Robin Padilla. It reflects a deeper Filipino political habit: confusing fame with fitness for leadership.
And perhaps real democratic maturity begins when we learn to admire leaders without losing the courage to question them.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world that is grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views herewith do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./WDJ