The Portrait of the Filipino as a Liberal

by Marlowe Selecios of Cagayan de Oro

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 distinguishing him from the radicals who advocate an overthrow. Liberals
are wary of revolutions which almost always lead to tyranny or slip to anarchy. In effecting meaningful
reforms, the liberal believes in working within not outside the system. Like Ninoy, 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 most esteemed of freedoms. The pen is his most
powerful weapon. He believes that an open society, where there is 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 against 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!