Opposition coalition calls for end to political labeling

An opposition coalition called for the end of political labeling on Easter Sunday, saying this practice has led to “polarization and acrimony” in the Filipino people’s national life, as well as made others “deny difficult truths” in the country today.

“In the spirit of Easter,” Tindig Pilipinas, a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said it was calling on all Filipinos “to move towards ending the polarization and acrimony that punctuate our national life.”

End polarization

“Political hatreds caused by labels such as ‘dilawan’ or ‘Dutertard’ detract from our common humanity. Labels and name-calling prevent us from opening our hearts to the suffering and injustice before us and, in the process, allow our hearts to harden and deny difficult truths,” Tindig Pilipinas said.

The group admitted that it also had been “remiss at times” when it came to political labeling. But it emphasized the need to “elevate national discourse and foster our sense of nationhood.”

“Only when we speak and act with prudence and in truth can we avoid labels [we ourselves have at times been remiss] and transcend our own political persuasions and ideological affiliations. Beyond those divisions, we know and we are — one people,” Tindig Pilipinas said.

‘Dark night of the soul’

Still, the group said it would continue to call out the Duterte administration, adding that the past three days of introspection during Holy Week allowed each one “an opportunity to examine our country’s dark night of the soul.”

The group paid tribute to those who have “lost a loved one to any form of human rights violation, whether this comes from private criminals or criminals with a badge” as it vowed to continue standing by “the women, the oppressed, the marginalized who continue to confront us with the realities of misogyny, oppression and the lack of representation in the national discourse.”

It also said that it “shares” in the suffering of Filipino migrant workers and those facing “uncertain economic futures” because of unemployment and the rising cost of daily living, brought about by the administration’s tax reform law that has resulted in price increases of commodities.

‘Good conquers evil’

“But, even as we are faced with these grim truths, our Christian faith teaches us that Easter Sunday comes after Good Friday, hope prevails over despair and good conquers evil. It is this firm optimism that we know that this present darkness will not last forever,” Tindig Pilipinas said.