Dr. John's Wishful Thinking

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Marcoleta and the Politics of Sympathy: Can his Plunder Case Controversy Become Political Capital in 2028?

*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM

There was a time when I was having coffee with a few friends after a lecture on political leadership. As expected, the conversation drifted toward politics. One of them suddenly asked me, “Sir, bakit ganoon? Minsan habang mas maraming problema ang isang politiko, lalo namang sumisikat?”

Napangiti ako.

I told them, “Because Philippine politics is not governed by logic alone. It is also governed by emotion.”

The Filipino voter is unique. Hindi lang tayo bumoboto gamit ang isip. Maraming pagkakataon, ang puso ang unang bumoboto bago ang utak. Kapag may nakita tayong taong tila inaapi o dehado, natural sa ating kultura ang maawa. At ang awa, kapag lumalim, nagiging simpatya. Ang simpatya, kapag naging malawak, puwedeng maging boto.

That is one of the most fascinating realities of Philippine politics.

Let me be candid.

I have never considered myself a loyal follower of Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. In fact, there were times when I found his style in congressional hearings and later in the Senate too confrontational. Minsan nga, naaasar pa ako sa kanyang mahahabang interpellation. Hindi iyon ang klase ng political style na personal kong gusto.

But political analysis demands objectivity.

Bilang political analyst, hindi dapat personal ang pagsusuri. Hindi dapat nakabatay sa gusto o ayaw natin sa isang tao. Ang mahalaga ay maintindihan natin kung paano mag-isip ang taumbayan.

And that is exactly what I am seeing today.

Regardless of one’s political affiliation, one cannot ignore that the public conversation surrounding Marcoleta has changed. Hindi na lang usapin kung tama o mali ang mga legal na isyu. Unti-unti, may mga Pilipinong nagsisimulang tumingin sa kanya bilang isang taong dumaraan sa matinding pagsubok. Whether that perception is accurate or not is another discussion altogether. But politically, perception has power.

History teaches us that legal controversies do not always destroy political careers.

Sometimes…

They build them.

We have seen this not only in the Philippines but in many democracies around the world. Political adversity has, on several occasions, produced unexpected political momentum. A politician who was once known only to a particular constituency suddenly becomes a national figure because everyone is talking about him.

Visibility creates familiarity.

Familiarity sometimes creates sympathy.

And sympathy can eventually become political capital.

This is not a legal conclusion.

This is my political analysis.

The same dynamic, in my opinion, is also unfolding in the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.

As I have written in my previous essays, I do not believe the impeachment trial is being watched only by the senator-judges. Every hearing is also being watched by millions of Filipinos. Every opening statement, every objection, every press conference, every exchange inside the Senate is simultaneously being presented before another audience—the Filipino people.

That is why I have consistently maintained that the impeachment trial has two courtrooms.

The first courtroom is inside the Senate.

The second courtroom is inside the living rooms of millions of Filipino families.

From my perspective, many of the narratives being presented by the defense are not directed solely toward persuading the senator-judges. They also appear designed to resonate with ordinary Filipinos who are following the proceedings through television, radio, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

Again, that is my interpretation as a student of political communication.

Whether one agrees with that interpretation or not is part of healthy democratic discourse.

If Vice President Sara Duterte survives the impeachment process, the entire impeachment itself may eventually become part of her political narrative. Instead of weakening her, it could strengthen the emotional connection she has with supporters and even with some undecided voters who may view her as someone who endured a difficult political battle.

Politics has always been about narratives.

But now, another narrative is emerging.

The national attention surrounding Marcoleta has likewise elevated his political visibility. Whether his legal issues are ultimately resolved in his favor or otherwise will be determined by the proper legal institutions through due process. That process must be respected. But from a purely political standpoint, there is no denying that his name is now part of everyday political conversations.

And in politics, relevance is currency.

As a political analyst, I have learned never to underestimate how quickly alliances and electoral dynamics can change. For that reason, I would not be surprised if political observers eventually begin discussing the possibility of an Inday Sara–Marcoleta tandem for 2028—if Vice President Sara Duterte successfully navigates her current political challenges and if Marcoleta likewise resolves his legal issues through the proper legal process.

This is not a prediction.

It is not an endorsement.

It is simply one possible political scenario based on recurring patterns in Philippine politics, where adversity sometimes creates momentum instead of ending it.

Whether such a tandem would eventually materialize is another matter.

Whether the Filipino people would embrace it is an even bigger question.

Only history can answer that.

This entire discussion also brings me back to one principle that I have consistently advocated through Integritocracy.

Justice must never be selective.

Hindi dapat depende sa political color.

Hindi dapat depende kung administration o opposition.

Hindi dapat depende kung kaibigan o kalaban.

If there is sufficient evidence against any public official, then let the law take its course.

But the same standard must apply equally to everyone.

Kapag ang taumbayan ay nakakakita na tila may mga kasong mabilis umusad habang ang iba ay tila hindi man lamang naaabot ng parehong antas ng imbestigasyon, natural lamang na magkaroon ng mga tanong. Whether those perceptions are accurate or not, they influence public trust in institutions.

An Integritocracy demands consistency.

It demands equal accountability.

It demands equal justice.

Because justice that appears selective can unintentionally produce the very political consequence it never intended.

Instead of weakening a politician, it may strengthen the sympathy surrounding that politician.

And in Philippine politics, sympathy has always been one of the most powerful political currencies.

At the end of the day, elections are not won inside courtrooms.

Neither are they won inside Senate hearing rooms.

They are won inside the hearts and minds of ordinary Filipinos.

History has repeatedly reminded us that today’s controversy can become tomorrow’s campaign story.

Today’s legal challenge can become tomorrow’s narrative of resilience.

Whether that ultimately happens in 2028 remains uncertain.

But if there is one lesson Philippine politics has consistently taught us, it is this:

Never underestimate the political power of sympathy, and never underestimate the Filipino voter’s capacity to transform adversity into opportunity.

#DJOT

*****************************************

_______________________________________

Dear friends,

I am thrilled to share that my latest book about "Integritocracy" is now available on Amazon! Writing this has been a deeply fulfilling journey, but what makes this milestone truly special is the purpose behind it.

I have decided that the proceeds from the sales of this book will go entirely toward a worthy charitable cause close to my heart: funding academic scholarships for deserving and underprivileged students.

Education has the power to transform lives, and by purchasing a copy, you aren't just getting a new read—you are directly helping to pave the way for a bright student's future.

If you would like to support this mission and grab your copy, you can find it directly on Amazon here:

  Click this get a copy at AMAZON

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

*About the author:

Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission.

VIEWS: 2.42M

Saturday, July 11, 2026

The Invisible Achiever: Antonio Lagdameo Jr. and the Quiet Burden of Serving Behind the President

*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM

Many years ago, while discussing leadership in one of my graduate classes, I asked my students a simple question.

“Who deserves the credit when a government program succeeds?”

Almost everyone answered the same way.

“The President, Sir.”

Then I asked another question.

“Who makes sure the President’s instructions actually reach the agencies, are monitored, coordinated, and followed through?”

The room suddenly became quiet.

That silence reminded me of an important lesson in public administration: the most important people in an organization are not always the most visible.

Every successful leader has people behind him who make leadership work. Every successful orchestra has a conductor who is not playing an instrument. Every championship basketball team has assistant coaches who are never interviewed after the game. Every successful President has trusted people working quietly behind the scenes.

One of those people today is Antonio Lagdameo Jr., the Special Assistant to the President.

Most Filipinos may not know him personally. They rarely see him giving lengthy press conferences or engaging in political debates. Yet those familiar with how government operates understand that some of the most demanding responsibilities are carried out away from television cameras.

That is why I often describe him as an invisible achiever.

His office is not designed to build highways, construct airports, harvest rice, or arrest criminals. Those are the responsibilities of implementing agencies. The role of the Special Assistant to the President is different. It is to help ensure that the President’s priorities are coordinated across government, that directives are monitored, and that the machinery of the Executive Branch continues to move efficiently.

Sa madaling salita, hindi siya ang nasa entablado.

Siya ang isa sa mga taong tumitiyak na maayos ang buong palabas.

At kapag maayos ang palabas, ang papalakpakan ay ang mga nasa harapan.

Kapag may problema naman, madalas pati ang mga nasa likod ay nadadamay.

That is the paradox of public service.

The better a coordinator performs, the less the public notices. Success is usually attributed to the agencies that implement projects, while the people who quietly connect the dots remain almost anonymous.

But anonymity should never be mistaken for insignificance.

In fact, some of the most valuable work in government happens inside meeting rooms rather than on campaign stages. It happens in follow-up meetings, inter-agency coordination, policy monitoring, conflict resolution, and ensuring that one office communicates effectively with another.

These are responsibilities that rarely trend on social media.

Yet they are indispensable.

As someone who has spent decades studying governance, leadership, and organizational management, I have always believed that effective administration is measured not only by grand speeches but by consistent execution.

Plans are important.

Vision is important.

But execution is where public service is truly tested.

And execution requires coordination.

This is where the Office of the Special Assistant to the President quietly becomes one of the most important support pillars of the Office of the President.

Of course, occupying such a position also means becoming a natural target of criticism.

That is part of public service.

In a democracy, criticism is inevitable. Every administration is scrutinized. Every senior official is questioned. Every decision is examined from different political perspectives.

That is not necessarily a weakness of democracy.

It is one of its strengths.

However, those who choose to serve at the highest levels of government understand that criticism comes with the territory.

It is one of the occupational hazards of public service.

People may criticize.

Political opponents may disagree.

Social media may amplify every issue.

Yet public servants still report to work every morning because their commitment is to serve, not to seek universal approval.

No public official can expect to please everyone.

The true measure of leadership is not the absence of criticism but the willingness to continue serving with professionalism despite it.

I believe Antonio Lagdameo Jr. exemplifies this quiet professionalism.

He has largely stayed away from political theatrics.

He has allowed his office to perform its coordinating role without seeking constant public recognition.

He has accepted that others will receive the applause when government programs succeed, while criticism may still find its way to those working behind the scenes.

That requires a different kind of leadership.

Not leadership driven by applause.

But leadership driven by responsibility.

Today’s political environment often rewards visibility over substance.

Many public officials measure success by media mileage, social media trends, or the number of interviews they grant.

But government is not sustained by publicity alone.

It is sustained by disciplined administrators who work long hours, coordinate countless meetings, resolve operational bottlenecks, and quietly help transform presidential directives into concrete action.

Those individuals seldom become household names.

Yet without them, even the best policies can fail.

As citizens, we should continue to evaluate every public official fairly and critically. Accountability remains essential in a democratic society. But fairness also requires acknowledging that government is a collective enterprise. Many of its most meaningful contributions come from people whose names are rarely mentioned in headlines.

Antonio Lagdameo Jr. belongs to that category of public servant.

He may never become the loudest voice in the administration.

He may never dominate political headlines.

But sometimes, the quietest workers leave the deepest imprint because they choose results over recognition.

In the end, history has a unique way of remembering public servants.

Some are remembered because they constantly sought the spotlight.

Others are remembered because they quietly kept the government moving while the spotlight was shining on everyone else.

For me, Antonio Lagdameo Jr. represents the latter.

He reminds us that leadership is not always about being seen.

Sometimes, leadership is about making sure the nation continues to move forward—even if no one notices the person helping keep the wheels of government turning.

And perhaps that is one of the noblest forms of public service.