*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD
Philippine politics has always moved like a pendulum, swinging back and forth in response to the failures and excesses of those in power. If massive corruption continues to dominate our national narrative until 2027, then by 2028 it is almost certain that the political mood will shift toward a leader who embodies anti-corruption and good governance. This is the pattern we have seen repeatedly in our history. After the authoritarian rule of Marcos Sr., the people turned to Cory Aquino, who symbolized honesty and democracy. After the corruption scandals of Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepped in as a stabilizer. When Arroyo herself was tainted by controversy, Noynoy Aquino rose to power with the rallying cry, “Kung walangcorrupt, walang mahirap.” Each leadership choice was less about ideology and more about reaction—the people seeking the opposite of what had failed them before.
If the flood control scam, questionable deals, and misuse of public funds continue to define this administration’s legacy, the next election will be shaped by outrage and the longing for integrity. It is in this political atmosphere that someone like Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong could emerge as a natural beneficiary of the people’s frustration. Magalong has consistently built a reputation as a reformist leader, unafraid to challenge entrenched interests. As a police general, he is best remembered for his courage in leading the Mamasapano Board of Inquiry in 2015, where he spoke truth to power and revealed uncomfortable facts about command responsibility. That act of integrity cost him politically within the police hierarchy, but it won him the respect of many Filipinos who saw in him a rare official who put truth above careerism. As mayor of Baguio, he has continued to uphold transparency, accountability, and discipline, making good governance more than just a slogan.
But Magalong may not be alone in this reformist lane. Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato could emerge as a dark horse in 2028. Unlike the traditional political heavyweights, Tamayo has quietly built his image as a pragmatic provincial leader who delivers results without the noise of national theatrics. His leadership has now expanded beyond his province: he was reelected as President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and continues to serve as Chairman of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), positions that grant him both national visibility and influence among governors, mayors, and local officials across the country. Coupled with his role as national president of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Tamayo now sits at the center of a powerful network of local executives. Add to this his track record in South Cotabato, particularly his free education initiatives, and he presents himself as a credible grassroots-oriented alternative. His relatively quiet demeanor compared to louder national figures could become his strength, especially if the electorate grows weary of traditional dynastic personalities.
If the country enters 2028 drowning in scandals and disillusionment, candidates like Magalong and Tamayo represent a different kind of leadership—grounded in discipline, honesty, and public service rather than entrenched political privilege. They may not have the machinery of dynasties, but they carry something potentially more powerful: credibility. That credibility could resonate strongly with an electorate tired of recycled names and promises.
Still, the bigger challenge lies not in the emergence of leaders, but in the maturity of the electorate. The pendulum will swing, yes—but where it lands will depend on the Filipino people’s ability to distinguish between genuine reformers and populists who only wear the mask of integrity. Our nation has been betrayed before by leaders who promised change but delivered the same politics of self-interest. If Filipinos truly want 2028 to be a turning point, we must go beyond slogans and personalities. We must demand a government that acts, not just talks; that delivers reforms, not just rhetoric.
In the end, the possibility of a Magalong or a Tamayo
candidacy is not simply about two men’s leadership—it is about whether the
Filipino people are finally ready to reward honesty and competence with the
highest office of the land. If corruption continues unchecked, the demand for
integrity will define the next elections. And perhaps, just perhaps, the
pendulum will swing in favor of true reform.
