How shielding whistleblowers can pierce the ‘invincibility’ of corrupt elites
MANILA: In Philippine folklore, the agimat or anting-anting is a talisman believed to make its bearer bulletproof, invisible to enemies — or mysteriously protected from harm.
In modern Philippine politics, some officials seem to wear a different kind of anting-anting: impunity.
Despite exposés, Senate hearings, Commission on Audit (COA) reports, and even convictions, a number of politicians manage to recycle their image, return to office, and rewrite their public story.
Scandals fade.
Voters forgive, forget, or grow tired.
The cycle repeats.
This is not just a cultural quirk, like sabong (cockfighting).
Cockfighting, illegal in many countries, is a centuries-old Filipino tradition anchored on extreme animal cruelty as it forces roosters to fight to the death — often with attached blades locally known as "tari", gaff made of a sharp metal blade — causing immense suffering, injuries like punctured lungs, and death.
It is prohibited in most jurisdictions due to its strong association with illegal gambling, money laundering, drug trafficking, and violence.
In the Philippines, no leader local or national can mess with sabong, a multi-billion industry.
Cockfighting arenas, found everywhere, are packed on weekends, or festivals.
Sabong is the top religion in the Philippines, with its own "Kristo".
This culture of impunity, and legends marked by "agimat" or...
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