Wazzup Pilipinas!?
MY TWO CENTS — The Duterte camp has adopted the slogan “I am not a Filipino for nothing” as a rallying cry, implying that supporting Duterte is an act of patriotism.
But if this phrase is meant to stand for love of country, for defending the nation’s dignity, then it raises a glaring question: Where was this slogan when China was encroaching on our waters during Duterte’s presidency?
For six years, Duterte took a submissive stance toward China, downplaying its illegal occupation of the West Philippine Sea.
He dismissed the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines as just a mere “piece of paper” and even joked about turning the country into a province of China.
His government failed to stop Chinese ships from harassing Filipino fishermen, ignored reports of Chinese military installations in our territory, and even allowed questionable deals like the entry of Chinese-backed firms into our telecommunications and power sectors.
In those moments of national humiliation, when China was violating our sovereignty, why didn’t we hear “I am not a Filipino for nothing” from Duterte and his supporters?
Instead, Duterte mocked and threatened those who dared to stand up for our territorial rights.
He scoffed at the idea of asserting our sovereignty, saying he didn’t want to go to war – as if war was the only option.
He branded critics as troublemakers while choosing appeasement over defense.
He even silenced his own military officials who wanted a firmer stance against China’s incursions.
If being Filipino means fighting for our country, then why did Duterte’s administration choose submission over resistance?
Now, as the Duterte camp faces legal and political challenges – particularly the ICC investigation into the drug war – they conveniently invoke patriotism.
“I am not a Filipino for nothing” is now used to paint Duterte as a victim, as if defending him is the ultimate test of national pride.
But real patriotism isn’t about protecting one man’s legacy; it’s about protecting the nation, its people and its sovereignty.
A leader who refused to stand up to foreign aggression but now demands undying loyalty from his countrymen has no right to claim the mantle of nationalism.
Filipinos are not Filipinos for nothing – but that should mean standing up for the country, not for a politician who failed to do so when it mattered most.
The Duterte camp’s latest rallying cry—"I am not a Filipino for nothing"—seeks to ignite loyalty among their followers. It presents a compelling yet ironic notion: that supporting Duterte is synonymous with patriotism. But if this phrase is truly about love for country, about defending the dignity of the Filipino people, then we must ask—where was this fervor when China was trampling on our sovereignty during Duterte’s presidency?
For six years, the Duterte administration adopted a submissive stance toward China, repeatedly downplaying its illegal incursions into the West Philippine Sea. When the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016, upholding our sovereign rights over the contested waters, Duterte shrugged it off as just a “piece of paper.” Instead of celebrating this hard-earned legal victory, he chose to appease China, joking that he might as well turn the country into one of its provinces.
In those critical moments, when Filipino fishermen were being harassed by Chinese ships, when Chinese military installations were rising in our own territory, when our national dignity was being blatantly disregarded—why didn’t Duterte’s supporters chant “I am not a Filipino for nothing”?
Submission Over Sovereignty
Rather than defending the country’s rights, Duterte mocked and threatened those who dared to speak up. He brushed aside calls to assert our sovereignty, insisting that any firm stance against China would lead to war—a false and cowardly narrative designed to justify inaction. As if war was the only option.
His administration turned a blind eye to China’s growing influence over our economy, allowing questionable deals that gave Chinese-backed firms access to critical sectors like telecommunications and power. He silenced military officials who advocated for stronger resistance against China’s creeping occupation of our waters. He painted critics as agitators, troublemakers, and warmongers—all to justify his own weakness.
So, we ask again: What does it truly mean to be a Filipino? If patriotism is about fighting for our country, then why did Duterte’s administration choose submission over resistance?
The Convenient Use of Patriotism
Now, facing legal and political challenges, including the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into his bloody drug war, Duterte suddenly wraps himself in the flag.
"I am not a Filipino for nothing" is now being used to cast him as a victim, as if standing by Duterte is the ultimate measure of national pride. His supporters claim that defending him against international scrutiny is an act of patriotism, that any attack on him is an attack on the country. But real patriotism is not about protecting one man’s legacy.
A leader who refused to stand up to foreign aggression yet now demands undying loyalty has no right to claim the mantle of nationalism.
Filipinos are not Filipinos for nothing—but that must mean standing up for our country, our people, and our sovereignty. Not for a politician who failed to do so when it mattered most.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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