Opinion: Excessive Reverence for the Rich and Influential Weakens Accountability
Writer Gege Cruz Sugue, in her opinion piece in PhilStar, shared how a group of celebrities reacted angrily when asked to lower their voices in a café. What she exposed was a social sickness that feels all too familiar — especially here in our towns across Zamboanga Sibugay. It’s the sickness of excessive reverence for the rich, the powerful, and the famous.
This sickness isn’t just in Manila’s elite spaces. We see it every day in our own communities and beyond. It’s there when people lower their heads in exaggerated respect before politicians but raise their voices against the poor. It’s there when ordinary citizens are quick to excuse the wrongdoing of the influential because “they helped during election season” or “they’re from a powerful family.”
That’s how inequality becomes normal. When we bow too low before those in power, we reinforce the same mindset that keeps us small. We feed the culture that enables political dynasties, shields corruption, and silences criticism.
We create a world where people fear offending those “above” them more than they fear betraying what is right.
We often hear people say, “Respeto lang, mayor na gud na,” or “Ayaw i-criticize, basin masuko.” But respect is not submission. Respect is moral, not political. It must never be confused with fear.
Even in the Church, we’re not immune.
Some pastors and church leaders, instead of shepherding their flock with humility, start demanding special treatment — forgetting that Christ Himself washed His disciples’ feet. Jesus did not seek power; He subverted it. “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,” He said (Matthew 20:26).
We must reclaim that ethic of servant leadership, especially here in our local governance. True greatness in public service is not measured by the number of tarpaulins bearing one’s face, but by the number of lives quietly lifted from poverty and despair.
If we truly want to see progress in our towns, or Zamboanga Sibugay prospers, we must stop worshiping people in power and start holding them accountable. We must honor not those who rule, but those who serve — the tricycle driver who endures the heat to feed his family, the teacher who walks far to reach her students, the honest public servant who does his duty without fanfare.
The Philippines — and our province in particular — will never move forward if reverence continues to be at the wrong place. Power deserves scrutiny, not worship. Leaders should earn respect through service, not demand it by status.
Let’s not allow position and privilege dazzle us. Let’s celebrate integrity, humility, and compassion — the virtues that truly build communities. Only when we stop bowing to the powerful can we finally stand tall as a people.
Antonio Manaytay is the Editor and Publisher of the Daily Sun Chronicle, a correspondent for Rappler, and a pastor who writes on faith, justice, and social ethics.
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