I will have to put this bluntly. The “unity” that supporters of Bongbong Marcos tout so often is an “exclusive” unity with an almost cult-like quality.
It’s ironic that the same people who cry “Cancel culture!” against their opponents are the ones who keep pushing away those who are against their idol.
I’ve seen this not only in discussions on social media but also on arguments on public places.
Apparently, Marcos Jr. supporters believe that in order for other people to be accepted into their fold, they must unquestioningly accept the peddled myth that the Marcoses are the saviors of the nation, all those who oppose them are “dilawan” or “komunista,” and that only Marcos – repeat, ONLY Marcos Jr. – will solve all of the nation’s ills.
Whenever they hear anything against their idol, they will immediately go into the offensive and bash that person. In fact, there have been reports that even that single word – “magnanakaw” – will trigger their bots, even if Marcos Jr. is never mentioned at all.
-o0o-
Here are some of the characteristics of a cult forwarded by the International Cultic Studies Association (ISCA):
The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment.
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah or an avatar; the group and/or the leader has a special mission to save humanity).
The group has a polarized “us-versus-them” mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society.
The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities (or any law whatsoever)
The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify means that members would have considered unethical before joining the group.
Members' subservience to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group.
Sounds familiar?
Who Needs Anarchy
Many of these characteristics are found not only in religious cults but also in totalitarian or autocratic governments where leaders do everything to hold their people under their grip.
Tragically, these same characteristics are now being infused in party systems in most democratic countries.
Many Filipinos fear that should Marcos Jr. gain the presidency, his mob of followers will tend to put the law into their own hands under a misguided belief that their support for him provides THE excuse for them to do whatever they want.
In a country just recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic – and buffeted by the economic impacts of instabilities abroad – anarchy is the last thing we need.