Fatuous

The word fatuous, if you search on the internet, means complacently foolish or, simply put, pointless. A word often described as insulting but a word that perfectly describes a government that has long condemned its people. If you want a perfect reflection of the word, an example that depicts the core essence of fatuousness, just simply look at the Philippine government.

A recent social media post circulated about an elderly man that lost his life during the celebration of Semana Santa or Holy Week in Pampanga. The post narrated what happened and how the ambulance that was sent to assist him was missing important things such as a proper stretcher for the patient, an assessment kit, an oxygen tank and more. The post did not just narrate the author’s frustration but also questioned us – when are we going to learn? At its core, this is nothing but a product and an aftermath of corruption.

It is frustrating. It is extremely tiring. Every year, the country faces problems. Every day, news outlets report about corruption.

What happened in Pampanga is not just about the lack of proper equipment – it is never just about that. What happened in Pampanga is about how our government has long condemned us. It is about how simple equipment that are meant to assist patients, save lives and are meant to be used for first-aid and health responses are all neglected and the funds meant for them are all stolen.

What happened in Pampanga also doesn’t stop at just corruption. Because corruption, no matter how small it is, is already a condemnation, a failure to the Filipinos. A state plagued by corruption is nothing but a state that is fatuous.

So this incident is not just about disappointment – it must serve as a reminder. A reminder not just to us, not just to the local government of Pampanga, but a reminder to the administration itself. It is a reminder to us to vote for the right people. It is a reminder to the local government how their neglectfulness cost lives and a reminder to the administration about their failure and foolishness.

How many more lives? How many more deaths? We must learn. We must learn that our votes aren’t just numbers, it holds our future, and it holds our lives.