What are we supposed to be mad about now?
A corruption scandal one day, a global oil crisis the next, some days just get a bit too much in the Philippines. Such is the status quo we’ve all gotten used to throughout the years—to take on one problem after the other, without even taking care of the one prior, all to address neither of them.
As such, when we continue to grapple with several concurrent issues, it becomes imperative to ask: What are we exactly supposed to be mad about now?
All that ails us
Amending RA 8479 and regulating oil: Diesel closing in on P200 (as of writing), the peso value being at its lowest historically, and rising prices across the board. The ongoing global oil shortage has shown how deregulation puts the general public at risk in times of crisis.
Band-aid solutions won’t cut it anymore, and regularization should at least be considered by the national government in preparation for the next crisis.
Flood control, still not under control: Since nepo babies and ghost projects came under our radars, the national government has arrested several noteworthy personalities and recovered billions of pesos in stolen wealth.
Yet, in just a few months, it will be the rainy season, and millions of Filipinos will once again suffer from the corruption and incompetence of a few.
Unaffordable housing for Filipinos: According to a 2025 survey by Gallup, the Philippines has the worst housing affordability among emerging markets, with over 54 percent of respondents claiming difficulties in housing-related finances.
Looking at our housing market, it’s clear that there is a shortage of affordable, middle-ground options. It’s either you break the bank to live comfortably or you spend little on a place that barely constitutes anything decent.
What exactly is causing this? In the 2025 Urban Land Institute Asia-Pacific Home Attainability Index, it is noted that condominium prices in Metro Manila exceed the median annual household income by 19.8 times—33.4 times for townhouses. The Philippine Statistics Authority supports this finding, reporting that household income has only grown by 20 percent since 2019, in contrast with residential property prices that have grown by 62 percent.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte explains that residential developers are less likely to invest in affordable housing, as higher-end condominiums are more likely to generate higher profits.
Statutory rape in the Philippines: Just last week, an 11-year-old student from Camarines Sur penned a heartfelt letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: “Mr. President, how will we read if we are being raped?” asks the brave sender, recounting how certain government officials in the area have repeatedly violated several minors without repercussion.
While President Marcos Jr. immediately responded to the plea and vowed to send assistance their way, the letter opened further dialogue on the widespread prevalence of statutory rape in the Philippines. In fact, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows over 3,000 live births by mothers under the age of 15, with the majority connected to men of significantly older age.
Eyes on the ball
These are just a few of the many issues our country currently faces. And while anger directed at our government can often feel tiring and pointless, the answer is still to be mad at all of it.
Because the moment we pick and choose what applies to us, what we leave behind will continue to affect millions of others.
And if letting a more pressing issue take hold of the national consciousness is all it takes to curb accountability, wearing a neck brace and laying low for a while is a deal most politicians would take.
