Centenarian rightist Juan Ponce Enrile recently criticized former strongman Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, stating that it was not a legitimate law enforcement policy. This led to backlash from Duterte supporters, resulting in Enrile’s brief suspension from Facebook. The ongoing conflict between Enrile and the Duterte fandom highlights the importance of focusing on political issues rather than personalities in the midst of midterm elections.

The article emphasizes the need to shift focus from horse race coverage and personality-driven politics to substantive issues that affect the common good. By scrutinizing politicians based on their stance on important issues like jobs, food security, healthcare, worker’s rights, and education, voters can make more informed decisions. The article argues that seeing elections as a horse race can lead to frustrations over an uninformed electorate and the phenomenon of labeling voters as “bobo.”

Research shows that media reporting focused on political actors’ motivations for gaining power rather than substantive concerns for the common good can alienate the public from politics. The article encourages voters to pay attention to relevant issues and hold politicians accountable for addressing these concerns. Ultimately, the article calls for a shift towards issue-based politics rather than personality-driven showbiz politics.