Politainment

 

                                              (photo: youtube.com)

Sumbagay dakan!

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has accepted the challenge issued by Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to a fistfight, proposing instead a 12-round charity boxing match. The bout, he said, could serve a greater purpose - raising funds for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon.

“Maybe we can use this as an opportunity to raise funds in a charity boxing match,” Torre said during an interview with reporters at Camp Crame on July 23, as reported by The Philippine Star’s Emmanuel Tupas.

Online reactions ranged from excitement to bewilderment, with many netizens debating the figurative versus literal implications of the challenge.

This exemplifies the growing phenomenon of politainment, a term coined by David L. Paletz to describe the fusion of politics and entertainment. In an era dominated by digital media, political figures increasingly engage in performative acts to capture public attention, often prioritizing emotional appeal and spectacle over substantive discourse (Paletz, 1999).

This trend reflects a broader shift in political communication, where public engagement is driven less by policy debates and more by personality-driven narratives, dramatized events, and viral moments. By proposing a fistfight-turned-charity event, both figures engaged in a form of mediated political theater, reinforcing how entertainment values have permeated the political sphere in the age of social media.

Adding to this context is the digital landscape in the Philippines. As of 2025, the country continues to rank among the world’s most connected and socially engaged nations, with approximately 97.2% of internet users accessing the web via mobile phones and around 73–74% smartphone penetration, or about 51 million users. Filipinos spend an average of 3 hours and 34 minutes daily on social media, well above the global average, reflecting a digital culture deeply rooted in mobile connectivity and online interaction.

With over 114 million SIM cards registered, mobile phones have become the primary gateway to information, communication, and political engagement in the country (Statista, 2024; Philstar, 2024; We Are Social & Meltwater, 2024; DataReportal, 2020; Be Global E-Commerce Corp., 2024; AIWhyLive, 2024).

This suggests that social media has become the primary source of information and a significant driver of cognitive engagement for many individuals. As a result, critical thinking and discernment may be diminished, with attention often diverted toward emotionally charged or sensational content, such as the proposed Torre-Duterte boxing match, rather than more pressing socio-political issues.

What now becomes of Torre, who appears to be actively training and preparing for the proposed bout? This writer, also tasked with leading a division, understands the weight of public service: data analysis, policy execution, program oversight, and the constant demand for accountability. These are not light responsibilities. Yet Torre, a high-ranking official, seems willing to shift focus, at least temporarily, for what has been framed as a charity-driven boxing match.

As for the challenger, Baste Duterte, reports as of press time suggest he has flown to Singapore with his family for a vacation. One might wonder: is this a strategic pause or simply coincidental timing? After all, it was he who initiated the challenge.

While there is no personal grievance against either Torre or Duterte, the issue at hand raises larger concerns...

We deserve leaders who do more than simply entertain the public, we need those who inspire trust through integrity, action, and accountability. Likewise, we must strive for a citizenry that does not merely indulge in politainment, but one that speaks out, participates meaningfully, and champions a higher standard of governance. A better country is built not through spectacle, but through a shared commitment to genuine public service and responsible leadership.

True progress begins when both leaders and citizens reject the lure of spectacle and unite in the pursuit of principled governance and meaningful change.