Of Greed, Insanity and Upheaval

 

                                                   (image: youtube.com/ one news ph)

Maniid lamang ta.

What becomes of an organization when its leader struggles with mental challenges? If psychological issues remain unaddressed, how might they cascade downward, influencing the very people under their management? Such a scenario poses a profound difficulty—one that can disrupt not only team dynamics but also the overall performance and well-being of the organization.

In the same way, what becomes of a nation when its leaders are consumed by a sickness of the mind—where greed corrodes their values and integrity? Even when their corruption is laid bare, they persist, striving to normalize greed as though it were an acceptable standard. Such moral decay not only undermines governance but also erodes the ethical foundations upon which a country’s future depends.

This concern is not merely theoretical. Cristina Chi of The Philippine Star reported that thousands are expected to gather on Sunday, September 21, at Luneta and the EDSA People Power Monument for rallies denouncing corruption in flood-control projects. These demonstrations coincide with the 53rd anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s 1972 declaration of martial law, a date long remembered by activists as a time of dictatorship abuses and resistance against authoritarian rule. Organizers of the “Baha Sa Luneta” protest — composed of students and groups such as the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law — emphasize that their call is not only to condemn present-day corruption but also to prevent the repetition of past deceptions, abuses, and plunder.

To a discerning observer, such developments may evoke parallels with Nepal, where members of Generation Z, disillusioned by systemic corruption, resorted to violence and stripped public officials of their dignity. The unchecked greed of leaders appeared to seep into the consciousness of the youth, who, overwhelmed by a government they could no longer endure, erupted in fury and chaos.

This raises a critical question: Why do leaders succumb to excessive greed? Is it the intoxication of power, the erosion of moral restraint, or the false belief that wealth and influence can shield them from accountability? Whatever the cause, unchecked avarice not only corrodes their integrity but also imperils the very society they are sworn to serve.

Research supports this concern. When accountability mechanisms are fragile, leaders are more likely to rationalize self-serving behaviors at the expense of public welfare (Kipnis, 2013). Moreover, systemic corruption perpetuates greed by normalizing unethical conduct, creating a cycle difficult to break (Transparency International, 2023). As Collier (2017) argues, unchecked greed in governance erodes public trust and undermines democratic institutions, paving the way for political instability.

The youth, in particular, often respond when they perceive that the social contract has been broken—when corruption, greed, or abuse of power makes the future appear bleak and unlivable. History demonstrates that younger generations, driven by justice and idealism, are quick to challenge oppressive systems once they conclude that institutions no longer serve the public good (Inglehart & Welzel, 2005). Their dissent emerges not merely from anger, but also from frustration at being silenced and from the urgency to reclaim a future stolen by systemic failures (Feixa et al., 2019). In this sense, youthful revolt becomes both a cry of protest and an act of hope.

Against this backdrop, the Philippine situation cannot be taken lightly. Amid corruption controversies, where public officials are increasingly scrutinized for exploiting resources at the expense of citizens, the possibility of mass outrage cannot be discounted. Comparable incidents have already unfolded in Nepal, where Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was forcibly stripped and driven into a river by protesters during youth-led demonstrations against government misconduct (Gulf News, 2025).

Such episodes illustrate how deep frustration with systemic corruption can escalate into acts of public humiliation and unrest, underscoring the urgency of addressing governance failures before they ignite social upheaval.

The president, whose father was once toppled by a People Power uprising, must therefore reflect more deeply. History has a way of repeating itself when its lessons are ignored, and when leaders allow greed and corruption to poison the foundations of governance, the people will inevitably reclaim their voice.