Money and Power: Weapons against Humanity

by Mihaela A. Amistoso

Once in our life, we most likely have heard of the saying, “Money can not buy everything.” And while at some point I have believed that this might be true, there is this one thing money can surely buy.

If you set aside some time, and watch the news, you will see a vast increase in injustices every day. The number of drug-related cases, murders, and crimes against humanity in the Philippines does not lie and publicizes the ugly truth. But that is not all. You can also see the effect of money in these unfortunate situations. You will see how money has the power to claim everything and everyone. How it favors the powerful, and ignores the weak.

The Philippines was categorized as a Lower-middle income economy in 2020. And while our country suffers a 17.1% poverty percentage, there will always be people who unfortunately use this situation to attain more power, and influence.

Let us take Percy Lapid’s case as an example. Percival Mabasa, a radio show host in the Philippines was shot to death in his vehicle, on his way home. On October 18, a man named Joel Escorial surrendered himself claiming that he was Percy Lapid’s shooter. He confessed that he was paid ₱140,000 out of the ₱550,000 that was promised to them to do all the work.

With the lack of income, and opportunities for people in the poverty line, they will most likely take every chance they get to increase their income, be it legal or not. As the rich continue to abuse their money, and weaponize it against people who are in desperate need, we can proudly say that money is indeed lethal.

These people blinded by money often ignore the cries of the poor simply because they can. They have the option and privilege to ignore their sufferings, while the poor are left with no choice. These are the same people that turn to them when they need to order something that is against the law. These people know how strong their influence is, and use it to their extent. Once the dirty work is done, they continue to live life comfortably, unbeknownst that they have changed people’s lives forever. They continue to live comfortably as they know that with the money they have, they can get away with everything. They feast on the vulnerable and their riches.

The questionable justice system of our country adds the cherry on top of these heinous crimes powered by higher-ups. Criminals with an influential background often get treated like royalty in prisons, while those who have committed the same or lower-intensity crimes get treated like animals. Because of their lack of power, it seems like they are criminalized for the fact that they can not pay, not because they have committed a crime. Despite the horrible record, there are even criminals elected to government positions, which is honestly quite ironic as they are supposed to serve as role models for the masses, and fight injustices but have already failed to do so.

A truthful future is not promised with a justice system powered by criminals themselves.

We can never justify the unjustifiable. May they be more affluent, more powerful, and more influential than us; on all sides, people who dehumanize the poor and powerless despite all the other options available will never be ethical. Those who lose humanity because of money, were never human.