Opinion | Justice Must Not Wear Political Colors

A democracy is measured not by how it treats those in power, but by how it treats those who criticize it. In the Philippines today, many citizens are asking whether justice is being administered equally or whether political affiliation has become a factor in how laws are enforced.

Among supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, there is a growing perception that individuals identified with the Duterte camp face closer scrutiny from law enforcement agencies. Arrests during demonstrations, criminal complaints against political allies, investigations involving social media personalities, and legal actions against outspoken critics of the administration have reinforced the belief among many that dissent is increasingly met with prosecution.

At the same time, supporters of the Marcos administration argue that these actions are legitimate exercises of the rule of law. They maintain that no individual should be immune from investigation simply because of political status and that arrests and criminal cases should be evaluated on the basis of evidence rather than political narratives. They also note that anyone charged with an offense is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

Yet perception matters in a democracy.

When government supporters appear to receive praise, recognition, or favorable public treatment while critics believe they are disproportionately subjected to investigations and legal action, questions about fairness inevitably arise. Whether these perceptions are accurate or not, they influence public confidence in institutions entrusted with administering justice.

The issue extends beyond individual politicians. It concerns the integrity of democratic institutions. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts must remain independent and be seen as independent. Justice should never be viewed as a reward for loyalty or a penalty for dissent.

History reminds Filipinos that selective justice weakens democracy. Governments change, political alliances shift, and today's majority can become tomorrow's opposition. Institutions that are perceived as serving political interests rather than the Constitution risk losing the trust that gives them legitimacy.

The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, freedom of expression, and due process for every Filipino. These protections belong equally to administration supporters, opposition members, activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens. They are not privileges granted by those in power but rights protected by law.

For this reason, every allegation of politically motivated prosecution deserves careful scrutiny, just as every allegation of criminal wrongdoing deserves a fair and impartial investigation. Accountability and civil liberties are not competing values; they are complementary pillars of democratic governance.

The Philippines has experienced political divisions before, but the strength of its democracy will ultimately be judged by whether its institutions remain faithful to the Constitution rather than to political personalities. Citizens may disagree on policies, leaders, and ideologies, but they should be united in demanding one fundamental principle: justice must be blind to political affiliation.

A government earns public trust not by favoring its supporters or silencing its critics, but by demonstrating that the law applies equally to everyone. That principle remains the strongest safeguard of democracy and the surest foundation for national unity.