The Suitcase Speaks Louder Than the Spreadsheet

By Danny Buenafe

Why is the maleta narrative a powerful symbol in the heated political discourse?

"Maleta na puno ng cash" is a very effective message na madaling maintindihan ng masa. To them, dapat mapanagot ang matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan pati mga pulitiko na diumano'y tumanggap ng maleta! It is the language they can easily connect with and understand!

To most of them, it will be hard to comprehend issues of bank transactions, spreadsheets, money laundering, and even misuse of confidential funds kahit sa kabila ng umano'y ebidensya. Sa totoo lang, marami sa hanay ng marginalized sector don't even own a bank account. Real talk tayo rito! This is what I see in all these political noise.

This is where the danger comes in! Many political operators would use the maleta story to push and even agitate certain sectors because they are aligned with their own political agenda.

Let us not fall into this trap. Dapat alam natin ito. Ito ang panahon na mas mapanuri tayo at sundan ang balitang kumpirmado at sigurado.

Social media is toxic, but let's use it para manaig ang katotohanan.

About the Author
A journalist since 1979, Danny Buenafe served as ABS-CBN’s bureau chief in Europe and the Middle East. He anchors Kabayan and hosts Good Job and Aprub ’Yan on DZMM TeleRadyo, continuing his lifelong work of giving voice to Filipinos here and abroad.

He is also part of TNT (The News Team), a podcast composed of veteran and former ABS-CBN journalists committed to truth-telling and countering disinformation in public discourse.