Breathless. Heavy. Scrambling.
As the man desperately chased after the moving vehicle—feet against the hot concrete–the camera remained steady, a sinister laugh echoing from behind. While the scorching sun continuously fatigued him, the video remained rolling—reducing the poor man into a thumbnail accompanied by a clickbait caption for entertainment and views. Play. Replay. Repeat.
Just recently, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned a vlogger and their driver after a viral video gained attention for pretending to drive away without paying for gas from an employee at a gasoline station in Allacapan, Cagayan. While it was later on revealed that the video was ‘scripted’ and was used merely for content, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao still reiterated that it was unacceptable, regardless of the motive behind the said video.
The issue transcends traffic violations as soon as we learn about the figure behind the camera: the former mayor of the Municipality of Allacapan—Harry Florida. His role shifts the entire narrative from a simple prank to a systemic issue where subordinates are often used as props to satisfy a politician’s pursuit of social media relevance.
While Florida and his supporters may hide under the claim of the stunt being entirely ‘scripted’, this does not entirely erase the fact that it is unethical. It has been a common occurrence now—the former mayor using his said subordinate for videos with the same nature as the one that went viral—where he is often the butt of the joke. Although it can be argued that they have already grown accustomed to it, there are still possibilities that coercion might be at play—not directly, but through the pressures of the evident power imbalance.
Can a subordinate truly refuse when the person behind the camera holds such authority over their livelihood?
Consent in this context, where power is unevenly distributed, becomes questionable. Through our lenses, it may seem as if the person is almost willing to partake in such videos based on how often he is seen on the former Mayor’s Facebook reels, but in reality, his cooperation is more likely to be an ‘armor’ to protect his livelihood from being stripped away, even if it means stripping away his dignity at the cost of a thousand views. This erosion of self-respect is visible in certain instances where the man is filmed massaging the former official’s feet multiple times. It also persists even in unguarded moments where the camera follows him in certain circumstances where he isn’t supposed to be filmed.
It seems as if Florida has turned a man’s entire existence into a 24/7 entertainment show. And yet, despite this clear dehumanization, many citizens from Allacapan still rush to the former Mayor’s defense, arguing that he provides a comfortable life for the man in the video.
They mention how Florida’s subordinate is being constantly pampered. He is given clothes, shelter, and is being taken on vacations whenever he pleases. Despite the luxuries being offered, excusing the former official’s behavior for these reasons establishes a dangerous belief that it is totally fine to have one’s dignity derailed on social media so long as they are being taken care of and are given a good life. A mocked soul is never a fair exchange for a filled stomach.
This defense reveals how blind loyalty can effectively numb a community’s conscience, leading many to celebrate the hand that feeds while ignoring how it simultaneously humiliates. Beyond the power play, this issue has unearthed the deep-seated political fanaticism that has seeped into our moral judgment, blinding us from the ability to properly discern what is right and wrong. In Allacapan—and even in other parts of the country—it seems that as long as the leader remains ‘generous’, ‘funny’, and ‘relatable’ enough for their daily entertainment, his right to strip the dignity of his subordinates remains tolerated and unchallenged.
The responsibility, therefore, does not rest on one man alone, it extends to the very audience that enables him. It is high time that we revisit our standards for the people we call our ‘leaders’. We must not be blinded by superficial kindness and we must not let it blur how we decide whether something is appropriate or not. It is important that we learn to withhold applause from content that thrives from humiliation and begin demanding accountability from those who profit from it.
Because if we continue to reward these videos with attention and engagement, then we are no longer just spectators—we become complicit in the very system that reduces a person into a spectacle for entertainment.
Written by Puting Uwak, Insight PH
Puting Uwak, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
