The Filipino Privileged Class

There is probably no better example of Filipinos' obsession with titles and privilege than the rampant use of the term ‘ Honorable ‘ by everyone from the highest to the lowest possible official in the government, Used to be reserved for high officials like governors, mayors, congressmen, senators and judges, now even municipal councilors and barangay kagawads demand that they be referred to as “ Honorable “. or “ Kagalang-galang “.

There is also that badge or crest of royalty exemplified by special car plates for these same group of privileged officials who try as much as they can to be looked up by society and specially to be looked up when they are on the streets in their magnificent modern chariots.

It used to be that only the president, vice president, members of congress have specials car plates. Now, practically every government official from a mere director level ( about the same rank as a colonel in the military ) and up, has his or her own special plate. As if there is a matter of national urgency for say, a chief or director of some obscure division in the DA, DFA, LTO, DILG, DOJ, DOLE or just about any department or agency, one to merit a special pass to proceed and drive unimpeded on the streets and to require the serf people to immediately stop what they are doing and give way to the passing royalty.

Nowadays, every social-climbing and vain enough person or group or organization willing to pay cash could have their own special car plate to announce to everyone that they too are part of the titled and privileged elite in this seeming country of nobles, datus, lakans and rajahs. Third world country and all, but the elite of this land nonetheless.

And if one cares to take notice, every high government official also demands to be called cabinet secretary even if his or her official title or position is director general, or chairman or the so called presidential consultant. It is a cabinet rank position, it is immediately explained, notwithstanding, that this so called ‘ secretary ‘ has no department or even an office to run as his or her being a presidential consultant is in fact a one man or one woman office, a plain lobbyist and influence peddler, nothing more nothing less.


Surely, the guy that coined the term public servant to refer to a government official was way way dreaming in fantasy land.