Cancelled Before Convicted

 

Cancelled Before Convicted

By Patricia Nicole S. Tan

Who really decides justice today? Is it a viral screenshot or video? Is it a single post that people scroll through until it becomes a national issue within hours?

This is a reality many Filipinos recognize. Famous names trend repeatedly, clashing opinions flood timelines and comment sections, and public criticism spreads rapidly—often before the full story is known. In a digital age where information travels instantly, one question remains: are we truly the ones deciding what justice looks like?

This phenomenon is often referred to as cancel culture. Cancel culture is a form of public boycotting or social rejection used to express disapproval and impose consequences online. It is particularly prevalent among Generation Z and commonly occurs on platforms such as Facebook, X, and TikTok. In the Philippines, it is often triggered by political opinions, insensitive remarks, celebrity scandals, or corporate controversies.

For many Filipinos, cancel culture has become a tool for accountability, especially when they feel institutions or government systems are not doing enough to address corruption or misconduct.

However, accountability is not the same as cancellation.

Accountability involves recognizing wrongdoing, understanding its impact, and allowing consequences to be determined through fair processes. It requires evidence, context, and an opportunity for all sides to be heard. Unlike cancel culture, where consequences are often immediate and absolute, accountability is rooted in fairness, reflection, and due process.

Social media undoubtedly plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion in the Philippines. It gives citizens a platform to discuss issues ranging from entertainment controversies to national political concerns.

One recent example involves public frustration surrounding flood control projects. Reports of allegedly overpriced or poorly implemented infrastructure projects sparked widespread criticism online. Public outrage eventually extended to individuals associated with political families, including figures such as Gela Alonte and Mia Fortich, both of whom reportedly deactivated their social media accounts amid intense backlash.

While public scrutiny can be valuable, problems arise when cancel culture begins to replace accountability. Instead of seeking truth, discussions become driven by emotion, assumptions, and division.

The 2022 Philippine presidential election demonstrated how dangerous this can be. According to Kasuya et al. (2024), many Filipino voters were exposed to misleading narratives regarding the Marcos family, while false and negative information also targeted former Vice President Leni Robredo. Rappler even identified Robredo as one of the primary targets of online disinformation campaigns.

As misinformation spread, many individuals reacted emotionally without verifying the information they encountered. In some cases, this resulted in personal attacks, online harassment, and lasting damage to reputations.

This is why accountability remains essential.

Justice is not about reacting first; it is about verifying facts and responding fairly. It requires evidence, careful judgment, and a willingness to consider multiple perspectives. Holding someone accountable should never mean blindly following public opinion. Instead, it should mean ensuring that consequences are based on truth, fairness, and credible information.

This responsibility is especially important for young Filipinos. Generation Z spends more time online than any previous generation and therefore has significant influence over public conversations and digital culture. Because of this influence, it is essential to approach information critically, verify sources, and avoid rushing to conclusions.

Responsible digital citizenship begins with the youth because they help shape the standards that future generations will follow.

In the end, justice should not be determined by whoever speaks the loudest online or reacts the fastest. Calling out wrongdoing is important, but we must not allow emotions to outweigh truth and fairness.

In a society where a single click can influence public opinion, responsibility becomes just as important as freedom of expression.

Because true justice does not lie in canceling people—it lies in understanding, verifying, and holding them accountable with integrity.

References

ABS-CBN News. (2024, November 10). SWS: Internet Use High Among Young, Educated Pinoys.

Guinto, J., & Simonette, V. (2025, September 17). Philippines: Fury over Corruption and "Nepo Babies" as Floods Paralyse Daily Life. BBC News.

Kasuya, Y., Miwa, H., Mori, K., & Ogura, I. (2024). Disinformation and the Victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 Philippine Presidential Election.

Perry, M. (2025, October 13). Taking Accountability: Building Trust by Owning Mistakes.

Roldan, C. J. L., Ong, A. K. S., & Tomas, D. Q. (2024). Cancel Culture in a Developing Country: A Belief in a Just World Behavioral Analysis Among Generation Z.

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