While We Watch SenateFlix, Our Economy Is Paying the Price

The irony of the UniTeam governance is probably at its peak today.

Every time I open social media, another episode of what people jokingly call "SenateFlix" appears on my feed. Every day seems to bring a new pasabog --- something that is either a predictable cliché or so unbelievable that you'd think it came from a scripted drama instead of real life.

For many Filipinos, it has become a source of memes, entertainment, and endless online debates.

But have we ever stopped to think about its long-term effect on our everyday lives?

As someone working in investments and asset management, I honestly pity our local market today.

The stock market doesn't move because of viral videos. Businesses don't grow because of political fan clubs. Investors don't put their money where there is noise. They put their money where there is confidence.

And confidence is built through good governance.

Imagine that the Philippines is a small business looking for investors.

You invite potential investors into your office. Instead of presenting a clear business plan, your management team spends most of the meeting arguing with one another. Key leaders are focused on personal conflicts. Projects get delayed. Accountability is unclear. Long-term plans change depending on who is winning the latest political battle.

Would you invest your money in that business?

Most people wouldn't.

The same principle applies to a country.

Foreign investors look at stability, transparency, infrastructure, rule of law, and economic direction. When political drama dominates the headlines, it sends a message that governance may not be focused on development.

The effects don't happen overnight.

This is what makes it dangerous.

It's a slow-burn disaster.

First, foreign investors become more cautious.

Then businesses delay expansion plans.

Factories and local industries struggle to attract capital.

Job creation slows down.

Economic growth weakens.

The peso loses strength because fewer dollars are flowing into the country.

Government revenues become more constrained.

To support spending and development projects, the country borrows more.

More debt means more future taxes, more interest payments, and less room for investments that truly improve people's lives.

Eventually, we become trapped in survival mode—working harder just to maintain what we already have instead of building toward something better.

And the sad part?

Ordinary Filipinos feel the consequences the most.

Higher prices.

Higher borrowing costs.

Fewer quality jobs.

Slower wage growth.

Less opportunity.

This is why I believe investing should never be separated from understanding governance.

Whether you're a businessman, employee, entrepreneur, or investor, politics affects your money far more than most people realize.

The challenge for us is to look beyond political colors.

Red.

Pink.

Green.

Blue.

Whatever banner we support, the question remains the same:

Are our leaders creating an environment where businesses can grow?

Are they making decisions that attract investments?

Are they building institutions that future generations can trust?

Are they focused on development, or are they focused on political theater?

Because at the end of the day, the local market can never truly move forward unless we elect leaders who care more about economic progress than political fantasy.

And while we continue hoping for stronger governance in the Philippines, investors must also adapt to reality.

This is one reason why many investors today are studying opportunities beyond our borders.

The global market offers exposure to economies, industries, and companies that may not be available locally. Through professionally managed trust funds and global investment vehicles, Filipinos can participate in growth happening across different regions of the world.

I'm not saying abandon the Philippines.

I still believe in the potential of our country.

But believing in the Philippines does not mean ignoring risk.

As investors, our responsibility is not to be loyal to a political color. Our responsibility is to make informed decisions that help protect and grow our wealth.

Maybe the bigger question isn't who won the latest political argument.

Maybe the bigger question is:

Is my money positioned where it has the best opportunity to grow?

And if today's environment presents challenges for the local market, perhaps it's time to start learning about the opportunities that exist in the global market as well.