Power of Marites

I was watching videos of the Senate inquiry led by Sen. Bato dela Rosa where he was interrogating Maricel Soriano. I really don’t know the issue relative to this Senate inquiry because honestly, I haven’t been watching the news in the Philippines. It is something that I have decided deliberately not to do because I find the news in and about the Philippines quite exhausting. As the oxymoron goes, it’s old news. Same old issues, but different settings, situations, and scenes: corruption, crime, poverty, drugs.

This issue that involved Ms. Maricel Soriano is apparently related to PDEA Leaks, where there is an unverified document linking the president to illegal drug use. In this document, allegedly Soriano’s name came up as one who is linked to drug use as well.

I went through the comment thread and it was mostly about our senators basing their investigations or inquiries on unverified reports or in slang, marites. Marites is a term that refers to people who are into rumor mongering or “chismis”, a truncation of the expression, “mare, ano’ng latest?”

This got me thinking, why do people, even in the highest offices of government, resort to being Marites? Economics may have a good explanation for this behavior.

One concept may be self-interest. Adam Smith, the father of Economics, proposed that rational humans make decisions that benefit their own self-interest. Mariteses tend to make up or blow up stories that will benefit them in the end in one way or the other. Self-interest drives individuals or groups to spread rumors that benefit their own agendas or goals. Whether it’s advancing a personal or professional agenda, gaining power or influence, or simply seeking attention or validation, people often spread rumors to serve their own interests. These rumors might be aimed at discrediting rivals, boosting one’s own reputation, or manipulating others for personal gain.

On the other hand, rumor-mongering can also serve self-interest by providing a means of gathering information or influencing opinions. By spreading rumors, individuals may seek to shape public perception, sway decision-making processes, or gain strategic advantages in various contexts.

However, it’s important to note that while self-interest may be a driving force behind rumor-mongering, the consequences can be damaging. Rumors can spread misinformation, sow discord, damage reputations, and even incite fear or violence. Ultimately, indulging in rumor-mongering for self-interest can erode trust, harm relationships, and undermine the fabric of communities or societies.

Another concept is asymmetric information, which is a market failure where one party of a transaction has more or superior information compared to another.

Mariteses thrive in environments where there is asymmetric information, meaning that some parties possess more or better information than others. In such situations, those with limited information may be more susceptible to rumors and misinformation, which can be exploited by individuals or groups for various purposes, including self-interest.

The power of Mariteses can be intertwined with asymmetric information  through manipulation of information. Rumor-mongers often exploit gaps in information to disseminate rumors that align with their interests. They may take advantage of asymmetries in access to information to spread rumors that are difficult to verify or refute.

Mariteses may also benefit through influence and power dynamics. Those who control information hold power over others. Rumor-mongers may leverage their access to privileged information to manipulate perceptions, influence decision-making, or maintain dominance over certain groups or individuals.

Rumor mongering exploits uncertainty. Asymmetric information creates uncertainty, leaving people vulnerable to rumors and speculation. Rumor-mongers capitalize on this uncertainty by spreading misinformation that fills the void, potentially shaping beliefs and behaviors in ways that serve their own interests.

This will also affect social dynamics and trust. In environments with unequal access to information, trust becomes crucial. Rumor-mongering can undermine trust by spreading falsehoods or exaggerations, leading to fractured relationships and social divisions.

In the case of PDEA Leaks, there must be some individuals or groups that will benefit from these unverified reports that came out. Rumor mongering can be very powerful to destroy reputation or even national interest.

Addressing the power of Mariteses in the context of asymmetric information requires efforts to promote transparency, improve information dissemination channels, enhance critical thinking skills, and foster a culture of fact-checking and verification. By reducing information asymmetries and promoting a more informed and discerning public, societies can mitigate the harmful effects of rumor-mongering not only to individuals but also to the whole nation.