The Philippine Government and Cerberus: A Comparison

Posted on May 19, 2026 at 8:44 pm

In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the three-headed watchdog that guards the entrance to the Underworld, serving Hades with immense strength and unyielding vigilance. Similarly, the Philippine government is structured as a three-headed entity, designed to guard and manage the nation, with its power divided among the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. While one is a mythical monster and the other a modern system of governance, they share striking similarities in structure, purpose, and the challenges they face.

The most obvious parallel lies in their form: both exist as a union of three distinct parts. Cerberus’s three heads act as one unit, each watching a different angle to ensure nothing enters or leaves without permission. Likewise, the Philippine government operates under the principle of separation of powers. The Executive branch implements laws, the Legislative branch creates them, and the Judicial branch interprets them. Just as Cerberus cannot function properly if one head turns against another, the government relies on these three branches working together. When they cooperate, the nation is guarded and governed effectively. However, when they clash or act independently, the system becomes chaotic, unbalanced, or even dangerous to the people it serves.

Last Wednesday on May 13, 2026… One head lashed out at another… The Executive Branch through its minion Agencies launched a premeditated attack on the Senate of the Philippines, this time on the behest of arresting Sen. De La Rosa. A previous attempt 2 days earlier was thwarted by none other than Senator De La Rosa himself, escaping through the clutches of the NBI at the same building and eventually making it to the Plenary Hall to cast a vote that would change the leadership of the Senate, ousting SP Sotto and replacing him with SP Cayetano.

The Present Leadership and Majority Power Bloc in the Senate may have proved unsettling to the Powers that be. Since no more than 48 hours later a more brazen attempt was executed in a much more violent and dangerous fashion as well, heavily armed agents of the NBI stormed the Senate Building with guns blazing. Luckily the Senate Security team was no pushover themselves and held their ground as an exchange of gunfire echoed through the hallowed Halls of the Senate Building. After being able to hold their ground, the attackers deemed it wise to pull back from the Senate Building and disappear from whence they came.

The incident is but one of the few times that one of the three heads bites the other… weeks earlier, we saw that the Judiciary Branch was under attacks as well albeit more reservedly but just as savage… as the Supreme Court was issuing rulings that put the Executive Branch in an uncomfortable position the unseen hand would again move against the querying entity or individual with professional or personal attacks. To put it bluntly we no longer have a government system that respects the autonomy and independence of the three separate branches. As far as check and balance is concerned, the only thing that matters now is that the Executive Branch keeps its power and holds the others in check. Before long this type of vindictive governance would lead to its own demise and push the country into deeper economic woes.

Furthermore, both are meant to serve as guardians. Cerberus’s duty was to maintain order in the Underworld and uphold the rules set by Hades. The government’s role is to protect the state, enforce justice, and maintain peace and order within the country. Yet, there is a common perception that both can be intimidating or overly restrictive. Just as travelers feared encountering Cerberus, citizens sometimes feel overwhelmed by the weight of authority, complex regulations, or strict enforcement. In some cases, when power is abused or misused, the government can feel less like a protector and more like a monster blocking progress or freedom, much like how Cerberus was seen as a terrifying obstacle to those who wished to pass.

Ultimately, the comparison shows that both Cerberus and the Philippine government are powerful guardians defined by their three-part structure. Their strength is an advantage when used to maintain order and protect their realm, but it becomes a burden if they turn hostile or fail to work in harmony. The key lesson from this analogy is clear: just as Cerberus serves best when guided by the will of its master, the government serves best when it remains united and loyal to its true master – the Filipino people.

We as a people are directly suffering from the actions of the people whom we electively placed in office. In these coming elections, we should be more diligent and discerning in whom we vote to office. Being here in this lifetime to experience this type of governance firsthand is enough for me to put deep thought into my next choice of candidates. God save the Philippines is an understatement.