Written by Jan Andrei Y. Elizalde
(Excerpt)
World leaders with great impact are not only those who are written about but are often the ones doing the writing—those who cover stories of violence and conflict, and whose words inspire revolutions and social change.
Millions of libraries in the world are full of aisles on world leaders. From transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson leading queer uprisings to Chinese emperor Kangxi’s historic 61-year rule, chronicles of these leaders and those alike inspire many collective actions made throughout history—even today.
When tasked to write about a world leader that influences us, we consider the greats: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Julius Caesar. We scan book after book, article after article, puzzling the pieces of their successful runs in their respective posts. We read sentences and jot down notes of their most important contributions to society, but often do we look into those who recount their feats.
While I searched through biographies in our college’s library, hoping to bump into the last names of leaders I am no stranger to, one particular name distinguished itself through a consecutive number of books shelved: Bob Woodward.
I recall reading Woodward’s works for a paper on the Nixon presidency and his thorough investigation on the Watergate, one of the most widespread political corruption cases in American history. Through his Pulitzer Prize-winning report, The Final Days (1976), Woodward’s coverage was lauded for achieving what no other reporter could have—a backstage pass to the rooms where Nixon’s tapes were made and edited, the jealousies and rivalries of his men, and the White House’s desperate attempt to save his then-crumbling administration.
When the chance to, once more, borrow Woodward’s knowledge and write about an American president I admire presented itself, a sudden rhetoric popped into my head: What if the world leader I want to write about is not about who is written, but the one who wrote about them? It was a long shot, but not one far from an aspiring investigative journalist.
In a democratic nation that is as influential as America, to protect a voice of your own amid authoritarian rule becomes both a threat and an edge. While challenging the powerful with one’s words wasn’t completely out of the ordinary under fascist regimes, what strikes these rulers is when words become weapons in an insurgence. “Strike while the iron is hot,” as others describe. And strike, Woodward did.
Nixon’s presidency, as mentioned previously, was one of the notable highlights of Woodward’s reports. Described as “a story you have not read in the newspapers,” his dramatization of Nixon’s term—from the heights of his scandals to the build-ups of his resignation—Woodward challenged the status quo by becoming a chief voice amid unprecedented times. Besides providing a narrative that other reporters found difficult to produce, his insistence in publishing a story that reveals the whole truth brought to life the changes seen in their government. In turn, Woodward had published a vessel that pumps the heart of investigative journalism. And today’s political landscape—whether American or not—calls for the pressing need for this practice.
While today’s Philippine government, particularly under the rule of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains relatively safe for journalists, this does not necessarily mean that we forget the violent roots of our press. Especially where corruption remains rampant among our leaders—from cases of increased billions in confidential funds to the neglect of the constitution amid Vice President Sarah Duterte’s archived impeachment—the need to stay vigilant against unprincipled politics becomes all the more pressing. And such vigilance is only made possible through the press’ role in society as our leaders’ watchdogs.
As an aspiring investigative journalist, I believe that Woodward has created a standard measured only by one’s abilities and commitment to the truth. His thorough reports on multiple presidencies alongside their effects on American society beams as an inspiration that we, as Filipino scribes, can parallel the same effort towards our own leaders.
The world is constantly moving—and with it is our nation. Politics are becoming more polarized and communities cease to be compromised. And for us to keep up with its pace and confront the challenges that come with it, governments must not only match the performance of their predecessors. Journalists, too, must adhere to the standards that built the foundation of quality reporting.
Today, we need world leaders that are grounded by principles and morals. While Woodward may not be a president or prime minister, he protected a role that keeps them accountable—a watchdog. And this role matters just as much as any world leader belonging to our governments.
Elizalde’s essay, “Woodward: Watchdog and World Leader,” is the winning entry of the 2025 Ireneo and Asuncion Maslog Essay Writing Contest held last Aug. 20 at the Silliman University College of Mass Communication.
