FOR A WHILE, bullies look invincible. Because of the power they wielded, they dictate, threaten, humiliate, and crush opposition. They mistake fear for loyalty and silence for surrender.
But history has a stubborn way of returning the blows. Sooner or later, the bully often discovers a painful truth: people learn, adapt, resist, and eventually strike back. But the bullies’ truest enemy is not man but divine balance, justice and order.
Time comes when bullies themselves got bullied back bigtime.
Consider the case of US President Donald Trump. He wielded tariffs like a club, bullying allies and rivals alike.
Nations were pressured into unequal deals under the threat of economic punishment. Canada was expected to fold as it often did before under American pressure. But Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, changed the script. Instead of bowing, Canada began redirecting critical resources and partnerships with other countries except America — from energy, wheat, aluminum, precious metals, lumber, labor, spare parts and more. Carney without America’s knowledge created trade networks that major countries transferred their manufacturing hub to Canada leaving America empty. Carney coldly told Trump, “Go create your own water”, even as Canada proceeds to withhold its vital resources from America.
Trump finally begged Canada for new trade deals but Canada’s resources were already committed to China, Asia and Europe for the next decade. The bully Trump got a dose of his own medicine bigtime at the expense of America’s losing economy and affected people. For once, Washington encountered resistance instead of submission. The bully who expected obedience suddenly faced isolation and strategic pushback.
Then there is Vladimir Putin of Russia. He invaded Ukraine believing it would collapse quickly. Crimea was seized first, then four territories were swallowed amid relentless missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian cities were pounded by Shahed drones and overwhelming force.
But war has a strange way of teaching innovation. Ukraine eventually adapted. It developed its own drone systems – the Sting, P1-Sun and more, the unmanned ground vehicles, and new forms of asymmetric warfare. Now the war Russia exported has returned and boomeranged home. Russian oil facilities, military installations, and strategic sites have become targets and got destroyed one after another by Ukraine. Anytime, Moscow will blow up in flames as the bully Putin is now cornered and hiding. The hunter discovered that the hunted can learn to bite back, fiercely and bigtime anytime.
In the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte once towered over the political landscape as the nation’s most feared strongman – and bully. His brutal war on drugs left thousands dead, often without due process. His allies thundered against critics, media, and institutions. Digong jailed his critics like De Lima, closed ABS-CBN, kicked Chief Justice Sereno out, threatened then Iloilo Mayor Mabilog with false accusation, and more. He did not respect government institutions. He noted to chase COA auditors and throw them out of the stairs. He shut any dissent by controlling the Office of the Ombudsman with his puppet. He thought he could have it all but his term ended. This is one thing the bullies never learn: that bullies can never have their cake and eat it too.
Now the tides shifted. Duterte now faces international legal scrutiny and isolation. The once-feared bully sits confined, awaiting judgment over crimes against humanity allegations. Those who once inspired fear now themselves evade arrest warrants and investigations.
Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa while PNP Chief became one of the chief architects and defenders of the bloody campaign. And for Bato, the spectacle is almost poetic: Bato was just chased by NBI agents in the senate halls with the ICC warrant. Now he is hiding in the senate building as the pursuers became the pursued, getting a taste of his own bullying ways.
Even Sara Duterte learned that intimidation has limits. Subtle warnings and political pressure against impeachment efforts did not stop the avalanche. Instead of making retreat, lawmakers responded with overwhelming numbers – 257 out of the required 106 – to vote for her impeachment. The power that once silenced people instead now unites against them.
History is crowded with similar stories, of bullies ending up a victim of their own making.
Adolf Hitler terrorized Europe with blitzkrieg and conquest, only to end in ruin as the world closed in on Berlin. His once vaunted army left him alone inside a bunker.
Benito Mussolini strutted as a fascist strongman but died disgraced, captured by his own countrymen.
Nicolae Ceaușescu ruled Romania through fear until the people he oppressed dragged him down in revolution.
Slobodan Milošević fueled ethnic wars and terror but eventually ended up standing trial for war crimes.
Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with brutality and paranoia, yet was later found hiding in a hole, powerless and defeated.
The pattern repeats itself because bullying contains the very seeds of its own destruction. Fear can force compliance temporarily, but it also breeds resentment, creativity, resistance, and their counter destruction. The oppressed study the bully’s weaknesses. The bullied learn to diversify. The bullied can reorganize using technology to equalize the abuse. And courage can breed and multiply when bullies rise.
Bullies usually believe they are untouchable at the height of their power. But power without restraint eventually creates enemies everywhere. And when the backlash finally comes, it often comes bigger, harder, and more humiliating than the bully ever imagined.
History’s message is blunt: those who live by bullying and intimidating others may someday tremble before the very people they once terrorized. When bullies get bullied bigtime is history showing us that none is above the divine balance and order. God’s ways will always prevail, no matter what, no matter when, and no matter how. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7)./PN
