EXPLAINER: Why ‘Ikaw rin naman’ isn’t actually a good defense

Whataboutism never solves arguments.

One of the quickest ways to end an argument without actually solving it is to say, “Ikaw rin naman.”

You remind your sibling to wash the dishes. They answer, “Eh ikaw nga, hindi mo nilinis ang kwarto mo.” You tell your friend to return the money they borrowed. “Ikaw nga, hindi mo pa nababalik charger ko.” You ask your partner why they haven’t replied all day. “Ikaw rin naman minsan.”

Sound familiar?

There’s actually a name for this: whataboutism. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, it is a logical fallacy where someone avoids answering criticism by bringing up someone else’s mistake instead. Rather than addressing the issue, the conversation is redirected to a different one.

It’s something many Filipinos unknowingly do in everyday life. At home, in the office, among friends, and even in relationships, “Eh ikaw nga…” has become an automatic defense whenever someone feels called out.

The problem is that it doesn’t resolve anything. Even if the other person’s accusation is true, it doesn’t erase your own mistake. As experts on logical fallacies explain, someone else’s wrongdoing is a separate issue and should be discussed on its own.

The next time you hear “Ikaw rin naman,” resist the urge to argue back. Instead, gently steer the conversation to the original topic. You can simply say, “Pag-usapan natin ’yan mamaya. Pero tapusin muna natin ito.”

Sometimes, the strongest response isn’t pointing out someone else’s mistake. It’s taking responsibility for your own.

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