The common good

As a citizen of this country, I am relieved to hear the news that the government is in control and undivided, unaffected by the diversionary tactics of some groups still bent on toppling the present administration. We are faced with many economic and social problems but it seems our chosen leaders are more interested in bickering and outdoing each other to promote their own selfish agenda. We read more of their fightings and threats, rather than working on concrete solutions to address perennial problems like hunger and poverty, education and health, pollution and the water crisis, and other problems. As I write this, fighting in Basilan continues where our Muslim brothers and soldiers war against each other, yet our politicians continue what seems to them as the most important activity — self-aggrandizement and witch hunting. In the process, leaders and personality figures allow themselves to be used, more concerned about maintaining their popularity and clout rather than advancing a cause they claim to stand for. The cycle of dirty politics continue because no one wants to be overpowered and “thrown in the gutter”, so to speak.

The situation we find ourselves in at the moment is replete with stories that we need to bring to mind. The drive to mount the impeachment of President Arroyo, precipitated by a series of graft and corruption charges hurled against her and some officials, reminds me of Christ’s words in the Bible, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” and “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye”. Sadly, it is a fact that similar to many countries, corruption abounds and remains a hidden sin among many people, especially those in government who have Messianic illusions of “saving” the Filipino people.

We need to make a choice between a society where people accept modest sacrifices for a common good or a more contentious society where people selfishly protect their own benefits no end. Our most fundamental social problems grow out of a widespread pursuit of individual interest and it is impossible to achieve unity because of this. A case of conflict is the executive clemency given to deposed leader Joseph Estrada which has been both accepted and rejected by many. Personally, I have expressed my objections to this. My protest is overweighed by the fact that the less reason for oppositionists to rally against the administration, the more reason there will be to work together for the common good, in this case, the poor and disadvantaged that Erap has pledged to uplift.

The explosion of Glorietta 2 in Makati continues to worry me not only because 11 innocent and promising young people were killed, but because the possibility of a terrorist attack has not been fully ruled out, despite the amount of investigation and analysis work that were already done. (Speculatively, it happened on October 19, whose numerological order when read backward 9-1-01. Hence I would presume everyone would take extra precautions on November 9, which when read backward is also 9-11). I hope that Mr. Ayala’s contention ruling out gas explosion is not another self-serving ploy to cover his back against liability. But for the common good, reason dictates for authorities to be more thorough and meticulous in ensuring public safety and protection at all times.

Thinking of what is good for everyone should be paramount over selfish interests. This is the basis of sound social systems, institutions, and environments on which we all depend and benefit from. How well these systems and institutions are functioning determines the degree of well-being of its members in society. Let the desire for peace and justice be everyone’s common vision.