Beware the Ides of March

March 15 was, in world history, the Ides of March in 44 BC when the Roman Republic dictator Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus and several other Roman senators. More than 60 joined the conspiracy against him. Previously there were plots that had been formed separately, in separate groups of two or three, which later became a general conspiracy. The murder seemingly had the blessings of the people who were no longer pleased with the conditions then. Ides of March in the Roman Calendar was simply the standard way of saying “March 15”. But because of this tragedy, the expression “Ides of March” connoted something evil will happen, as when Julius Caesar was warned by a soothsayer who gave him the warning “Beware the Ides of March”.

This is a time in Philippine history when we should all beware about the conspiracies taking place. The Senate has become a fact-finding body, where the Senators have become judges and investigators, where they should instead be making effective laws for the benefit of the people. We hear about threats to whistle blower Jun Lozada’s life and other witnesses attesting to the alleged corruption case being hurled against President Arroyo. There were also reported threats on the President received by intelligence but we don’t know who really are the people behind these and what their motives are. If history must repeat itself today, let it not be the conspiracy but the events that contributed to the greatness of our country. Our history is replete with stories of great men and women who made great sacrifices for our nation. We should learn from their good examples.

Yesterday, there was another rally by multi-sectoral groups where the primary participants were the youth groups. We empathize with their cause to promote truth, justice and change in the present system of government, and although the bishops emphasized that their participation did not mean they are calling on all Catholics to join the rallies, we are worried about the fact that religious leaders and the vulnerable youth are together in a rally. A lot of misleading messages reached Filipino families in general that justified wrong values as correct. A youth leader who spoke on TV warned the administration not to get in the way of the rally, and referred to government as “dark forces”. The students attended the rallies from mid-morning to afternoon yesterday, thus taking their time away from their studies, and religious and business leaders were with them. Do we want to have this kind of exposure for the youth, the future citizens and leaders of tomorrow?

At a time when education is a privilege because few have the opportunity to enter school or college, we cannot help but wonder what is the motivation of such young leaders who choose to neglect their studies to join temporary rallies? What is the motive of multi-sectoral and religious leaders who have involved the youth? As far as we are concerned, what we should all do is to see to it that the young finish their studies. It is what will ensure their good future and their meaningful contribution to the welfare of their country in the future.

The youth leaders are hoping for change in the present system of government. They should realize that any quest for progress has to begin with one’s self. If you cannot progress, how can you contribute to the progress of the country? In short, everything begins with one’s self. And that’s what we should all do. Begin by improving ourselves. Then and only then can we also start taking care of our loved ones and our country.