Political debt

Evil is “live” spelled backward. Evil is in opposition to life. It is that which opposes the life force. It has, in short, to do with killing. Specifically, it has to do with murder – namely unnecessary killing; killing that is not required for biological survival (People of the Lie, M. Scott Peck). And if there be any commandment of God, it is briefly comprehended as, Thou shalt not kill.

Records show that from 1981 to 1986 murder cases reached 45,979 during Marcos time or an annual increase of 7.76%. Under the Aquino government the number reached 54,898 which was the highest recorded for a six-year period. However, an annual decrease of 2.5% was also noted during her term. During Fidel Ramos’ term murder incidents totaled 37,996 which had reflected a downward trend of 5%. Under Estrada’s term an annual decrease of 1.5% was also recorded for a total of 17,351 from 1998 to 2000. Under the Arroyo administration, murder volume elevated to 37, 851 and continues to increase.

In this world it is not possible to please all people. Even the Perfect Man, who taught nothing else but love of God and of neighbor, virtue, charity and justice, was crucified between two thieves on Mount Calvary. There is truth in the saying that he who tries to please everybody, pleases nobody. Hence, it is important that one’s action be guided, not by the contending clamors of passion, partially and prejudice, but by the beacon lights of truth, right and justice.

The centuries-long conflict has made the southern Philippines one of the most violent areas in the country. Much of the violence is caused by clan conflicts, which has continued for generations. Elite families who hold political and economic power often seek to maintain their position in society in any way possible. During election time, candidates running against incumbents are often targets of harassment if not violence. Other prime targets of these threats are the media and the civil society investigating allegations of political and economic corruption.

The recent turn of events which seem to be carefully orchestrated by those connected or related in some way or the other to the Maguindanao Massacre is a glaring proof that murder has become the ultimate tool for eliminating political rivals in this part of the country and that no one would dare tell the truth. “Warlordism” is highly prevalent in Mindanao’s conflict affected areas where there is a large array of armed groups that include separatist rebels, civilian militia and well-established crime syndicates including private armies.

You have often heard of the maxim, “mens sana in corpore sano”, a sound mind in a sound body. It is a maxim that had its origin in pagan Rome, and it represents a civilization which prized success in arms and mere intellectual accomplishment and political and social prominence as the desideratum of man. But that is an incomplete view of the aims of life and of the nature and destiny of mankind. Man’s nature is not only physical and intellectual, but also moral and religious.

I ask the President and her men, the members of the House of Representatives from Maguindanao, the police force, the Ombudsman… to stop their ploys and without hesitation condemn those murderers. Make this a fight to the finish not yielding to calls for “truce” or a “gentlemen’s agreement” from the political supporters. If we cannot attain justice in this political massacre how can we ever succeed in the “peace process” in Mindanao?

This is the highest test God has ever given our President at the conclusion of her term. The problem the present administration now faces is all bungled up in a web of relations which the President herself can’t seem to untangle. Is it because of a hefty political debt?

At this stage of the game, GMA must get herself out of the abyss. She must raise her moral and social standards to shed light to the allegations that she is treating the issue with “kids’ gloves”. Only in doing so, can she help in the maintenance of social discipline and consistent implementation of law and order.

Mere ideas of morality and the civic desire to obey the law may fail to retrain a man from dishonesty and unfair dealings, or from the commission of a crime when his own interests are seriously involved, or when he thinks that his wrongdoings would not be discovered or that he would escape punishment. Impunity is defined as freedom from punishment, harm or unpleasant consequences.   Under impunity, culture and politics are recasting the past, turning cronies into statesmen, torturers into legislators and killers into generals. Beneath the surface of a restored democracy, the Philippines through the compromises of impunity, still suffers the legacy of the Marcos era – a collective trauma and an ingrained institutional habit of human rights abuse. But religion would stand guard where and when human means fails, for it goes to the very conscience, it penetrates the very heart and mind of the individual and of the citizen.

We have nothing more left but to know that there is an Almighty God who knows and sees all things, who is infinitely good and just, and who unfailingly rewards virtue and irremissibly punishes evil. I hope that those people who know the truth but do not want to tell it find it in their hearts to do so and better attain their final destiny and the salvation of their soul.

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On National Heroes Day we solemnly renew our pledge to uphold the traditions, ideals and aspirations of our country, and we commemorate the achievements, the deeds of valor and patriotism, and the gallant sacrifices of the nation’s heroes and martyrs.

The spirit of the occasion is, however, not necrological, despite the inevitable tinge of sadness because of the memories it evokes from tragic episodes of the Maguindanao Massacre.

But the true spirit of the day is faith, courage and optimism: faith in ourselves, faith in the capabilities of our people and in our national destiny; courage to carry on the patriotic work commenced by the heroic dead, firm determination to exert every effort to achieve the fullest national vindication, and to make our country free, progressive and great; and a joyous optimism in the success of our efforts and the eventual triumph of our cause.