Process of elimination

Holy week is always a good time to “retreat” from the grueling pace of life in this modern world of secularism especially for those aspiring for public office in the coming elections. They should have called a time out from their campaigns to take advantage of the few “holy” days to pause and reflect about the transcendental aspects of their on-going efforts to gain, regain or retain power particularly those seeking the presidency.

Undoubtedly the presidency is the highest gift and the greatest honor that the Filipino people can bestow on their fellow countryman. It is truly a much coveted position. But like all earthly things it does not last. In fact here in the Philippines, the gift must be returned after holding on to it for six years. And in extreme circumstances when it is misused and abused the people who gave it may even decide to take it back before six years.

In bestowing this gift, the Filipino people is well aware of Lord Acton’s warning that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Hence the persons they designated to frame the charter have set up restrictions on their exercise under the principle of “checks and balances” among the three major branches of government—the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary. Unfortunately, the restrictions seem to be not so effective because of a highly centralized government where power is concentrated in the Chief Executive. And the short history of our Republic has confirmed this fact. We have seen how persons who have been entrusted with this gift and privilege of the presidency have been corrupted by the powers that go with it.

Hopefully, during the last Holy Week, our candidates have fully reflected on these lessons of history and have assimilated them deeply. They should be fully aware of the great temptations involved in the positions they seek, of the corrupting and intoxicating worldly powers inherent in said positions especially the Presidency.  They should be aware of their own weaknesses and imperfections as human beings especially in the face of such great temptations. Hence even at this time before realizing their goal, they should be honest to themselves in determining whether their moral fibers are strong enough to overcome all these temptations; whether they should still pursue their ambitions.

In weighing their options even at this late stage, it would help them a lot to know that all the power and glory of this world are just fleeting; that even if they achieve their ambitions and eventually occupy the seat of power, they will sooner or later have to give it up. This is as certain and irrevocable as death itself. Indeed death itself ensures the end of all this power and glory. And these certainties should push them to abandon their pursuit of power if their purpose is to use them for selfish interest because on judgment day they will be held accountable for all their selfish and corrupt acts.

Of course it seems contrary to human nature that any of these candidates will ever admit that they are not fit for the position they seek, physically or morally. It is highly unlikely that at this stage, they will no longer actively pursue their goals. Nor could we expect that they will still forego with their ambitions. More so with respect to the presidential candidates who all present themselves as not only physically but also morally qualified for the position and who have nothing but public service and the promotion of the common good as their purposes.

Ultimately therefore the electorate still has the task of finding out who among them are fit for the position. Determining their physical fitness is obviously not difficult as determining their moral qualifications. Determining what is seen is not as difficult as determining what is unseen. In the latter case we can only try to discern and deduce from the methods and styles of their campaigning.

Certainly we cannot say that those who violate the law or go around the law in promoting their candidacies are morally fit to render public service. The essence of public service is obedience to our laws. A candidate who spends enormous sums of money previously obtained under anomalous circumstances and shady deals with the government to win the presidency as if it is for sale to the highest bidder definitely has some intentions other than public service. Obviously he is trying to cover up his tracks regarding those anomalous deals. He knows full well that if the electorate will choose him as the next president it is tantamount to exonerating him from culpability for all those deals. Hence he is also employing all sorts of half truths and complete lies and using strategies and gimmicks to deceive the electorate and win their votes. At this time it is already quite easy to pin point this candidate. He should already be scratched from the list of our choices for the presidency on May 10, 2010.

Next to be scratched in our list are candidates who support anti-life and anti-family policies in government especially on the alleged “reproductive health”. Our constitution itself contains provisions recognizing the sanctity of the family and protecting the life of the mother and and the life of the unborn from conception. Following their “conscience” to support their position on these issues is not enough justification because that conscience may only be one’s own opinion based on feeling that may be erroneous. They should make a more categorical and clear cut stand against these anti-life and anti-family policies.

Of course we should also scratch from our list candidates with known and proven track record of large scale graft and corruption especially one who has already been convicted of plunder and whose qualifications to run for presidency is still constitutionally doubtful. He will certainly not bring the desired changes in our government.

By process of elimination therefore, our list of candidates for presidency can already be narrowed down even at this stage. We can apply the same process in choosing the candidates for the local elections. Then the task of voting will be simpler.