Removing the stumbling stone

I saw a news item announcing the re-appointment of a government official who served during the administration of former President and now Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. I was stunned, disappointed, and saddened. Because of this person's reputation, I had looked forward to seeing someone else occupy his post.

I'm quite sure that this person will not be the last government official appointed by President Noynoy Aquino who I (and others) would find objectionable. 

I had come across an article about President Aquino's selection team bemoaning the dearth of "good" people who deserve to be appointed to government positions. More importantly, it would probably be safe to state that everyone is guilty of some wrongdoing in the past, perhaps just in different degrees-not paying the correct amount and not returning to the store upon realizing the mistake, hitting someone during a fight, yelling at others. Some of these incidents may be forgotten but some will get dug up when one's past comes under more intense scrutiny in the course of being considered for public office. 

For example, the appointment of Bureau of Customs chief Angelito Alvarez is being questioned because he allegedly cheated in a golf game. Dishonesty in little things means dishonesty in bigger things, his critics claim. Because of all the scandals that plagued her administration, most of us think that the only reason Gloria Macapagal Arroyo got a seat in Congress is to get herself appointed as Prime Minister and to stay in power forever to avoid liability.   That one of her first acts as representative was to file a house resolution calling for a constitutional convention to propose revisions to the 1987 Constitution seemed to confirm our suspicions. Her protestations that she just wants to serve the people appear hollow.

Because I'm an optimist, I would like to believe that redemption is possible and that for as long as one is alive, one can make the conscious choice to do the right thing. A golf cheat can be an honest tax collector. A distrusted ex-president can be a brilliant Congresswoman who will do justice to her job. This doesn't mean that I condone all wrongdoings committed in the past, only that I think that it is possible for a person to change for the better. 

Where crimes were committed, I expect prosecution. Still, given our justice system, I do not expect a lot of convictions. Just think of the trail of dead witnesses to the Fertilizer Scam and other scandals. Divine justice might be the only kind of justice we will get. And for believers of reincarnation, this might not even happen in this lifetime.

In "The Prophet," Kahlil Gibran wrote: "You are the way and the wayfarers. And when one of you falls down he falls for those behind him, a caution against the stumbling stone. Ay, and he falls for those ahead of him, who though faster and surer of foot, yet removed not the stumbling stone." 

I think that this is the question that we should all focus on: How do we remove the stumbling stone? How do we ensure that public officials follow the law and not be corrupt? Greater transparency in government transactions, the passing of the Freedom of Information Act, stricter enforcement of laws on public officials, institutionalizing citizen watchdog groups-these are all good suggestions. None of these will work if we do not do our part, including filing a criminal complaint where necessary. It will not be easy but it can be done.

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