Editorial
On April 1st, there are barely 40 days left until the Filipino voters go to the polls to elect their leaders from the president down to the barangay officials. Holy Week falls on the first week of April this year. The Philippines being a Christian nation, 40 days is significant. Prophet Moses and Jesus, the Messiah, both went to the mountains to be close to God for 40 days—although on separate occasions. Moses came down with the Ten Commandments while Jesus came down triumphant from Satan’s temptations. The Bible also says, from Easter, the day he rose from the dead, Jesus took 40 days to ascend to reunite with God, the Father.
Numerology aside, one who wants to see a resurrection of the Filipino from the pit of corruption that condemned him to live in poverty for most of his life, one seeks desperately some light from the path that the Filipino has chosen—paved with doctrines of Christianity and Democracy. Curiously enough, for other nations which took the same path, they enjoy peace and prosperity. Not for the Philippines. It seems that the path has taken them deeper into an abyss of hopelessness.
One asks again, where did the Filipino mess up?
Take the sacraments of baptism and marriage. Godparents chosen in these rituals are primed unwittingly to become instruments of corruption instead of guardians and teachers of Christian teachings and virtues. Politicians who are hands-down favorites to act as sponsors are fleeced with endless favors, in return, politicians resort to graft to replenish their coffers. Some call this our padrino system. These politicians also maintain mistresses and sire bastards. Their lifestyle becomes model of others to do the same. This Filipino way of practicing Christianity and democracy is a tiny slice of the pie that poisoned a system that could have otherwise propelled the Philippines into a progressive and healthy nation.
The current political campaign will reveal why religion and politics is such a toxic mix. If there is one apparent cheating, it is the block voting of followers of several religious sects which their respective leaders deliver in return for lucrative concessions. These dark enterprises have become institutionalized by wily and willing politicians. This is certainly not the way Man of Galilee had intended it to be for the Filipinos or for anybody, for that matter. British playwright, George Bernard Shaw, said to paraphrase him, that Christianity is not a failure in the Philippines or elsewhere, simply because it has been practiced yet.
Forty days, from April 1st, soon it will be less, then none. Discern now and discern wisely.
This is a crucial election. More crucial because El Nino (What a name for a harbinger of havoc!)has visited the country and is causing wide-spread drought which kills crops and life-sustaining creatures. The effects of the devastating typhoons of last fall have made millions poorer. The world-wide economic contraction has also adversely affected the country. Meanwhile, uncontrolled pouring of campaign money will surely result in the devaluation of the currency.
There is so much at stake on the result of the May 10 elections. May the true essence of Christianity bring wisdom to the voters who will be part of the democratic process of making decisions for a country which is in dire need of resurrection from poverty and corruption.•