The Philippine Online Chronicles

Summer, the Lenten Season and Election Season are here. A very potent, if not ironic combination for us living in the Philippines. The weather sizzles up to a fever pitch as re-electionists and first timers also step up their political campaigns. In anticipation of electronic vote tabulations that will decide who will lead us to better days (or further ruin for that matter), we tabulate the sins of these political aspirants and crucify them at the mighty Calvary of Public Opinion.

A rather political Lenten reflection

In the immediate interest of informed voting and the higher and loftier interest of installing the best leader among the current crop (or crap?) of presidential aspirants, I’d like to share with you a rather political Lenten reflection which began when I came across the readings for March 4—the Gospel of Luke for that day was about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. If you are a Christian, you are probably familiar with the tale of the rich man who feasted at his table, all the while ignoring the poor Lazarus who wanted to eat the scraps of bread falling from the rich man’s table. This bit about wanting to eat the scraps of bread used by the rich man and his guests is very significant. The Jews at that time ate with their hands and used bread in the same way we use tissue paper to wipe off our hands after a big meal). To make short of that story, the rich man went to hell for this sin, while the poor beggar (though he was a notorious sinner, too) went to heaven.

Sins—of commission and omission

The explanation for this gospel and my vague recollection of theology class led to the reflection that people commit sin not only in the things that they do, but also in failing to do what they ought to do—the sins of comission and the sins of omission. The sins of commission are quite obvious, while the latter variety is not so and can only be revealed with introspection and careful analysis. As this Gospel reading would show, God equally punishes those who are guilty of sins of omission as he punishes those who guilty of sins of commission.

Election time—judgment day!

A great leader is as elusive as “the One” and perfect leaders are either mythical creatures or simply not of this earth. Our leaders are guilty of sins of omission and commission, and election time is Judgment Day. If we follow this line of thinking to its logical conclusion, we can say that the 2010 elections really all boil down to an individual choice of the least evil leader because there’s dirt on most, if not all the presidential aspirants: Manny Villar—with the C5 controversy and illegal conversion cases for his subdivisions;  Erap Estrada—on those plunder and corruption cases for which he went to prison and was given parole afterwards; Gibo Teodoro —with his failure to act as Defense Secretary in the Maguindanao Massacre;  Noynoy Aquino —with the celebrated Hacienda Luisita controvery and having too few bills as a Senator and Congressman; and Dick Gordon—for his dictatorial stance.

Their political sins

I shiver down my spine when I hear about Villar’s C-5 controvery and alledged illegal conversions! While walking the grounds of the University of the Philippines the other day, my mind began to wonder—will Villar convert UP to another of his Camella Homes? Or a highly commercialized area, or construct a mall? Or a mini C-5? On the other hand, there are his statements and infomercials here and there of the people he has helped over the years.

I shiver all the more when the Hacienda Luisita massacare comes back to mind. 15,000 tenants protesting a few years back, with a thousand soldiers in full battle gear to disperse them. While people called it a massacre, Noynoy and his family call it a propaganda. “Hindi ako magnanakaw, hindi ako corrupt”, etc., but “tinulungan mo ba ang iyong kapwa—at least those nearer to home, your tenants?” Can you in all honesty say that you have fully fulfilled your duties as congressman and senator, at least in the legislative aspect? What sins of omission!

And the Maguindanao Massacre—what can you say of the cachés and cachés of ammunitions and high-powered firearms with government markings unearthed and reportedly owned by the Ampatuans during Gibo’s tenure as DND Secretary? I quaver! I shudder! I tremble! What incompetence! Another sin of omission (or was it deliberate? a sin of commission, too!)

Now, what about Gordon—and his dictatorial ways? “Kung ayaw mo sa patakaran ko, lumayas ka ng Olongapo!” Will he also tell this to all the Filipinos when he becomes President? Non-conformity is strictly forbidden in Olongapo. Rules and organization are necessary, but leaving people without options is despotic if not outright undemocratic and yes, SCARY, as we will have a dictator once more. Will his political dynasty now not anymore be confined in Olongapo (where all the streets, schools, hospitals are all named after him) but stretch from Luzon, to Visayas to Mindanao? What say you?

Yes Erap! How can I forget? When I thought he has lost his luster, now he is number 3 in the latest survey, and his star continues to gain ground. He has been charged and proven guilty of plunder! Now he wants to come back—to rightfully claim what was taken from him, para guminhawa ang mahirap (na dati nyang lalong pinahirap). Indeed, this is a shameless and rotten society we are in.

Parang sumpa!

Could God, in his infinite wisdom, be already punishing us for our sins of commission and omission as a people? That is, if the recurring nightmare of having Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) as President (and soon as Congresswoman—parang sumpa!) is any indication. Is she our bad karma for failing, as a people, to do enough to prevent and stop her from pillaging our country’s coffers? for being apathetic? for being part in our small and big ways in the corrupt system we are complaining about?

Let’s do it right—now!

Let’s not earn His eternal wrath. Let’s begin by voting in the coming elections for the candidate who our consciences dictate as the best among them, or at least, the least evil. Let’s be vigilant citizens. Let this be our penance. Our God after all, whatever name we call Him, welcomes back repentant sinners to the fold, politicians included.

Photo: “Tiniblas” by Shubert Ciencia, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved

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