I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines
were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It
is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes,
thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse
do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their
bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty
snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully
realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and
running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch
the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They
are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable
and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each
other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse
the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves
are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether
to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and
looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut
around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and
awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like
"Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President".
Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws,
enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do!
These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation ? Robin
Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate
the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what
kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all
the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went
to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would
produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already
indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to
serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think
of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved
Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally
negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that
pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my
earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I
have complained time and again because our government could not
provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty
roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health
services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all
third world countries were all about, and my complaints never
amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents
pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who
accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia
ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile
inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos
and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren
could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag
bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon
involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense
of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average
Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any
wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are
leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry
president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a
rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning
when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's
financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she
opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her
country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are
no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me
feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders,
embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration
for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not
that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions
would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of
anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though
I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need
to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain
lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want
to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something
better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is
not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there
are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to
speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we
have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that
it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to
hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my
responsibility to make sure I have done what I could forit.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to
battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of
good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We
can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others
to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And
we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the
message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these
vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you
can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the
material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them
that there are more important things in this world. I beg all
fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues
of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion ?
right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own.
Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go.
Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they
will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your
family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers ? we always underestimate the power
of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be
aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a
love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in
order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children
into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and
brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our
traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future ?
and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will
be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders,
presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law
enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to
look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your
youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh
realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we
need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom
of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do
what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your
heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread
good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your
best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it
when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past
misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this
country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We
are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who
will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost
to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants,
accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that
when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility
and a record that can speak for itself. For love of this country,
for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and
died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can.
As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than
sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition.
We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
Tel (632) 632-4248
We have received a letter of the delegates of the Focolare Movement in Manila, which we are publishing here.
Arriving at Sulyap (Quezon City), there were hundreds of people to serve. Many of them had sought refuge there, graciously received by our families of the housing project with much selflessness, notwithstanding that they themselves are poor. In an atmosphere of much love the distribution of relief goods to some 300 families was immediately carried out. Surprisingly, in spite of the tragic situation, there was no chaos, instead, there was order and serenity. 
In front of the deep suffering of the devastated community, what our members had previously agreed on earlier, to welcome the brother in every moment, was what was needed: to be one in feeling the pain of loss; to listen in loving silence to the victims' frightful stories; to be there with them in this moment of great need as brothers and sisters.
