THE ISSUE IS GOOD AND EVIL.

How can anyone say that the 2010 presidential contest is not between good and evil? Good and evil being the highest and ultimate contradiction permeates every aspect of humanity. This constant conflict between the two must be resolved when it reaches critical height, surpassing any other issue in any aspect of human living.

In fact, death renders useless all other issues in a person—like whether the person was poor or rich or competent in a job or not. Then, it is only the issue on “good and evil” that matters. Hebrews 9:27 says: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”

Our democratic system is bleeding profusely from wounds inflicted by immorality. Is it not the Garci issue that has weighed down on the governance of President Macapagal-Arroyo all these years, compelling her to cover lie after lie while dragging institutions down the drain? The people have lost trust in Congress, the Ombudsman, the generals, the Commission on Elections, the Department of Justice, etc. The bleeding must be stopped before any real business can proceed. Any good long-term political vision may come in too late at the death of our democracy.

We have reason to fear another nightmare in our political history: a president is bent on doing all she can, no matter how messy, just to stay in control, may it be that of assuring the proclamation of an administration bet.

—PABLO BAEN SANTOS,
108E F. Roxas St., Caloocan City