When we are paddling our boat and the winds blow against us, we are tempted to stop and just go with the flow. When the dominant social forces do not align with our values, we are tempted to stop fighting. This is the present temptation of well-meaning Christians who have discerned and fought for the values of truth and goodness in the past elections.
But all discernment—if they are authentic at all—should lead to determined choice and decision. All reflection, if they are real fruits of our prayer, should lead us to action. There are credible forces that pose serious questions on the results of last year’s national elections and claim that the results were rigged. Yet, the Commission on Elections is ignoring them.
What shall we do? With high inflation, the prices of basic commodities are no longer affordable, wages remain where they are, and there is no government plan on how to alleviate the situation.
What shall we do? Former senator Leila de Lima has been languishing in jail for six years and the powers that be seem determined to keep her there despite what appears to be trumped-up charges and the recantation of key prosecution witnesses.
What shall we do? The government has severed its ties with the International Criminal Court whose decision did not go in its favor. In the meantime, the victims of the drug war are still waiting for justice.
What shall we do? The Philippines finds itself at the bottom in a survey on students’ reading comprehension, math, and science skills, with no palpable government plan to improve our education system—other than mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and taking out teachers’ creativity in managing their classrooms.
What shall we do? Despite our military being intimidated in the West Philippine Sea, the government does not show decisive political action or diplomatic defense.
What shall we do? The Maharlika Investment Fund has been signed into law by the President, even as business leaders and some lawmakers point out its dangerous provisions and loopholes. Shall we just wait for inevitable consequences to happen?
What shall we do? The offices of the President and Vice President have requested huge amounts of “confidential funds” from our country’s coffers without the need to account for them.
These and many other issues need our determined Christian option. This is no time for lethargic inaction even if the winds are buffeting our sails. Life has been cheapened and trivialized by the killings carried out in the name of the previous administration’s war on drugs. Within this month alone, police violence crushed the promise of two young lives: Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar (Navotas, Aug. 2) and John Francis Ompad (Rodriguez, Rizal, Aug. 20). A few days earlier, a retired police officer was caught on video cocking his gun and pointing it at a hapless rider. What do you call a country whose law enforcers have themselves become the purveyors of violence and lawlessness?
What shall we do? It is now time to act!
Clergy for Moral Choice