Scandal of corruption

RICKY POCA

Think Bits

In an article, Fr. Alberto Alejo, S.J. articulated his sadness and anger over corruption in our country. According to the priest, the Philippines today ranks as the eighth most corrupt country in the world despite the fact that we are considered a Christian country.

Fr. Berting said we have two presidents in the list of the most corrupt leaders in the world. Why have our leaders become so brazen and arrogant? There are so many unresolved national scandals. But Fr. Berting said nothing can be more serious than the people’s resignation to corruption as part of the Filipino way of life.

Fr. Berting lamented that corruption in education affects more people than corruption in most sectors and hurts the developmental potential of the whole country.

“Many graduates of Catholic schools have been successful economically and politically but they have also contributed to the dismal imbalance existing inour country,” Fr. Berting said. How is it that there is so much corruption in the most Catholic country in Asia?

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle identified strong family bonds as a factor  since apparently the singular trademark of graft and corruption in the Philippines is that it is based on kinship. Our strong family ties  have been abused and corrupted.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “Believe me, when fear of God is brought back to the family, we will become a better nation.”  He addied,  “When a sense of honor and dignity returns home we will be able to bounce back to moral uprightness.

“When our passion to preserve our good name is taught again, our youth and children will choose to die rather sin. In a corrupt country, the first victim is the family. The country’s renewal will also begin in the family by turning to the Holy Family,” he said.

I am in total agreement with the prognosis of Cardinal Tagle and Archbishop Villegas. I hope and I am hoping that many of our people especially the political families do read the article of Fr. Alejo because it is the truth and our people can do something about it especially since the election is near and there are many candidates who seem afraid to tell the whole truth. Mind you, these candidates have children who are learning the wrong ways of politics.

Lying should no longer be accepted by the people especially coming from politicians because definitely it results in a corrupt government that will make the people continue to suffer their sad fate. Let us be catalysts of change by voting candidates who are sincere in serving the people with their utmost.

Let me admonish the electorate to vote for honests politician so that we will benefit from good governance as leaders serve the people above self.  We need leaders who are people oriented, who look always at what is good for the people and not for themselves.

We need leaders who persevere in serving the people instead of turning their offices into money-making businesses.

We need a politician who is not afraid to do what is right in spite of opposition and condemnation, who has the courage to resist any order from his political patron or party that is wrong or illegal.

We need a politician who is God-fearing and prayerful, not for show but for real.

Parents taking off from what Fr. Alejo said must now internalize his message because it is not yet too late and we can still make the difference.

To our children and the youth, most of you are very idealistic. Make use of it in carrying out changes for the good in our community. What is happening today is the concern of all the members of our community.

Senior citizens should be examples for us to emulate. They should give credit where credit is due and not be fooled by politicians who only attend to them because for political reasons and not necessarily to address their needs.

Senior citizens, you, too, can make a difference despite your advanced age. You are still useful because you can guide the youth with your wisdom and experience of what is good.

To the women: You are indeed lights that lead our community to what is good. Mothers, nurture your children to be good citizens. Influence them to vote wisely. Families, please stay and work together this May 13 to secure good future for our children and our children’s children. Remember, if God is with us, who can be against us?  It is time for everyone to be God-centered.