AN URGENT CALL FOR NATIONAL MORAL TRANSFORMATION
Our country once more stands in shock at the revelation of the extent
of
corruption, bribery, and violation of human rights, in the government.
We are numbed and dispirited at the seemingly endless stream of
controversial cases involving public officials in the highest rungs of
governance and power acting as predators to our hapless people, who are
ultimately the victims of corruption in government.
But even as we feel this way, we see a ray of light, and remain
hopeful,
with the emergence of persons who, braving grave risks to themselves
and
their families have come out and spoken the truth. This leads the way
for us to get involved meaningfully in ferreting out the truth, in
giving moral support, in partnering with them, and in strongly
expressing our demand for accountability from government. We can no
longer remain quiet or stand in the sidelines unaffected by all this.
The likes of Fr. Ed Panlilio, governor of Pampanga, Mr. Rodolfo Lozada
Jr., among others, stand out as our modern-day prophets in flesh and
blood, buckling the destructive power brokers that sap our nation of
strength and hope. Their moral courage invites us to be in solidarity
with them and join our individual efforts together in transforming our
society. That we too may become prophets in this critical time in our
history as a people.
We in the Magis Deo Community, therefore, earnestly and strongly appeal
to the President and her official family, including perhaps her
personal
family, the Congress, and the Courts, to be of one mind and spirit in
heeding our people’s cry for justice, genuine reforms, and morality in
public service. Only then can our people begin to trust again and
become part of the solution to our manifold problems.
In closing permit us to offer the following concrete steps that
hopefully can trigger action from our national leadership, and from our
people as well.
* For Malacanang to allow the truth to come out, whoever gets hurt,
by giving clearance to its people involved in all alleged graft cases
not only to testify but to tell the truth and make available all
evidence necessary for their successful prosecution. This will bring
closure to these cases that have continuously frayed the moral fabric
of
our society.
* For our Senators and Congressmen/Congresswomen to be able to rise
above narrow partisan politics and the seductions of power and once
more
become genuine representatives of our people, listening and responding
to their needs.
* For our people to:
o Consistently write to their respective congressmen and
senators, as well, and disavow support for them if they fail to pursue
and sustain efforts at moral recovery in their actions as our
representatives.
o Monitor actions of Malacanang, Congress, the different line
departments, and law enforcement agencies, on how they pursue or
violate
the people’s interests, by networking with like-minded and like-hearted
people in these offices, with civil society, the Church, media,
business, other public interests groups, and with our people at large,
to create deeper broad-based awareness and unified action in this
regard.
o Demand, attend, and support public hearings on cases that
have direct bearing on the public interest, while relentlessly pursuing
credible closures on these cases.
o Exercise vigilance by documenting and reporting even the
smallest acts of graft and corruption, and violation of human rights,
such as those taking place in local government units, the police, BIR,
Customs, LTO, and other instrumentalities of government, ever mindful
of
our social conscience.
Let us be inspired by what the late US Senator Robert Kennedy once
said,
“Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot
of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny
ripple of hope. And crossing each other from a million different
centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can
sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
And finally, in full support of the stand of the CBCP for communal
action to serve the cause of truth, we enjoin all families in this our
beloved country to come together and hold prayer meetings, vigils, and
rallies to commend to God our fervent hope for a better Philippines
where justice and love bring about peace and prosperity for all our
people.
THE MAGIS DEO COMMUNITY
(Sgd.) Levy and Roxanne Espiritu (Sgd.) Ed and
Claire P. Palma
Chaircouple
Social Advocacy Committee
(Sgd.) Rev. Fr. Ruben M. Tanseco, S.J.
Spiritual Director
Tags: ACTION
