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Thursday, January 29, 2004
Sienes: The political support of religious sects
By Cris G. Sienes
Different Strokes
If the political support is given voluntarily with no strings attached, there is nothing wrong with it... But if the political support is given in exchange for something like cash or political favors, then there is something legally and morally wrong. Legally, it is tantamount to bribery or vote buying. Morally, it is intrinsically evil.
LESSON FOR YOUNG GIRLS. The sexual assault and fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old housemaid at Times Beach recently should serve as a lesson for young girls.
The ill-fated housemaid had just met her suspected assailant at the Davao Medical Center where he had been watching his sick mother. They became fast friends. Even as she hardly knew him, she trusted him completely and agreed to go out on a date with him at Times Beach on that fateful night of Jan. 21.
Too late did the housemaid realize that the man was an erogenous vulture in a dove's clothing. She must have resisted his sexual advances. That's why he stabbed her 11 times before consuming his lust on her dying body.
Later asked by investigators why he stabbed the girl, the suspected assailant reportedly replied that it was his "trip." Was he perhaps high on drugs?
Anyway, the tragic incident should serve as a lesson for young and unsuspecting girls not to immediately fall for the glib tongue and guiles of a man they hardly know, trust him and agree to go out alone with him at night. He could be a ravenous werewolf in the guise of a lamb. And yes, of course, once a girl's most precious possession is broken, it can never be put back as perfect as it was before.
GRATIS ET AMORE? Two Davao City councilors are of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with politicians seeking support for their candidacy from religious sects known for bloc voting.
They, however, urged religious sects to give their support only to candidates who perform well or who are fit and qualified for the elective posts that they are aspiring for.
When, however, Catholic candidates attend the services of other religious sects and worship with them just to get their support, isn't this hypocrisy?
We agree that there is nothing wrong per se with the practice of politicians in seeking the support of religious sects for their candidacy if the support is given voluntarily and there are no strings attached.
But we would like to ask this burning question: Is the political support of religious sects given gratis et amore or is it given in exchange for something, say, cash or political favors?
If the political support is given voluntarily with no strings attached, there is nothing wrong with it. Ours is still a free country and members of any religious group are free to vote for the candidates of their choice.
But if the political support is given in exchange for something like cash or political favors, then there is something legally and morally wrong. Legally, it is tantamount to bribery or vote buying. Morally, it is intrinsically evil.
JUST DEMANDS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS. In return for their services during elections, public school teachers are asking the Comelec to grant them free hospitalization in case of illness, P500,000 insurance in case of death, free legal counsel if charged in the performance of their election duties, and a P1,000 daily allowance.
Considering that elections in the country sometimes become violent, the demands of the public school teachers are just and reasonable and should be granted.
Our amiable Comelec 11 Regional Director Lirio Joquiño thinks so, too. But while she is only too willing to grant the demands of the public school teachers, the big question remains whether the Comelec central office has the resources to grant the demands.
Maybe the DepEd should press the Department of Budget and Management to set aside funds for the Comelec to be able to grant the demands of the public school teachers.
NO OFFENSE INTENDED FOR FPJ. Here we will be merely stating an opinion of a friend. In doing so, we mean no offense for FPJ. His numerous supporters say he is a good man, and he must be.
The friend that we are referring to owns a cozy bakery and refreshment parlor. As we patronize his bakery and he follows this column, we naturally became very good friends.
Recently we ask our friend: "So who's your candidate for President? Are you for FPJ also?"
He replied: "Look, Sir (he addresses me as "Sir" since he is still a young man), I went through college and earned a degree. Then I pursued a masteral course. If I will vote for a high school dropout like FPJ, it will be an insult to my educational training and qualification."
Obviously our friend belongs to the elite group of intelligent voters. Like we said earlier, ours is still a free country and everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
POINT TO PONDER: "Fanaticism is not a character of mature societies but of unstable and politically primitive societies. Nor is it an expression of strengthe and self-confidence." (J. William Fulbright, Address, September 1964)
The above is a good point to consider for the many political fanatics that we have in the country, particularly now that elections are just a few months away.
(January 29, 2004 issue)
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