When the winds are against our boats, we are tempted to stop rowing, and just go with the flow downstream. When the dominant social forces do not conspire with our values, we are tempted to stop the fight.
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 charges on the rigging of the past national election. The Commission on Elections is ignoring them despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. What shall we do?
The inflation is high, the prices of basic commodities are no longer quite affordable, the wages remain where they were, and there is no government plan on how to alleviate this. What shall we do?
Senator Leila de Lima has been languishing in jail for six years and the powers that be are determined to keep her there despite trumped up charges and retraction of their witnesses. What shall we do?
The present government has severed its ties with the International Criminal Court (ICC) when the decision did not go in their favor. In the meantime, the victims are waiting for justice. What shall we do?
The Philippines find itself at the lowest rank in the survey for the reading comprehension, math and science skills in the world (even lower than many of our Asian neighbors), and there is no palpable government plan for this—other than mandatory ROTC and taking out teacher’s creativity in the management of their classrooms. What shall we do?
Our own military is being intimidated in the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine government does not show decisive political action or diplomatic defense. What shall we do?
The Maharlika Fund has been signed into law by the President. But even business people and lawmakers talk about dangerous provisions and loopholes. Shall we just wait for the consequences to happen? What shall we do?
The Offices of the President and Vice President are requesting for big amounts of “confidential funds” from our country’s coffers without the need to account for them. What shall we do?
These and many other issues need our determined Christian option. It is no time for lethargic inaction even if the winds are not on our favor.
Life has been cheapened and trivialized by the killings carried out in the name of the past administration’s War on Drugs. In August alone police deadly violence crushed the promise of two young lives: Jemboy Balthazar (Caloocan, August 2) and John Francis Ompad (Rodriguez, Rizal, August 20). A few days earlier a former police was caught on video cocking his gun and pointing it at a helpless biker. What do you call a country where the very law enforcers have become the purveyors of violence and lawlessness?
What shall we do? It is now time to act!