CJ Puno to lead moral crusade by Jarius Bondoc

Sticker designed and produced by Pinoy Masons.

"TANZA, Cavite — Chief Justice Reynato Puno is to launch a moral crusade in view of an upsurge of support for his call for clean government. It will be a social movement with formal officers, including spiritual and lay leaders, but strictly no politicians. And its rollout will be before Holy Week, perhaps as early as March 27.

The fifth highest official of the land revealed all this to fellow-Masons who pressed him Saturday for prescriptions for the country’s decline. Institutions are breaking down, they had echoed the spreading fear. Puno replied that the Philippines might end up like other failed democracies. But moral resurgence can halt the slide.

Puno declined for now to name the movement leaders, saying only “there will be no more than ten.” Starting in Manila, they will form chapters nationwide. A think-tank of eminent persons will analyze the main issues and present solutions.

Later in a speech at the inaugural of Provincial Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco as head Mason of this town, Puno expounded on his moral drive. The family, school, church, media and government are decaying, he quoted recent reports. (Newspapers of late have been criticizing the co-opting of such institutions as Congress, judiciary, business, and the military.) “Our moral fiber is in tatters,” Puno noted. “Filipinos have become inured to corruption. We have become insensitive to immorality. Some have become so callous with their wicked ways.”

For Puno, the spark for moral regeneration “is right there in our Constitution.” The Preamble not only implores “the aid of Almighty God,” but also uniquely mentions “love” among the basic principles. (He credits the insertion of “love” to the late Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma, who headed the commission that framed the 1987 Constitution.)

In another address three weeks back, the Chief Justice had called for a “moral force” to direct the national course. This fired up sectors that have long been decrying the Arroyo admin’s corruption and attempts to prolong its tenure. Several groups then asked Puno to lead such a moral force. Two politicians who are planning presidential runs in 2010 offered to step aside so long as he joins the race. But Puno declared himself non-partisan."

[From the Philstar.com GOTCHA column of Jarius Bondoc. Updated February 16, 2009 12:00 AM]

Welcome Blog Crusader!

Bahay Kubo - Nipa Hut. Photo from the Filipiana collection of the New York Public Library.

Probably and most likely that is an apt description of this blog - "Blog Crusader".

A creature, much like an armchair critic who spew and claims to educate the masses on and in the comfort of a gilded life; who find commenting a filler for other aspects of his life. A "former" Pinoy, who by migrating to greener pastures have unconciously given up on the Philippines; much like a rat in a sinking ship. But a Pinoy nevertheless who still clings to his culture, speaking the same language, eating the same comfort food of his boyhood and who still calls the Philippines "home".

There were actually two major events that prompted this blog of sorts:

First and foremost, reading the social commentary of Katherine Mayo entitled "Isles of Fear" [which can be downloaded for free here]; a socio-political commentary about the Philippines under the American rule.

Much to my surprise, the scenes and stories depicted were so familiar, even today after more than half a century when Mayo et al transverse the islands and interviewed and observed what's happening in the whole archipelago.

While, I must admit that there were improvements in the lives of the common tao [common man], for me it wasn't enough.

Secondly, our collective "messianic hope" that a person of great stature will become the President of the country and will make the necessary changes in the lives of the people.

There were so many in the annals of our short history and independence. Today, the name of Chief Justice Reynato Puno is bandied around as our new saviour from the trapos [traditional politicians; to mean corrupt and self serving] come 2010 elections.

With the historic election of the first African-American President in Mr Barrack Obama, and with major financial problems besetting the US; the hopes of its constituents rest on Mr Obama's shoulders. We seem to find hope as well in this current climate. We want a Filipino Obama to lead us out of this wilderness we called corruption.

While I do not discount the importance of a morally centred leadership, a leader can only lead us to water, but can not make us drink it; to paraphrase the saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

There is so much an excellent leader can do and that is what is hard with democracies - participatory democracy; you need to participate properly and intelligently to make the system work. One must know the platform of the politician you are voting into office, as well as his political party. One must also be conversant with the economics of the country and how your brand of democracy works. One must always be vigilant and all-knowingly of the current events to be able to comment and act and be part of the decision making process that is democracy. To voice out one's concerns to a government - that is the ideal situation.

But we live in a reality that is not at par with what we would hope for. All we can do is to educate ourselves and strive for that ideal - to make a difference not for ourselves but for our children and our children's children.

We can only hope and dream, much like Dr Jose Rizal, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela et. al. for a brighter future. And more importantly, we must also act to attain those dreams and hopes!

"To live is to be among men, and to be among men is to struggle, a struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their passions, but also with one's own."

Dr Jose Rizal - Letter to his family, Dapitan (c. 1884)