Politics and Lent

According to former president Fidel Ramos that “all politicians should do the ultimate sacrifice” in this time of the Lent and it has to be made in the context that even the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines urged all political candidates to act as “Christians” and exhorts them to engage in “fervent prayers, reflection, penance and charity”. This is ideally the best blessing everyone can receive from politicians vying for public office, at least, for a week; we can focus on ourselves and our personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. Whichever you see it, politicians, like other Christians among us, needs to reflect on their life as public servants.

Just how much sacrifice do we want our politicians to undertake in the call of public service and in the observance of the Lent? Many in our society are accusing esteemed public servants with many rehashed issues that are not even helping our society. Why did I say rehash? It is simply because the issues are years-old and are just resurrected because election time is in the air. Is it not unfair those deserving public servants who have all the visions and their full heart towards the development of our society is viciously attacked and maliciously, malignly and slanderously labeled for political gains? No matter how you see it, it is grossly unfair. Very unfair because all their lives are spent on providing services that have greatly improved the lives of innocent and ordinary people and yet they are wrongfully maligned in the court of public opinion.

At this time of the Lent, let us, responsible voters watch out for those who have vested interests. Let us offer to them our prayers that they will have a changed of heart and support a government that has been proven to provide quality and accessible educational opportunities to everyone in the province, constructed major roads that connects municipalities otherwise disconnected due to its seeming distance, provide quality medical services that has narrowed down barriers for medical treatments. Promoted the tourism potential of the province as well as encourages local tourism that promoted the equal potential of municipalities. Provided livelihood projects that are benefiting poor farmers in the communities.

For sometime now, your humble writer is praying that our province will be gifted with more vitality and progress, that our government will be sustained to continue to provide opportunities to all depending on the demand of the industry. As an opinion writer, I also pray that those who oppose our government will be enlightened to support us instead of ruining our chances at progress. They can have all the time in the world when they will be elected to public office but for now, let us be united in a common purpose and vision. Our province needs to sustain its progress and provide more opportunities to all. Much more, we need our government to continue the gains they have achieve for all of us. Our communal interests are paramount than the vested interests of the few. Yes, I say few because they had been few before, now and in the future.

Now, as we strive to be Christian in the time of the Lent, let us embody the life of Jesus Christ that we will be able to reflect upon ourselves, in the manner we speak, think and act, the examples of a truly Christian life. Nevertheless, I hate to hear somebody talking non-sense and rehashed issues all over again to gain leverage in politics. I hope and pray that they too, will be enlightened.