Commentary: Of men, responsibility and cooperation
By Aurora J. Casimpan
Tacloban City (31 August) -- When men cannot argue, they fight. When a call to a fight is not allowed or simply ignored, they walk out. And when they walk out, they leave scattered paper trail and invectives and worse threats.
Such was the picture of lawmakers seen throughout the Philippine archipelago and the world. What else will happen next - to be witnessed again? Can worse be any better?
The halls of Congress are hallowed and its members respectable. The men and women are there as representatives of people who elected them because of the belief they are models of decorum - of intellect of what is good and the best in man. But what are these men and women showing to the people and the world at large?
What has suddenly become of Congress? Has it become a venue for fight and tantrums? Discussion for the good of the country and subsequent legislations of laws has been relegated to the sides?
Time and again, the rule of law is invoked. Civilized men like our lawmakers are expected to follow the law. Ordinary men like the citizens of the country, when they go against the law are punished accordingly.
So what happens if it is the lawmakers who do not follow the rule of law?
So many questions and no forthcoming answers.
Meanwhile, the impeachment proceeding is on. Whatever is the outcome should be respected by all sectors. The case is in Congress - so let all stakeholders leave it there. Let it end there and not on the streets. There are other more important things to do than dwell on it. As of now, all hands should unite in looking at the alternative source of oil and on how the country can profit on its use. Nature has a way of getting back on those who neglects what is offered.
The Filipino is resilient and is forgiving. But for how long will he stay on the sideline and watch his country plunge downward. Enough of the differences - join hands in moving the country forward. A country's development can surely be done on the cooperative hands linked together to pull all men upwards.
The President is doing no less and other sectors as well. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has just pledged to help advocate the 2004-2010 Medium Term Development Plan after it signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Economic Development Authority. The show of support from a private group is a response to the President's call for all sectors of society to ensure the realization of the MTPDP and the Medium Term Regional Development Plans.
Impeachment or none, the President continues to work for the people.
The President of the Republic of the Philippines MUST work FOR the people of this country. The Office MUST NOT be soiled or compromised by whoever is in its Seat - at all cost.
Once the lack of confidence creeps in, every endeavour is deemed futile, worthless, waste of public funds, etc etc.
Is this what we are looking at?
Are Filipinos non-critical? How can the common Filipino be heard when the deemed respectable august senators/representatives act like just the common passerby?
Is there hope? Or maybe most of us are just waiting for someone to lead us into another slaughter. Or waiting for the bandwagon.
How about we teach our children now? Maybe they will have a better future.
There is a Russian saying "when the fish rot it starts in the head".To fix our system maybe we should do the reverse and whala - its fixed.It sounds so simple but its not like that.
"We deserve the kind of gov't that we have", someone said.Why, because of our indiferrence.Because of our kanya kanya and bahala na attitude.We have to be proactive.We have to get involved.We must vote for the candidate that has the potential for uplifting our lives.Campaign for that candidate if you must and dont sell your vote. Until then we have no reason to complain.
