Brothers and sisters, Proverbs 16:12 says: “It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.” This reminder from the book of Proverbs provides a good foundation to contemplate on President Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address. Can we say that the current administration’s governance in the past three years is steady? If yes, is this based on righteousness?
President Duterte’s leadership is both reflected by light and stained by shadow. We may consider as reflection of light the passing of laws extending maternity leave of working mothers, and ensuring the health of mothers and infants in a span of a thousand days. Through these laws, the government recognizes its duty to care for the health and welfare of mothers and their children. We may also treat the strengthening of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that may yet bring lasting peace in this part of the country as a reflection of light.
Despite these reflections of light, the killings related to the government’s war against drugs still continue. The police’s account of over 6,000 victims is far from the almost 27,000 victims counted by the different human-rights groups.
The lack of job security of workers because of “Endo” or contractualization still continues. These are clear examples of violations of people’s rights. The government’s method of handling the issues of the invasion of foreigners into Philippine territories is also unacceptable. The silence of government in the face of the abuse suffered by Filipino fishermen in June can be considered a submission of our sovereignty.
These are but a few of what can be treated as highlights of the Duterte administration’s third year in office. We praise the policies that bring light. It is commendable when the government gives importance to mothers, as well as its policy of investing in the health of the infants, and having self-determination for our Moro brothers and sisters.
But we will continue to criticize the policies covering our nation in darkness, policies contradicting justice that, according to the book of Proverbs, is the basis of strong and steady governance. The social teachings of the Church also emphasize that justice is giving what is righteous to a person.
With that said, can we say that the governance of our current administration is strong if it denies the opportunity for the people accused in drug-related offenses to defend themselves? Is it a steady government that treats the death of innocent children killed in police operations as “collateral damage?” Is a government strong when it prioritizes the capitalists’ interests instead of the welfare of the workers? Is a government strong when it is prepared to sacrifice its own natural resources to placate foreign powers instead of defending our rights as a free nation? In spite of all these, how can we say that the “king” (or the president) disallows “evil deeds?”
Brothers and sisters, as the current administration enters the second half of its term, we must continue criticizing the darkness and involve ourselves in action to seek a much brighter future for our society. We believe that there’s always a space for the administration to change the policies covering our nation in darkness. In the end, governance of a country can truly be steady and strong if the people won’t allow their leaders to propagate evil.
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