By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
For most Filipinos, the Holy Week largely served as a significant time of choosing something relevant related to their spiritual lives. There are a lot of insights on this concern.
There are dramatic religious re-enactments throughout the country. Many of them have grown into a real tourist attraction. It was said that there are many things to reflect. For one, there’s Christ passage to heaven. Maundy Thursday is the most intensively celebrated day of the holy week. Deep in thought, people attended church. And on Good Friday, almost everything grinds to a halt. There is tangible silence in urban and rural areas. It’s time for reflecting on how and why Jesus Christ was nailed on an old rugged cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday there’s the resurrection of Christ. At dawn, mother and son procession begins symbolizing the risen Christ’s meeting with his mother.
That’s just about it. The significance only lasted for the week. For a short moment only.
I can’t accept this anymore. How ironic was it that it was the truth about Philippine society.
Today, Filipinos are undergoing a bruising crucifixion because of the high cost of living and devastating effects of rampant corruption in the government. Yet, for the duration of the “holy week” we saw these inept, incompetent and corrupt politicians at churches. It’s like a mere replay of previous “holy week” narratives.
And then they’re certainly back to their dirty old ways this time around amassing more money for the synchronized barangay and SK polls on November 2 of this year. In support of their stooges in the grassroots level and who shall subsequently back them up in the 2028 elections. In Ifugao, politicians made themselves visible in barangay fiestas and barangay assemblies.
If the result is favorable and their financial resources are further augmented by funds from illegal drugs and gambling, they are in a position to engage in massive vote-buying schemes.
That’s how it works. The so-called “bobotantes” indeed are playing a good part of it. Crooks, movie actors, sports heroes and TV personalities easily are emerging as winners. Their rallies are like circus entertainment.
Senators and congressmen who figured in the despicable “flood control” scandal relied on their “singing” and “dancing” antics to draw the votes of the “bobotantes.” Never mind, if they don’t have the platform of governance and plan on how to solve the people’s problems. Shame on you!
With these senatongs and coingressmen (others call them congtractors) around, corruption will just flourish.
So, need folks refrain from eating meat during the “holy week”? With sky-high price of pork, who needs a reminder.
When the time of choosing “holy week” rites is over, you will realize there is a daily calvary to overcome for most Filipinos. Alarming increase in the prices of basic commodities is no joke. Today, many are driven to poverty. Time to bite the bitter pill: poverty shall shatter their dreams.
Today, it would begin to look its still “holy week” for them. Of course, its “unholy week” for most. For moneyed traditional politicians or trapos still have total impunity to commit graft practices. But despite all of that, there are still few good men and women who shall show the way to the tree of life. Yes, there are still a few who are caring for the life and welfare of the people. Asking the officialdom to do so must remain the priority. Now when the “Honorables” had realized all that matters in governance they must do only one thing: Give every Filipino, especially the poor ones, the quality service they deserve
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