In RP politics, all sins are forgiven, no penance required.

The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country. Whether or not good Christian values are practiced as a way of life by Filipinos is, however, quite subjective and open to debate.

What is certain is that, there are good Christian values that have been hijacked for purposes other than good. For instance, in this election season, the value of forgiveness is being exploited to further the most devious of interests.

A cursory look at the prospective slate for the Senate of the administration would show that it has forgiven some of the most bitter of its enemies. The same goes for the opposition. Both sides have thrown back bread for the stones that used to fly their way.

This would have been a most remarkable development unheard of in all the millenniums of Christian history if only it can be validated as even remotely similar to that forgiveness Jesus gave his life for and upon which the religion that sprung from such act is based.

But this kind of forgiveness is far from being a Christian act of charity and salvation. There can be no charity where the motive is selfish. And what salvation there may be, it is for nothing but self-preservation.

The inclusion of Tito Sotto and Tessie Oreta in an administration lineup is not forgiveness on the part of President Arroyo. Neither is the inclusion of Loren Legarda and the son of Nene Pimentel in the lineup of the opposition forgiveness on the part of Joseph Estrada.

The switches and resulting composition of strange bedfellows are not indications of a strong Christian foundation suddenly grown manifest in the behavior of political animals as might be caused by upheavals in the political firmament.

If they indicate anything, they showcase the inherent weakness of the Christian faith in a people that, while remarkable in their capacity for flamboyant displays, are really weak and sparse in the core of their beliefs.

While there is so much to disagree with in the great and deadly extremes to which some Muslims carry out their beliefs in their religion, one cannot help but be awed by the fanaticism with which they live and defend their faith.

Whether that is the great difference that divides both great religions or not, the fact of the matter remains that Christians, particularly in the Philippines, are making the comparison rather disgusting and embarrassing.

Here we are, our own president, a self-proclaimed devout Catholic, leading the way in extolling the virtues of Christian forgiveness, for motives that are clearly not meant to reserve a place in heaven for everyone but to secure political leverage for her own gain.

The opposition is just as enthusiastic in flying its own kite of forgiveness, with motives that are just as selfish. Everything has become so simplified. Sin is forgiven by simply switching sides. There is no penance of a few Our Fathers and a few Hail Marys required.

The church, which should have been in the middle of this, as shepherd of the flock and shining example to be followed, is increasingly getting no better and has in fact allowed itself to be drawn into the scene instead of being its overseer.

How quickly the church forgives one character in favor of another. How quickly the church forgives its own self for its excesses. The forgiving spree in Christian Philippines is dizzying. At the rate Filipinos are going at it, we should all go to heaven.