Moral Force Movement

MFM 101: On Monday, August 31, National Heroes Day, the Moral Force Movement (MFM) will be formally launched at the Far Eastern University. In a nutshell, the MFM is a social movement advocating good governance through transformational leadership and responsible citizenship. It was formed to combat the moral degradation that is slowly, yet surely, permeating not only our institutions but our values as a people. But rather than just cursing the darkness, the MFM seeks to light a candle by upholding, promoting, celebrating and reinforcing the good and the right in Philippine society. For as MFM convenor Chief Justice Reynato Puno, believes: “Sa kaibuturan, ang tunay na Pilipino ay bantayog ng matuwid at totoo.”

At the outset it should be emphasized that the MFM is not a political party. Contrary to earlier speculations, it will not serve as a platform to be used by anyone to pursue partisan political ends. But non-partisan should not be equated to being apolitical. The MFM will not stand idly by in the face of immorality or wrongdoing. For example, it will do its part to champion clean, orderly and credible elections.  

The strategy that will be used to achieve its goals is the “bibingka” method. In the same way that you cook the popular Filipino delicacy, the MFM endeavors to institute change simultaneously at the top and in the bottom.

On the one hand, it seeks to encourage the development of transformational (as opposed to “transitional”) leaders in the public and private sectors. Such leaders sacrifice self-interest for the common good and exhibit EFFECTIVE (“Kapitan ng Barko”), EMPOWERING (“Huwaran ng Serbisyo”) and ETHICAL (“Katiwala ng Bayan”) leadership. The MFM will acknowledge good characteristics and efforts and showcase morally upright individuals as role models of society. 

On the other hand, it will also engage individuals to be responsible citizens through their participation in education and service-oriented programs geared towards instilling the values of integrity, social responsibility and love of country. By enlightening Filipinos about the genesis of problems in society and discussing viable solutions, the MFM hopes to empower Filipinos to be proactive in determining the country’s collective future.                    

But perhaps the biggest potential contribution of the MFM is to become a unifying catalyst for similarly minded organizations in pursuit of good governance. It aims to assist in the consolidation of multi-sectoral efforts by providing a “big tent” and building a strong and expansive network of individuals and organizations who share a common vision of honor and service for the nation.

For its first project, the MFM will be focusing on the upcoming elections. It will begin its advocacy through a voter’s education program that aims to move the voters to select transformational leaders in the 2010 national and local elections. Let me donate two centavos to this worthy project.

Inspired and convened by Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, the core group members of the MFM include Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) chair, Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, Movement for Good Governance (MGG) interim head, Dr. Milwida Guevara, Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP) president, Monsignor Gerardo Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer chair Marixi Prieto, Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) president, Gen. Jaime Echevarria, United Methodist Church of the Philippines Bishop Emerito Nacpil, 2008 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines awardee, Noorain Sabdulla and yours truly. Dean Antonio La Vina of the Ateneo School of Government serves as MFM executive director. 

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Environmental Champion: August 31 is truly auspicious as this is also the date when the annual Ramon Magsaysay Awards will be conferred. In this regard, one centavo goes to Antonio Oposa Jr., the only 2009 Ramon Magsaysay awardee from the Philippines. He was cited by the Awards Committee for “his pathbreaking and passionate crusade to engage Filipinos in acts of enlightened citizenship that maximize the power of law to protect and nurture the environment for themselves, their children, and generations still to come.” The Ramon Magsaysay awards have been dubbed as the Asian counterpart of the Nobel prize. Tony Oposa ventured into Environmental Law when the subject was not yet fashionable. And his seemingly quixotic battles against big time loggers and industrial pollutants produced landmark Supreme Court decisions. Recently, Tony filed contempt charges against six cabinet members for not implementing the Supreme Court ruling regarding the cleaning of Manila Bay. His next windmill is to beat his legendary octogenarian father, Dr. Antonio Oposa, in golf.

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Overseas Filipino Role Models: And speaking of recognizing excellence, one centavo goes to the Bank of the Philippine Islands led by its president, Aurelio R. Montinola III, for spearheading the creation of the BPInoy Awards. Now on its fourth year, the awards pay tribute to overseas Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. It is truly fitting and proper to honor our brothers and sisters abroad as it is their remittances that have shielded our country from the global economic downturn. This year’s awardees include renowned painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, international banker and economist Dr. Eli Remolona, and White House executive chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford. Speaking of the latter, there is no truth to the rumor that Senator Lito Lapid requested for a photo opportunity with her in place of President Obama.

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            “For all those whose

            cares have been our concern,

            the works goes on,

            the cause endures,

            the hope still lives

            and the dream shall

            never die.”

                                                     — Sen. Ted Kennedy

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