Even before he was elected, during the time he went on a personal retreat to ascertain whether he would run for President, Noynoy Aquino knew clearly who to serve: God.
He knew that once he declared his candidacy, he was obeying God's call for him to serve God's people. Noynoy won and now he must fulfill his vow to serve God and to serve God's people. Noynoy's faith should clearly show him that without both God and the people, he would not be where he is now, the newly elected President of the Philippines.
This reminder has to be made time and again lest P.Noy falls into the secular trap and framework of misplaced utang na loob. He is not beholden to any mortal, not even to his party for having been elected President of this country. To use his favorite phrase, "at the end of the day," P.Noy has to always remember that his pact is with the Lord. However his days of leadership may turn out to be, he has to recall why he had to run for President and he has to always remember who to serve now that he is has been elected President.
His selection of his Cabinet members should not, then, be made on the basis of party loyalty. It was not his party nor his campaign donors that made him win. His faith should constantly be there to allow him to clearly see the demarcation between the sacred and the secular.
He has to always put God and the Filipino people first before party, family, and friends. Therefore, he has to choose those who can serve God and the Filipino people best as part of his working team, transition or otherwise.
Noynoy was not elected President to prepare the stage for the political comeback or launching of any future presidential candidate. He was elected President because he has to do service for the Lord and for the Filipino people.
What type of service?
One that would morally uplift our people to rejoice in the spiritual renewal and healing of our land: no to poverty, no to corruption, yes to honesty, integrity, dignified labor, real public service and transparent governance.
On his own, by himself, P.Noy will definitely be saddled with much diversion and temptation to take the easier convenient, pragmatic path of political compromise. However, he merely has to remember that he does not need the power nor did he run to seek power for himself. His power is for and from the Lord and the Filipino people.
But mortal like all of us, deciding in favor of God and His people is easier said than done.
This is where the Filipino people, those who voted for him or not, can come in to help in the genuine healing of our land: we can continue to pray for P.Noy to be always guided by the Lord to truly serve the people, to be always surrounded and assisted by public servants who are also just as keen to serve the Lord and His people.
There was much prayer that came at the wake of P.Noy's mother's death and burial, during his discernment period whether to run or not to run, during the campaign and all until the canvassing and the final proclamation day. Prayers should not cease but should be the cornerstone of this new era of change, of this new administration.
Continuing prayers for God's guidance for Noynoy, his work team and our people as well as positive, collaborative work and sincere service from all Filipinos will guarantee a healed nation, a renewed people.
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com