Trust and prayers

The Filipino people gave President Noynoy (P.Noy) an overwhelming mandate last May. Once again, the Filipinos showed their support of P.Noy by giving him the highest trust rating (88%) ever, since 1989.

P.Noy's trust rating surpasses that of his mother, President Cory whose highest net trust rating was 42%, according to the survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The vote of confidence and trust carries more responsibility on the part of P.Noy and his government to render genuine, transparent, and effective public service and governance. P.Noy's response to the high ratings showed that he understood the real message of the people who gave him their votes and their trust - he is quoted to have said that the survey results would serve as an impetus for his government to be more diligent with their work.

All Filipinos, however, also have to accept their share of responsibility in reconstructing our society. P.Noy and his government cannot renew and rebuild this society alone. All Pinoys worthy of the name Filipinos have to do their share as well.

Prayers can be contributed by every Pinoy for P.Noy and his government. Prayers for peace and protection are much needed for P.Noy and his government to continue and to move on with their genuine reforms for all Pinoys.

The continuation of killings of media people and activists confirm the presence of forces that want to present or perhaps create a scenario of political instability and lack of strong leadership on the part of P.Noy. Add to these forces those who feel threatened with reforms directed against the abusive and corrupt and it will be easy to see why these forces will want destabilization to escalate to remove P.Noy.

P.Noy himself recognizes the risks and dangers of being President. He is no stranger to assassination attempts and coups. Was he not himself a victim of such attempts during his mother's term? P.Noy has seen a gun pointed at him to finish him off. P.Noy has stared death in the face and could only utter "no more" at the soldier whose gun could have killed him years ago. Providentially, the soldier with the gun walked away instead of firing the bullets that would have ended the life of Noynoy then.

Now that P.Noy is the head of this country and especially because he wants to reform this country for Pinoys, he is in even graver danger against all the forces of the corrupt and the abusive. Hence, the need for continuing prayers to shield P.Noy so that, together with the genuine Pinoys, together with a prayerful people, real change can be attained, one where P.Noy and Pinoys will be proud to see a morally-strong society with a prosperous and sustainable economy responsive to the needs of the most needy.

Beyond mandate and trust, Pinoys need to add prayers and genuine volunteerism to support P.Noy's commitment to rebuild our nation. Rather than wait at the sidelines to ask or idly watch what P.Noy and his team can do for Pinoys, all Pinoys should start sharing now, immediately what they can, however and wherever they can. Some NGOS have started by sharing food with the hungry. All sectors should start contributing their sustainable share for their fellow Pinoys from now on. Praying for P.Noy and our country and our people is a doable and very significant contribution. Sharing other resources can be additional forms of volunteerism much needed by our people and our country.

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