EDITORIAL - Beware that wish

Veteran reporter Kara David recently turned heads when, asked for her wish for her 52nd birthday, she wished for the death of all corrupt people in the country.

"Wish? Sana mamatay lahat ng kurakot sa Pilipinas!" she said.

It’s almost something out of a TV show and, of course, many netizens wanted that wish to come true. Many even joked they wanted a real-life “Death Note” where they can just write the names of those they want to die and they would.

Not a bad wish, we would initially say. Nothing better than seeing those who enrich themselves dishonestly just suddenly croak. But then again, it may not be that simple. Beware that wish.

Considering the current and broader issue, we are sure David wished for the death of only corrupt persons in government and other positions that have access to public coffers.

Because if every person who has engaged in corruption in the country --including those not in government-- would die, then many of us would just drop dead.

What’s the simplest act of corruption many of us have likely done? Sell a vote. Yes, that is a form of corruption.

You may not think much of it. It has become so ingrained in our culture, people think that it’s a normal thing for politicians to buy our votes whenever campaign period rolls in, but it isn’t and it shouldn’t be.

It’s true that many people sell their votes out of a genuine want for money for one’s needs and the needs of one’s family. But that doesn’t erase the fact that that person is accepting a bribe.

Of course, we all know that accepting a bribe is a form of corruption. It may not be in the same level as a government official receiving a bribe in the way of millions of pesos, but it’s still a bribe nonetheless.

We don’t even have to mention the far-reaching consequences of accepting such a bribe; we install in the government people who don’t deserve to be there. The same people we wish would die now.

So while on one side we might want David’s wish to come true, on the other side we are also worried that it actually might.