For the next elections and even without elections, this country needs as many honorable Filipinos always. By honorable, we are not referring to the outer appearance or high social or wealthy standing of people. By honorable, we mean those who, in their thoughts, words, and actions respect themselves, those who respect others, and those who respect God.
Those who respect themselves know exactly their own strengths and weaknesses. They themselves know what they are capable of doing, what they have done for themselves, for others and for God in honest, transparent ways. They respect men and women, they respect their parents, they respect people regardless of age, gender, class, religion, and diversity. They respect LIFE and human rights. Most especially, the truly honorable are those who prioritize serving God and His people.
When a Visayan-speaking candidate uses expletive Tagalog language to refer to mothers and Pope Francis, the use of the vulgar, disrespectful language shows the character of the candidate. He may appear or be made to appear by controlled media as a Dirty Harry and a champion -, one who can literally eliminate and wipe out the criminals or the corrupt. But real, genuine champions need not be crass, disrespectful of women and the rights of the corrupt, of violators. A real champion does not have to curse the Pope at all just because he experienced traffic inconvenience.
We join Bishop CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas in grieving over disrespectful candidates who insult all else but themselves. We agree with Archbishop Soc that when a candidate is cheered on for the following words, "Pope, p- ina ka, umuwi ka na. 'Wag ka nang bumisita dito," it is a serious signal for us to not only grieve but to pray harder for our people who have sunk so low, they cheer and honor those who curse their mothers and the Pope and those who have no regard for human lives and the rights of the corrupt and violators.
We ask the same questions asked by Archbishop Soc. " "Is this the leadership by example that Mayor Duterte excites in us? Is this the leadership by example that makes a public official deserving of the title 'Honorable'?"
We agree that ""Vulgarity is corruption. When we find vulgarity funny, we have really become beastly and barbaric as a people. When a revered and loved and admired man like Pope Francis is cursed by a political candidate and the audience laugh," together with the Archbishop and all others who prefer truly honourable leaders and Filipinos, we join and bow our heads and "grieve in great shame" as our kababayans have "gone to the dregs."
Gender-sensitive candidates and human rights advocates are what we expect of leaders. Of course, who does not want a leader that can wipe out corruption or poverty? But does that leader have to show his disrespect for women by having many wives and lovers, and without guilt or qualm, flaunt his so-called machismo? Does a leader have to summarily kill, without due procedure, anyone deemed a criminal? Does he have to call mothers the p-word?
Is this the type of leader we want to lead our country?
Goodness. Time to pray even more for wiser discernment among our people to elect the genuinely kagalang-galang, true public respectable and respectful servants of our people, our women, our mothers, and God.