2.1.5 READINGS ON EDUCATION
2.1.5.1 Human Options
What our society needs is a massive and pervasive resensitization. The first aim of education should not be to prepare young people for careers but to enable them to develop respect for life. Related lessons would be concerned with the reality of human sensitivity and the need to make it ever finer and more responsive; the naturalness of loving and the circumstances that enhance it or enfeeble it; the right to privacy as an essential condition of life; and the need to avoid the callousness that leads to brutalization. Finally, there is the need to endow government with the kind of sensitivity that makes life and all its wondrous possibilities government’s most insistent concern. (Norman Cousins. Human Options, An Autobiographical Notebook)
2.1.5.2 No Man Can Serve Two Masters
A human being is very complex, made up of body and soul, flesh and spirit, sensate in his love of pleasure, but rational in his thoughts and ideals. The character each of us creates depends on whether we give primacy to the body or to the soul. ‘No man can serve two masters.’ It is easy to let the body, or the senses, or carnal pleasures dominate. All we have to do is to ‘let go.’ But it is very hard to have the right spirit and the soul and the ideal dominate. This requires the harnessing of the sensate and a disciplining of our lower appetites. (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Life Is Worth Living)
2.1.5.3 How to Develop Character
No character ever develops without a certain amount of punishment and resistance and mortification to that which is evil. It will hurt a bit as the violin, if it were conscious, would scream with pain when the violinist tightens the strings. But the violinist would say, ‘My dear string, this is to give you a better tone.’ If a block of marble were conscious, it would protest when the chisel strikes, but the sculptor would say, ‘There is a beautiful form inside of you, and all you have to do is cut away that which is gross, and the inner beauty will be revealed.’ (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Life Is Worth Living)
2.1.5.4 Civic Duty and National Renewal
Civic duty in our time, I submit, consists mainly of three tasks. The first is to seek to understand the demands of modern society and to participate responsibly in its collective life. The second is to help lessen the suffering of others in our midst. And the third is to make accountable those who make decisions in our name.
These three elements of civic duty are interrelated. Our ability to make others accountable for the decisions they make in our name depends very much on the extent of our fidelity to our obligations to members of society. We would be deterred from demanding of others what we ourselves fail to practice in daily life. We would feel compromised and ethically disabled. In like manner, we may be so engrossed in our personal lives that we fail to connect to the life of the community in any way.
In times such as ours, one’s first duty, I think, is not to despair but to seek greater understanding of what is happening to us as individuals and as a nation. Despair is the other face of confusion. Our failure to make sense of complex events is bound to lead us to ineffective action. We must learn to think reflexively and critically so we may begin to realize our blind spots and correct them. We must not fear and obstruct the new; rather, we must track its movement and befriend it.
The modern society that is upon us demands that we abide by its most basic rules. They are not difficult to understand. What are these? Three things basically: (1) Fall in line and wait for your turn; (2) Know the rules and follow them; (3) Come on time. These simple rules will permit us to navigate the complex terrain of the modern world with ease. There is not a single modern society in the world today that does not strictly enforce these rules. (Randy David’s Column, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jan. 30, 2008)
2.1.5.5 PROVERBS (from The Wisdom Books, The Jerusalem Bible)
2.1.5.5.1 Portrait of a Scoundrel
A scoundrel, a vicious man,
He goes with a leer on his lips, winking his eye, shuffling his foot,
beckoning with his finger.
Deceit in his heart, always scheming evil, he sows dissension.
Disaster will overtake him sharply for this, suddenly, irretrievably,
his fall will come.
2.1.5.5.2 Seven things hateful to God
There are six things that Yahweh hates, seven that his soul
abhors:
a haughty look,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that weaves wicked plots,
feet that hurry to do evil,
a false witness who lies with every breath
a man who sows dissension among brothers.
2.2 POLITICAL EDUCATION
2.2.1 FOUNDATION AND PURPOSE OF THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY
The human person is the foundation and purpose of political life. Endowed with a rational nature, the human person is responsible for his own choices and able to pursue projects that give meaning to life at the individual and social level.
2.2.1.1 The Barangay
The Republic of the Philippines is made up of some 40,000 barangays. Under the Local Government Code of 1991, the barangay serves as the primary unit of government policy, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. There must be a vision for every barangay as there should be a vision for every family, and that vision is for every barangayeno to experience life in its fullness by loving God and serving others where nobody will go hungry, where everybody will have a roof over his head, where nobody will go out of his or her barangay to beg or sell cigarettes and other items in the streets, where everybody will have a decent life and a decent burial.
It is therefore important for all barangayenos to know, understand and actively participate in reforming the direction and manner of governing their community for the common good. The barangay has its own territory, resources and government; and its own three branches of government.
In order for barangayenos to be of help to one another, there must be a barangay profile showing its total population, territorial limits, the number of families, the number of children in each family, number of children going to elementary, high schools, and colleges or universities. A list of barangayenos who are unemployed, and underemployed and those who are artisans (e.g. drivers, carpenters, plumbers, etc.) must be made available at the barangay hall and other conspicuous places in the barangay for employment opportunities.
2.2.2 QUALITIES OF A RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL PARTY
A political party is responsible when:
a) its officials and members are faithful to and promote the party’s founding principles, platform, and code of conduct, and make genuine efforts to translate into reality “a government of the people, for the people, and by the people”;
b) it has a built-in education component;
c) it disciplines its erring members;
d) its candidates do not engage in the politics of big money, guns and goons;
e) its candidates do not buy votes;
f) it follows the principle of “First Things First”;
g) it promotes the principles and policies embodied in the Philippine Constitution;
h) it promotes a safe, clean and wholesome environment;
i) it promotes social justice, respect and reverence for life;
j) it promotes active nonviolence and progressive disarmament.
2.2.3 POLITICS - WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT IS NOT
Politics may be described as the art of governance and public service. Vatican II describes politics as a “difficult and noble art” (Gaudium et Spes, 75). Its aim is to realize the purpose of the State.
Politics in the widest sense is the dynamic organization of society for the common good. As such it calls for the responsible active participation of all citizens. (Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes, Religious Life and Human Promotion, 1980, no. 12).
Politics is also used for partisan politics, the competition to win or retain positions of governmental power. In this last sense clerics and religious are forbidden by church law to be involved in (partisan) politics. (Catechism on the Church and Politics, CBCP)
Politics, being a human activity, has a religious and moral dimension which our faith cannot ignore. (CBCP)
Politics, by itself, is not dirty. It’s good. It’s ordained for the good of the people. It is the people who run politics who make it dirty. (Cardinal Jaime L. Sin)
Politics is a vocation. It is an important vocation as being a family person, a parent, a doctor, or a priest. Politics is as important as family life, the economy, and religion. I feel very sad when people denounce politics for what it is. There is nothing wrong with politics. It is bad politics that we want to purge from our nation’s life, not politics itself. There is no way we can avoid politics. We play politics in our everyday lives, without our realizing it. So politics is an essential ingredient of collective life. (U.P. Professor Randy David in a speech at the meeting of Ang Kapatiran Party on 4 Sept. 2004)
Politics involves the use of power. How we use that power has moral consequences. As Catholic citizens, we have a Gospel duty to work for justice through our nation’s policies. How we live our Catholic faith in our political decision-making has implications both for our nation’s moral health and our own relationship with God. (Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. Denver, Colorado)
Justice is both the aim and the intrinsic criterion of all politics. Politics is more than a mere mechanism for defining the rules of public life: Its origin and its goal are found in justice, which by its very nature has to do with ethics... A just society must be the achievement of politics, not of the Church... The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society is proper to the lay faithful... We have seen that the formation of just structures is not directly the duty of the Church, but belongs to the world of politics, the sphere of the autonomous use of reason. The Church has an indirect duty here, in that she is called to contribute to the purification of reason and to the reawakening of those moral forces without which just structures are neither established nor prove effective in the long run. (Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est)
2.2.3.1 Politics of Virtue
The cultivation of virtue makes individuals happy, wise, courageous, and competent. The result is a good person, a responsible citizen and parent, a trusted leader. Without a virtuous people, society cannot function well. And without a virtuous society, individuals cannot realize their own or the common good. This is what is called the politics of virtue.
2.2.3.2 Politics of Duty
If everyone would do his/her duty, there will be no occasion for anyone to claim his/her right. There has been an over-insistence on rights at the expense of responsibilities. We need to revive the idea that small sacrifices by individuals can create benefits for all. It is well to remember the moral principle “that men individually are responsible for what they make of themselves but collectively they are responsible for the world in which they live.”
2.2.3.3 Politics of Stewardship
The politics of stewardship is not just a way of life, it is a good way of life. In fact, for many, it is a way to a better life. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. Stewardship means allowing God to rule our lives, putting God in charge of everything, including our time and our money.
2.2.3.4 Politics of Transparency and Public Accountability
The politics of transparency and accountability means the right of the people to demand transparency and accountability from government and its officials. Transparency and accountability are critical for the efficient functioning of a modern economy and for fostering social well-being. Without transparency and accountability, trust will be lacking between a government and whom it governs. The result will be social instability and an environment that is less conducive to economic growth.
2.2.4 THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
The following sections of the Philippine Constitution are cited to illustrate the wide gulf between our Constitution and current practice.
Article II, Declaration of Principles
Sec. 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
Sec. 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.
Sec. 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.
Sec. 4. The prime duty of the government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service.
Sec. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.
Sec. 6. The Separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.
State Policies
Sec. 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Sec. 11. The State values the dignity of the human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
Sec. 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.
Article XI. Accountability of Public Officers
Sec. 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.
2.2.5 SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE - WHAT IT MEANS
As an empowered people, we have the duty and right to tell the parties and candidates what they must do for us and the common good. We therefore must be able to express our collective aspirations to the political parties and their candidates.
By way of illustration, a master gives P3,000 to his servant and tells him to go to the market and buy things for the house. The servant goes to the market as instructed. The servant buys the things he wants. He goes home and shows his master what he has bought. The master gets mad and tells the servant, “You have bought nothing that I like.” The servant replies, “Don’t get mad, it’s not my fault. You didn’t give me a list of the things you wanted me to buy.”
In this story, the master is of course none other than the people, and the servant is the government official. Elected and appointed officials are servants of the people, and we must not allow them to forget this.
In the words of Justice Isagani A. Cruz, “This is a responsibility we must discharge now with the boldness we have long deferred. It is like a time bomb that must be defused before it inevitably explodes and destroys us all. We must enforce our sovereign will against the scoundrels who have bled our country dry. This is a duty that can no longer wait to be performed.”
2.2.6 VOTER’S RESPONSIBLITY
The voter should measure all candidates, policies, parties and their platform by how they protect or undermine life, and the dignity and rights of the human person – whether they protect the poor and vulnerable, and advance the common good. The voter should not sell his/her vote.
If the voter finds his/her dreams and aspirations (e.g. no to pork barrel, political family dynasties, gambling; yes to peace based on love, justice, reconciliation, active nonviolence and progressive disarmament, gun control in public places with stiff penalty and no parole and pardon) embodied in the platform of a particular party whose candidates are committed to the same platform, then the voter must vote for all those candidates.
In our system of government, laws are passed or repealed by majority rule, or in special cases by a required number of votes. Therefore, to make things happen and to meet the voter’s objectives, we need a Kapatiran President, a Kapatiran Senate, a Kapatiran House of Representatives, and a Kapatiran local government.
