Prayerful man

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

LAST week, TV, newspapers and internet showed a picture of the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano kneeling on both knees while a prayer was being read during at the DFA’s Monday flag ceremony.

And just as I was afraid of, the reaction from some, particularly his detractors, was swift, critical and cruel.

Many were quick to label his unexpected conduct as “epal”, or the picture of a man needing to call attention to himself, in so many words. Others went on to ridicule him, sharing a meme that shows him in the same kneeling position being led by a chain held by President Duterte walking towards Russian President Putin.

Obviously, they don’t know a thing about Sec. Cayetano so they can be forgiven.

For those who care to know more about him, let me share my own experiences working with him, as his consultant, for the past 6 years.

If you have not met a prayerful man other than your bishop, parish priests, ministers and pastors, then meet him in the person of the former senator.

Attending many of his meetings was part of my work as consultant. And his meetings always start with a prayer whether with his staff or guests, in the senate chamber or his office, whether formal or casual gathering of colleagues or friends.   And I kid you not, he still does to this day.

And when he prays, he goes down on both his knees unmindful of others who remain standing or seated.

And what does he pray for? He prays for the people around the table, for the purpose of the meeting and for the intended beneficiaries of the meeting.

And when he calls me on the phone to discuss his urgent requirements, he starts our conversation with a prayer for me and my family and for what he wants to discuss.

The first few times I saw him kneel to pray during a meeting, I felt awkward sitting down around the table with the rest. I only learned to be comfortable after I listened closely to his prayers a couple of times and it was then I realized that this man always prayed with his mind and heart.

So, the next time you see him kneel in prayer in public, know that he kneels only before God, from whom he draws his moral courage and strength to pursue his mission as a public servant.

Call him names for whatever perception one might have of him but make no mistake of labeling him as ‘epal’ when you see him kneel to pray to God because Sec. Cayetano could be praying for you.

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OPPOSING MARTIAL LAW. The declaration of martial law in Mindanao drew varied reactions.

More telling is the loud opposition to the declaration by human rights groups based in Metro-Manila, safely ensconced in their comfort zones, or so they think.

But those who support the call have this practical response to the opposition:  Go live in Mindanao! Live in Marawi City, in Basilan, etc. where the armed separatists and bandits commune and operate, and protest the martial law there from there. I seriously doubt if they can be brave enough to stand on the street with their placards even just for one minute knowing they can get caught in a real crossfire.

But why do the human rights groups protest (at least in Manila) without letup? If they don’t, they stand to lose the millions allotted to them annually by external groups similarly situated. Ditto for leftist movements who stage rallies where they can.  

And who else would protest the declaration? Obviously, the CPP-NPA and the armed separatists (MNLF, MILF and BIFF) that get millions in funding from external sources. Then, there are the sympathizers and recruits of Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups who stand to lose their monthly allowances if their activities are contained.

So what do they all have in common? Their pecuniary interests.

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MARCOS ML VS. DU30 ML. In the early years of Marcos martial law regime, most (with the exception of leftist movements) were actually happy with the “New Society.”  Mr. Marcos’ “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan” received wide support. (In fact, the 1 a.m. curfew made many wives extremely happy!) He was the answer to the people’s clamor for a strong political leadership that was expected to break up the monopoly of power held by the elite. (Mr. Marcos succeeded in projecting himself as a brilliant lawyer, a war veteran, a charismatic and eloquent politician)

The curtailment of freedom of movement was not deemed a high price to pay in return for peace and order in the neighborhood. Parents felt relieved that the ‘flower’ generation of long hair, dope and psychedelic mood was contained.   The censorship of news was a high price to pay for libertarians and journalists but people were not exactly complaining in return for order in the streets and a load of entertainment for general patronage.

So what went wrong largely with the Marcos martial law? What brought it down?

The interminable massive corruption by Mr. Marcos and his cronies including generals and cabinet members and their relatives and blatant abuse of power by appointed and elected officials identified with the officials affiliated with the mammoth KBL political party did it.

Past presidents tried to localize the festering secessionist and communist and banditry problem in the region, and they failed. In fact, it was only President Fidel Ramos who consciously tried to deliver on the economic solutions but these were sabotaged by the armed separatists, communists and bandits that were largely treated with kid gloves over the decades by previous administrations.

The administrations that followed Mr. Ramos reverted to the old policy of tolerance. President GMA attempted a solution handing power to the MILF on a silver platter. This was quickly shot down in congress for varied reasons. When it was PNoy’s turn, he, too, tried to give the country a Bangsamoro region, again empowering MILF. It was the opening that led to the growth of terrorism in Mindanao.

Today, Mr. Duterete wants to finally put an end, if he can, to the myriad of complex problems that beset the region with a one-two punch: throw in the military and law enforcers and bring in the infrastructure to bring in investments.

It’s too early to tell if he is, indeed, the strong leader that the 16 million votes clamored.

But his oft-repeated mantra – “I will not tolerate corruption” – has made people more at ease in welcoming the Duterte martial law.

Besides, what better alternative do people have? A government run again by Aquino-Trillanes-De Lima-Drilon power block?  Go figure!

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