Here and There
CBCP’s ‘Communal action’ divisive not premature
By Gerry Garcia
THE Catholic bishops’ call for “communal action” in view of whistle blower Rodolfo Lozada Jr’s expose’ of corruption in the $329-million national broadband network has been called “premature” by Palace spokesman Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
Communal action or mass or people power action (in the words of Lingayen-Dagupan Bishop Oscar Cruz), according to Bunye, is creative of an emotionally-charged situation susceptible to grandstanding. As a result of which we end up cutting each other’s throat on the floor instead of arriving at the truth and obtaining justice.
Bunye’s pitch for Administration on the other hand, considers communal action as a call for circumspection, a consideration of all the facts and due regard for what will serve the common good.
Which is in sharp contrast to Bishop Cruz’s impression that he sees the same circumstances today that caused the historic Edsa People Power upheavals in 1986 and 2001. That’s why he ‘s urging mass action – “Tama na ‘yon. Sobra na sila. Kilos na tayo.”
Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, on the other hand says “luma na ang people power”. Past people power revolts might have served as inspiration to other democracies world-wife, but they did not successfully end corruption in the government.
Pueblos, seeking other preferred alternatives, also does not think it a goodidea to compel PGMA’s resignation: Pwede siguro patalsikin na lang ang mga galamay ni PGMA na involved sa corruption.
While Archbishop of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, also rejecting People Power as a solution to the crises, implied why there is so much incompetence in our government. It’s because people who have been successful in one field tend to think that they would be successful in all other fields. That’s why comedians and action stars from Pinoy filmdom easily jump into politics because they are popular while politicians who are equally popular could easily pitch in as dashing promo boys or girls for Colgate or Carbocesteine Sulmox and even Palmolive naturals and Ensure Milk.
(Readers may reach columnist at sundaypunch2@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/here-and-there/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
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