And soon, this year's month of May
Time truly flies so fast, soon it will be May. Not just any other May. This year's May will also find our country and our people with our new leaders. Election day is merely a few days away.
Just as the month of May is one of our hottest summer months, expect the campaign to heat up all the way to election day.
The Trillanes expose of a mayor and daughter's bank deposit is now a very hot issue being pursued by candidates and their supporters or being denied as black propaganda by the supporters of the mayor. One FB photograph of a supporter even asks how a simply-dressed mayor who carries a mineral water bottle in his hand can be considered a millionaire. Supporters of other candidates may also raise the counter-argument – if the hand of this candidate is clear, let him be the one to produce the BPI statement itself, for the sake of transparency which our nation needs as badly as the campaign for peace and order.
Early on, the mayor denied owning any BPI account. Then, the mayor changed his reply and he publicly admitted – ah yes, I have a BPI account but only in thousands.
To clear any doubt among the Filipinos, especially his supporters who believe in his honesty, will the mayor please show soonest the proof of his own contention, that his BPI deposit is merely in thousands, not in millions? Can the mayor also clarify why this BPI account was not declared in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities?
With just a few days left before we vote, are we clear about why we are voting for our candidates?
Truth and transparency are very important qualities we should expect of our next leaders. Sadly, while these are essentials, these are often invisible to the eyes.
Peace and order are important goals for us all but let this drive for these goals be done respectful of individual lives and the right of everyone to a fair trial and justice.
Rights of women, gays, and people with disabilities are as important as the rights of the poor. May the next leaders recognize all and not ignore any of these sectors.
Let us seriously consider candidates with a track record of having provided steady employment to millions throughout the country and security of food supply for our people.
Quality education, from childhood to college, should be accessible to all. Let us have leaders who can inspire our young, our students to do their respectful best for the good of our people and our country.
Let us also vote for those who can truly defend our national security and represent us honorably and effectively in international affairs.
Should we not include in our choice those who truly promote, in words and in deeds, true love and respect for God and His people?
During this campaign, our attention may be focused only on material and human achievements which may be laudable. However, should we not also remind ourselves about the truly essential for our lives?
Believers welcome the Child Jesus during Christmas and during Ash Wednesday, receive the ash and the reminder that our home is finally with God. If so, can we also remember during this election, to vote for leaders who will lead our people and our country back to God, back to what truly matters most for us all – the spiritual, love, honor, truth?
With a few more days left, let us intensify our prayers for God to bless our country with His chosen ones. Let us continue to remain in steadfast faith that His will is best. Let us remember His words in 1 Peter 5:6-7. Let us "humble ourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt us in due time." Let us "cast all our anxiety on him, because He cares for us all."
May is also the merry month of Mama Mary – shall we also pray and ask our Mama Mary to continue to accompany us on election day especially and throughout our journey of faith as individuals, as a people, as a whole nation?
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