The Santo Niño and politicians
We are now in the thick of activities celebrating the feast day of the Santo Niño de Cebu. It's an old ritual dating as far back as the 16th century when Christianity first set foot in this province and in this country. Through all these years homage to the Holy Child has been a regular phenomenon even on ordinary days because the people's need of the Child's help knows no season.
And when the season of his feast day swings around the Basilica Minore where the sacred icon dwells explodes in votive songs and prayers as millions manifest their praises and adoration.
These millions-do they include politicians? They do, but only a few. All politicians have a soul, of course, but only a few realize the relevance of the Santo Niño to their personal spirituality. The reason could be failure to understand the ways of the divine and to internalize these. For example, the Santo Niño, being Jesus himself, teaches us about love, love of God and love of our fellowmen. As Christ's followers we profess our love of God usually articulated through regular attendance at the Holy Mass and other religious functions. We also assume that we love our fellow human beings and endeavor to serve them in one way or the other.
What about our current breed of politicians, does love of God vibrate in their hearts? Do they love their fellowmen, their fellow Cebuanos or fellow Filipinos? If they are asked about this, their answer would of course be strongly positive. But like many of us love to them is more of an idea and less of something conspicuous. It is something abstract not concrete in terms of action and deed.
This explains why those who run our government, national or local, can be always seen rubbing elbows with the moneyed and the elite and very seldom with the lowly and the deprived. The latter are very much in need of the politicians' love and concern. But the politicians don't need them except during elections for their electoral support. That's why most government policies are less friendly to the needy but more favorable to the better served groups. That's why most of these tend to be bias towards the interest of capitalists, "hacienderos" and taipans because these are the very sources of political strength and influence.
At times pro-poor laws are cranked out by our lawmaking bodies. But vested interests including those of the politicians themselves are quick to sabotage such laws to maintain the status quo. Look what happened to the land reform law. In its initial stage thousands of small farmers became land owners themselves. But lack of funds forced many of them to mortgage their lands to the original owners who eventually recovered possession of their property. Look at Hacienda Luisita in Luzon. Its thousands of tenants were issued shares of stocks instead of shares of hectarage, a scheme which circumvented the legitimate design of land reform law. But since the hacienda is owned by the powerful Cojuanco and Aquino families, this arrangement has been left untouched despite court actions against it.
If only those hapless farmers would pray to the Santo Niño to soften the hearts of the landowners concerned, their problem can be solved. And looking at the plight of some 30 million Filipinos who claim to be poor–if only they would pray heartily to the Holy Child to send us conscience-driven politicians who would seriously and sincerely strive to bring better quality of life for them, a bright future awaits all of them.
Santo Niño and politicians, they are not contradictory to each other. In fact, we know of politicians whose devotion to the Holy Child is bone-deep and whose track record in terms of service to the masa is exceptional.
As we lift on hearts to the Santo Niño during his feast day this year, let our collective petition be to send us more love-inspired and dedicated politicians.
- Latest
