Robin Hood, Frank Murdock, Joker, and Archie Paray

The writer wants to emphasize again that this nation though known for its religiosity is also known for being one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

From the higher position in politics to local government units or in some churches or even in small organizations, there’s still this practice and tendency of corruption. Greedy behavior and an unjust decision of someone in power, someone in authority, or someone who knows a person sitting on a throne. This is Philippines and there’s nothing more fun here if we talk about greed in money.

Why do people laugh at someone who promises he cannot do corruption? Why do people believe that corruption is now a reality, therefore, anyone who is privileged in authority should grab this as an opportunity?  Who are they? Why put an appetite on money?

If many consider corruption a reality doesn’t mean this is the truth today. Corruption exists but it can never be a truth that we believe as necessary and essential to succeed. If this is how everybody thinks that this thing is natural, that everybody in the office is doing it, and that no saint or someone righteous can put in a cell all the lords here, who would then in authority can stop these happy people from lying in their bed of money? If none, the only persons who could maybe put end to this wicked practice despite their lowliness are the victims. The poor people who are unfortunately not powerful to ask what is due to them, the poor people whose rights are kept inside the pocket of the capitalists, the poor people whose dignities are not recognized even by poor neighbors whose only dream is instant richness.

May this be a reminder to everyone who participates in corruption and maltreatment to those who begged for their voices to be heard, that this nation is for all Filipinos. Let’s not wait for another Robin Hood, a hero who robs the rich and gives the poor, or Frank Murdock, a character in that movie “God Bless America”, who got sick and sane and enforced a justice of his own and killed anyone who was cruel in this world. Let’s not wait for another Joker, Joaquin Phoenix, whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy persons. Lastly, let’s not wait for another Archie Paray, a fired security guard who held hostage dozens of people in Greenhills mall in San Juan City last March 2, 2020, just to reveal how corruptions and shenanigans went through among authorized personnel and officials in the mall. In a nutshell, let’s not wait for another brave victim who sees nothing in his life but risk and sacrifice for the sake of asking what is right for him, or telling what’s wrong with this world.

Rich people can play with rules because they have a lot of money. However, dare not the poor, they can also play with the rich because they have nothing but their lives to sacrifice.

May this be a wake-up call to anyone who participates both in small or big corruption that any poor or maltreated someone in the society can turn into Robin Hood, Frank Murdock, Joker or Archie Paray. Don’t play with rules, it’s like playing with their lives.

May there be peace in this world and peace of mind to everyone. God bless the Philippines!

Edmer John Caballes

Cebu City