Reflections for peace and security

BABE'S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

- AMBASSADOR B. ROMUALDEZ

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, and Easter Sunday represents a season of hope and reflection for many Filipinos, especially with the May 12 elections just three weeks away.

Emails coming from many of our readers share their concerns about the "political noise" and the intensity of political feuds, especially in the provinces where clans, siblings or even parent and child, run against each other for the same local position. As one email sender put it, "political rivalries have reached another level with all the things that are happening all over."

Last February, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines already issued a pastoral letter signed by Caloocan Bishop and president of the Bishops' Conference, Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, calling for a "revolution of hope" and urging the faithful to struggle against the idea of hopelessness and instead, strive to find hope in the midst of adversities.

Lamenting against "politics as usual," the CBCP letter nevertheless offers an optimistic outlook, sharing sparks and glimpses of hope seen from "principle-driven leaders who champion good governance," the "idealism of young people and responsible citizens who do not sell their idealism and patriotism," the collaboration between various cause-oriented groups as well as civic, religious and non-government organizations, from ordinary people committed to "sincere service even without recognition or reward" and from those who "stake their reputation, even lives, to fight corruption and pursue justice."