Dear mindful readers,
I must apologize but I wish to dispense of my usual bright and sunny mood setting salutations. These past few months have been emotionally and psychologically draining but not to worry, I will not bore you with personal woes and struggles since that’ll be utterly dreary and mundane.
When my mom passed on December 11 last year, I felt the most piercing pain of my entire life. I lost my rock, my shield, my number 1 supporter and cheerleader, my warm and comforting embrace in the face of every adversity that left me with life lessons and realizations. She was 94 years old, very much loved, respected and emulated for her kindness and generosity to the family, her friends, her patients, and the entire community. We were but a simple, average, middle class family. Dad was a businessman and mom was a philanthropist family physician. Growing up, we enjoyed unadorned pleasures. Weekends were always family time – church, movies, mall strolls, dining at noodle houses, fun games at arcades etc. My happiest moments though were undoubtedly when visiting my grandparents who were just as sweet, lovable and caring to the core. Indeed, we were a perfectly imperfect family who just overly adored, loved, respected, and cared for our elders, the foundation and pillars of our clans.
The rollercoaster of political events that have unfolded during the past few months, in particular the arrest of a well-loved and honored icon of discipline and change shocked Filipinos around the world. Regardless of whether one is for or against his style of management, political orientation and the method employed to implement policies, the glaring fact is that HE IS AN ELDERLY CITIZEN of the Republic of the Philippines! His advanced age had obviously taken its toll physically and the man is clearly suffering from glucose bombs and heart mishaps. He was a former President of the Philippines whose battlecry to rid the country of drug addiction, the debilitating disease of the society that destroyed families, relationships and everything that it touches, even catapulted him to presidency through a landslide victory.
I am not a lawyer nor a Juris Doctor so I dare not delve on the legalities of the situation. I speak only as bonafide Filipino citizen, a daughter, a mother, a spouse, a public servant and plainly, a human being.
Whether the former leader erred in the implementation of his “drug war” policy in his pursuit for a drug-free nation, is a matter for the national courts to decide as a citizen of this country and as a former leader of the state, though this is now moot and academic with his detention in a foreign land. But as with any Filipino citizen, who is very much a part and element of “the state” and protected by the Philippine Constitution, his rights were clearly trampled upon during his apprehension. To me and to millions of Filipinos who witnessed such grueling display of force done to a beloved and globally supported leader who is CLEARLY very weak, feeble, finds it difficult to stand and walk even at short lengths, is a blatant violation of Republic Act 6713, formally known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. This law emphasizes the principle that public office is a public trust, requiring officials to act with responsibility, integrity, and loyalty. It also calls for public servants to treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their background or circumstances, and without any form of unfair discrimination.
Huwag na tayo lumayo. Such condescending act of brute force to an elderly person speaks very ill of the arresting officer’s character and upbringing. As a high ranking officer of the institution one represents, we must remember that we are setting an example for junior personnel to emulate. The stars on a uniform will never shine brightly if we trample upon the most basic rights of the citizenry whom we swore to serve and protect.
When we enter public service, we accept everything that comes with it – its principles, required norms and conduct, expected behavior and everything in between. Any and all aggressive display of excessive and brute power shall be construed as a glaring, unacceptable and grave violation of every fiber of the uniform we represent and what the Filipino culture of “respect for elders” embodies.
Time flies so fast. Soon, our bodies will also fail and every bit of the life we painstakingly built and the reputation we fought so hard to attain will come flashing before us. And when that time comes, we hope to be treated with courtesy, love and respect regardless of the circumstances, don’t we?
Likened to a movie that narrates life moments of any living being, I ask, what kind of film art will we take center stage then? A romantic-comedy? Love story? Science-fiction? Horror perhaps? Or one where our audience will curse and spite us for the devious role we played in it?
What legacy do we leave to our children?
What kind of person do you wish to be remembered?
Remember kaibigan, “What goes around comes around.”
Love and light,
Iamempress22