Many Filipino citizens including media personalities have
observed and commented on the unabated rise of criminality involving those who
are tasked to implement the laws of our land. This clearly indicates that there
is something very wrong with our criminal justice system. Indeed, we agree with
this observation.
Many say that the processes of recruitment, appointment and
promotion processes of those in government pillars of the criminal justice
system are defective. This is also true.
There is inability to check way ahead of time the character
flaws of those placed in positions of power or if there will be change in the
character of those given power. This is also correct.
Many correctly observe that patronage politics, the
bata-bata, padrino and the palakasan system are major factors for the weaknesses
in the justice system.
Many social-media commenters appear completely hopeless,
saying that there is no more chance for this country to change and develop.
Many claim that we are doomed. Many have become bashers and ultra-cynical
against everyone especially those in government.
We, at the Transformative Justice Institute, remain hopeful
and grateful. We still interact with the many Filipinos who believe that ‘fear
of God and the right values’ if present
among those who are in charge of governing us, will lead our country’s transformation for the better.
We are still fully convinced that most people in government
especially those tasked in the administration of justice can turn into new
beings who will abide with the Rule of Law, if their hearts and minds and
consciences call.
In trainings that TJI
conducted, we asked participants to express how they feel about certain
teachings of Jesus Christ like the one in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of
those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One
who can destroy both soul and body in hell’. Participants respond that the same
teaching is very empowering. They say that this kind of teaching and admonition
is important for them, especially the heads of offices to bring them to their
senses.
There are two inspiring stories in the Book of Luke which we
use in our trainings. The stories are of two men who were lost for a while but
eventually mended their ways and were transformed.
The first story involves the prodigal son who squandered the
money of his father. When he ran out of money, he found himself eating food
that he thinks is not fit even for the servants in his father’s household. He
repented, went back to his father and begged for forgiveness. His father
forgave him. He changed and became a better person.
The second story involves Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Luke
19:1-10 tells his story,
When Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through, Zacchaeus
was there. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and wealthy. He wanted to see
who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he
ran and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that
way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him
‘Zacchaeus come down immediately, I must stay at your house today’. So he came
down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be
the guest of a ‘sinner’.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Here and now I
give up half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out
of anything, I will pay back four times the amount”.
Jesus said to him “Today salvation has come to this house,
because this man too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and
save what was lost”.
Considering the intertwining
culture of corruption patriarchy and impunity in our country, so many of us
could have been lost yet seeking to be found. It is important to repent and
commit to mend our old ways for the sake our country and our people. We can all
copy the exampleship of the prodigal son and Zacchaeus.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, PNoy, loves to quote
the ‘tuwid na daan’ mantra. In Matthew 7: 13 and 14, Jesus said, “Enter through
the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the
road that leads to life, and only a few find it”.
We need to popularize the call for Values and Spirituality
to be embraced by those tasked in the administration of justice especially
those who pass judgment. What we discuss here are the Christian teachings
because that is what I am familiar with. Besides that, most government
officials especially those in the Judiciary profess to be Christians. Once they
practice the teachings of Jesus change and transformation can happen.
I am aware that Islam also teaches uprightness and many of
the Muslims I know are good leaders. There are many good Shari’ah court judges
who also abide with the tenets of their faith and are able to serve well and
uphold their sworn duties.
When justices, judges, prosecutors, lawyers and law
enforcers and all those tasked in the
area of law enforcement and implementation are straight and compliant with
their functions, sworn duties and responsibilities, justice and peace will
reign in this country.
Psalm 1 verses 1 to 6 states:
Blessed are the persons who do not walk in the counsel of the
wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But their
delight is in the law of the Lord, and on God’s law they meditate day and
night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water which yields
its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prosper.
Not so the wicked. They are like chaff that the wind blows
away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the
assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the
way of the wicked will perish.
Dory Cruz Avisado
9-12-14
