From a previous blog, we offer some pointers for reflection, personal judgement or decision, and perhaps action later on.

On Silence on the Media

1. Simply, they may not know which I am not inclIned to believe.

2. Could be due to a mild shock or denial so what was decided by the Ombudsman.

3. Aklanons are not savvy to mud-sliding, calumny or slander as it could be wrongly or rightly presumed by many.

4. Or it may be the silence of the Pharisees as to who could throw the first stone of the adulterous woman because they themselves could be guilty of the same crime, in one way or another, expressed by the Ombudsman. It is in this silence that in my previous blog, is considered a sign of reflection, purification which could be an initial step for healing in the political field.

On advocacy for a Lifestyle Check of Aklan Politicians
1. This is something good and politically healthy for Aklan.

2. Moreover it is good to extend it to the advocacy against political dynasty and political patronage.
On the Decision of the Ombudsman.

1. This has to be praised and recommended especially its leadership: Conchita Morales Carpio.

2. Ombudsman is an independent body and should be apolitical so that it could do its job without any influential politician or any other branch like the executive and the legislative. It rightly belongs to the judiciary branch which by all means be as independent as possible.

3. To accrue to the president this same decision is not politically prudent since it tints in a less transparent way the same decision.

On Relativism

1. There is relativism in the present century. No less that the pope emeritus told talked about the “dictatorship of relativism”. This means what what is good and evil are not based on objective standards of morality but on the subjective convenience of an individual or group – “it is good if it pleases me or my group, it is evil when it does not please me or my group”. The standard then is something which is determined by “me or my group”.

2. The church is not sometimes exempt from this attitude. That is why, even its local church leader succumb to the reasons of our previous congressmen towards an objectively immoral RH Bill. Yet the previous bishop suffered from this. The effect then of the Ombudsman decision which is moral, could be a time of reflection and purification on the part of the local church (diocese). It’s silence then is a reasonable explanation of this reflective silence which hopefully lead to healing. (It is also an accepted fact that the present local bishop is claimed to be a relative of the civil local head).

On the growing moral awareness of Aklanons

1. This same decision – although said in whispers in private of public places – could be a space of a growing true moral awareness of what clearly is good or bad, as not based on relativism but on an objective standard of moral and natural law. Morality is something objective not subjective and Aklanons who might have this light of morality and have a good chance to influence the increasing amoral phenomenon towards a moral one. – that there is an objective goodness and badness of an act.

2. There is a need to be aware not only of this creeping relativism in our midst but also on a new form of idolatry: the idolatry of money. One could not serve God the people of Aklan and money at the same time. Government service and politics is at the service, a servant of LOVE for man not to be his masters.

3. Relativism and idolatry of money are increasingly infecting Aklan society and politics. From the highest official to the lowest vendor, corruption is endemic and systemic. We cannot be immune from this bad influence, since we are existing in this world but not of this world.  On the other hand, we should be the ones to influence this relativistic and idolatrous sector of the world towards a world worthy of man and of God.

4. Hence the silence could mean a certain awareness of this evil which, in one way or another, affects all in a personal level and therefore it is not easy to shout or “to cast the first stone.”

Therefore, the conclusion of my previous blog states:

“. . . it is for us to reflect on our personal life and our political life. Enough is enough.  A lot of beloved Aklanons have suffered in silence since what is due to them has not been granted but ended up elsewhere.

This could be the propitious time for self reflection, healing, purification and renewal in our religious and civic life in our beloved province of Aklan. As a people, we could together raise our prayers to God our loving and merciful Father and allow all of us to start all over again – in the right track.”