“These specific and concrete calls for action are not isolated and discrete but are precisely interconnected in a framework that seeks to promote truth, accountability and reform.”
by Ducky Paredes
The Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus Commission on the Social Apostolate came out with “Guidelines for Communal Discernment and Action
to Address the National Crisis” on Easter Sunday.
Signatories for this paper are: Albert E. Alejo, S.J., Xavier C. Alpasa, S.J., Anna Marie A. Karaos, Antonio M. La Viña, Jose Cecilio J. Magadia, S.J., Antonio F. Moreno, S.J., Ermin B. Pimentel, Karel S. San Juan, S.J., Benjamin T. Tolosa, Jr., Primitivo E. Viray, Jr., S.J., Peter W. Walpole, S.J. and Roberto C. Yap, S.J.
The “Guidelines” discusses the current situation and what can happen to the country, citing the various possibilities – her resignation, people power. The military solution and so on..
Eventually, the paper concludes with the following salient points:
“It is precisely during times of great upheavals and crises that the call to hope becomes more urgent. Desperation and cynicism cannot be allowed to eat up people’s inner resources. To move forward from this crisis means identifying and pursuing specific forms of action, such as:
“(a) joining circles of ongoing reflection and discernment, and efforts at political education and organization, including training in anti-corruption advocacy and active nonviolence; (b) supporting institutional efforts to get to the truth and creating a broader climate of truth-telling which encourages and protects whistleblowers; (c) joining activities that promote accountability; (d) articulating long-term ideals and policies for national political reform; and (e) establishing sectoral and multi-sectoral organizations and networks to promote dialogue and concerted action.
“Concretely, eight action areas fall within the range of options which are consistent with the principles identified above, especially the need to build strong democratic institutions and promote engaged citizenship for socio-political reform:
“a. Support for the ongoing Senate investigation of the ZTE-NBN case not only to bring out the whole truth on matters of public interest but also to strengthen the institutional system of checks and balances that seek to prevent the abuse of power.
“b. Creation of a credible Independent Counsel , in order to ferret out the veracity of various allegations and promote accountability within the judicial system, in which unfortunately many of the official institutions are seen as severely compromised politically. Thus there is a need for an institutional venue and mechanism that will be viewed as autonomous of the government currently in power and free of the antics of traditional politicians.
“c. Initiation of a genuine impeachment process, particularly by pressuring Representatives in the House to hold the President accountable for serious violations of public trust if there are sufficient bases for doing so.
“d. Pursuit of reforms towards government transparency in all its transactions, especially in processes like procurement, decisions on loans, development projects, social reforms, and on issues such as mining, energy and land use that have a profound impact on poor communities and the environment. There is a need to ensure rigorous implementation of laws and policies, the institutionalization of a culture of social accountability, free access to information, and the enhanced participation of civil society in governance decisions at all levels.
“e. Promotion of electoral reforms to ensure the conduct of clean, honest, and credible elections in 2010, including the revamp of the Comelec, beginning with the appointment and confirmation of commissioners of unquestioned integrity and competence; the modernization of the electoral system; the eradication of warlordism; the monitoring of campaign finance and expenditure; and the continuing political education of voters.
“f. Search for worthy candidates and potential leaders, parties/coalitions and platforms for 2010, through positive preparations, planning and strategizing. This would mean clarifying political values and development priorities, candidate selection and recruitment, resource mobilization, and political organizing.
“g. Organization of and support for basic sectors, to enable them to have a real say in democratic processes and to address the urgent needs of economic development and social justice.
“h. Engagement of the youth in current issues, through political education,
organization and mobilization for democratic institution-building, lobbying for
transparency and accountability, policy reform, and involvement in electoral politics.”
* * *
We can all agree on these points. I am all for espousing the idea of “Special Counsels” where non-politicians are officially appointed to investigate certain matters. Clearly, judicial reforms cannot come about as long as we have judges and justices who will use their offices to enrich themselves with bribes from litigants. Can we rely on their fellow judges and justices to ferret out the truth about a brother in their profession?
Let’s get back to the document: “These specific and concrete calls for action are not isolated and discrete but are precisely interconnected in a framework that seeks to promote truth, accountability and reform. They address gross injustices in the country through active citizen participation that will support and be supported by efforts at political education, organization, mobilization and network-building in order to strengthen and transform democratic political institutions under the Constitution.
“We offer these guidelines as a response to the call of our bishops for ‘circles of discernment’ to ‘pray together, reason together, decide together, act together.’ We trust that these reflections help clarify the context, principles and options for people – especially the youth – who seek to respond in action to the current crisis rather than succumb to the temptations of despair. For as Pope Benedict XVI has said, ‘All serious and upright human conduct is hope in action’ (Spe Salvi 35).”
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hvp 04.02.08)
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