PGMA: The Second Saint of the Philippines (November 13,2007)

PGMA: The Second Saint of the Philippines
by Maria Reylan M. Garcia

Define forgiveness.

The Holy Bible tells of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. A wealthy man had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of inheritance, left the house and spent this irresponsibly on gambling and women. When he had nothing left, he was left feeding on the pigs' food. He realized his mistake, thus went back to his father and was ready to be treated as one of the slaves. When he was reunited with his father he asked for forgiveness. The father prepared a feast for him and welcome him.

The parable had long been associated with the unconditional love of a father to his son, but within the harmony of words blooms a recipe for the most desired dish of our souls --- forgiveness. There are actually four ingredients presented in the story towards brewing the scrumptious fullness of absolution. First, the acceptance of one's shortcomings. Second, the willingness to change. For without the desire to start anew, how can one begin his race to forgiveness. Third, the apology. This marks the promise of cleaning all the dirt done. Fourth, the pardon. This is the part when someone tells you, "It is okay. Let those just be bygones. "
Now, could you grant a person forgiveness even if he did not apologize, or accepted his fault to the very lest? Definitely not. The whole process follows a consecutive chain, where the links have to be detached one by one in consecutive order until a person can ultimately be free. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo skipped the process and treated former President Joseph Estrada's case like nothing happened. How martyr-like of President Arroyo to forgive without being asked to. If you ask me, our President has some plans for her early canonization as the second saint of the Philippines . For the past six years and six months, never did Mr. Estrada mutter a phrase of being sorry for his accused crimes. If I'm not mistaken, he even said in his speech right after he was freed from Tanay, Rizal that he never fooled the Filipino people in the infamous crime of plunder. The Philippines has to fill in the blanks why President Arroyo pardoned him.

I had always admired President Arroyo, she had been strong amid the controversies rocking her administration. Her economic plans are flourishing to new heights, thus our country is peeping out of the shadows. But what she did, I'm afraid was certainly reckless and too shallow of reasons. President Arroyo believes that giving pardon to Mr. Estrada would do him well as he is already in his late 70's and that he has to be with his ailing mother. I would applaud your display of genuine concern to a senior citizen and a fearing son, President Arroyo. Let's say the other eighty million Filipinos committed the same crime the former president was convicted of, and they are in their late 70's and they also have dying mothers, would you also give them pardon?

To forgive is but a noble act, but knowing when to forgive is even nobler. The six years and six months of plain torture of brainstorming amongst the prosecutors, attorneys and lawmakers involved in Estrada's case were nothing after the President's several minutes of speech. Imagine how mathematically impossible six years and six months is to some 10 minutes of speech? I'm sorry President Arroyo, but what were you thinking?

Though it is not in my position to judge, as I may have no legal grounds to do so, but I'm talking about morality here. When I go to confession I have to do a lot of apologies to the priest, accept all my sins and pray the act of contrition before I am forgiven. Why is it you, Mrs. President became more forgiving than the priest now?
I guess my theory is right; our president is planning to be the second saint of the Philippines .
I hope she succeeds.
(For comments and reactions please send an email to reylangarcia@yahoo.com an SMS to 09186363090. Visit my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)