After election, be a peacemaker
“DITO sa Pilipinas,” someone remarked, “walang natatalo — nadadaya lamang” (In the Philippines, nobody loses — only cheated).
Is it a defense mechanism to save one’s face instead of accepting defeat?
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A losing candidate may file a formal protest before the Comelec if he believes he was cheated.
Obviously, that’s not easy to do. However, if there are indeed substantial proofs to prove serious irregularities, then go ahead.
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But consider this: The wheel of justice in the country moves at snail’s pace. In some cases, when the lawsuit is resolved, it’s already the end of the accused politician’s term and for many, the resources have run dry.
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BE HEALERS, PEACEMAKERS. After the national barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections, let us all be reconcilers and peacemakers. Instead of adding more fuel to the hatred and conflicts of people, our task is to heal wounds and promote peace at all cost.
Jesus Christ said, “You must be a lamb among wolves” (Lk 10,3). Further, he said: “A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”
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There’s a haunting song which goes, “Lord, Heal Our Land.” But to have healing, it’s not enough to sing its beautiful lyrics or pay peace with lip service. We must exert effort to get rid of the root causes of conflicts, particularly revenge or lack of sportsmanship.
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Or, there’s no peace if losing candidates give in to the unfounded feeling they were cheated or refuse to accept the reality they lost.
We pray with St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith…It is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
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GOOD SAMARITANS. While walking in Makati, Gaudencio “Denny” Palafox, brother of the world-famous architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. suddenly collapsed and died due to cardiac arrest.
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Seeing his grave condition, two strangers rushed him to the nearest hospital, where doctors examined him. Architect Jun, a buddy and former SVD seminarian, texted me to say how deeply inspired he was by the gesture of the Good Samaritans — more so because the wallet and cell phone of his brother were not touched.
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“We want to know who were those good honest people in order to thank them personally,” he added.
The Good Samaritans may reach Jun Palafox at the Loyola Memorial Chapel in Makati, near EDSA where the wake of Denny Palafox is held.
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THE LIGHTER SIDE. Only in the Philippines—due to fear that the ballot boxes in a hot spot in Mindanao will be stolen, they were loaded and transported to the municipal hall in an AFP tank!
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Because the poll watcher teachers were afraid to do their work under threat of goons, the police officers took over.
I hope that the losing candidate will not file a protest over the “unlawfull” poll officials.
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In one barangay in Nueva Ecija, two candidates garnered the same number of votes: 343. To break the tie, they agreed on a toss coin. There were cheerers on both sides, but only one won. Funny but true, there’s “cara y cruz” in election!
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ST. JUDE. Today, join our novena to St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible, at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. mass.
A healing prayer and anointing of the sick will follow.