Speaking ill of the dead; wishing rivals dead

TWO separate events, involving a foreign public figure and local politicians, underscored habits generally condemned but hardly punished during election campaigns.

"Nihil nisi bonum," a priest said in a Lent homily. He could've just said "Speak no ill of the dead" but talking in Latin reminded his flock that he knew Jesus's language.

Margaret Thatcher died last week and many Britons revived songs that flogged her when she was British prime minister:

--(1) a song in the musical "Wizard of Oz" titled "Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead," referring to her as the witch; and

--(2) a line from the song "Merry Christmas Margaret Thatcher" in "Billy Elliot the Musical" which says "...we're celebrating today/because we're one day closer to your death."

It's not just speaking ill of a politician who died; it's dancing over her grave. And at least 30,000 Britons who downloaded the songs cheered the jig.

At least, Filipino culture still condemns that kind of behavior. Even dead scoundrels get support: we're kind to the dead who can no longer speak for themselves. Lapu-Lapu the hero got a stout defense when his battle over homeland was reduced to a spat over diapers.

There's a law that punishes libeling the dead, none about wishing your enemy dead.

Votes

Two politicians complained their rivals spread talks they collapsed while campaigning and were rushed to ICU.

Sheer hate or vicious propaganda. Unless true, it can lose votes for the ill-wishers.

Yes, a rival's death like votes can be wished for easily. Translating it into reality is much tougher.