In his inaugural address on June 2010, the late Philippine president, Benigno Aquino III (PNoy), said; “My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have travelled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change.” His presidency was goal oriented towards the path of moral and ethical order. No wonder why he made his slogan: “Tayo na sa daang matuwid” (let’s take the road of righteousness). There is no other way to success and victory than taking the right way.
It is not easy to lead a community. We cannot please each member. Those who have experienced leading a community realise that it means sacrifice for the common good; a sacrifice that will bring unity and harmony. We sacrifice our individuality for the good of the community.
The day when our late President PNoy passed away was the solemnity of the nativity of St. John the Baptist. St. John was the precursor of the Messiah, he was preparing the way of the Lord, “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths’” (Mark 1:3). PNoy was promoting a kind of governance: Tayo na sa daang matuwid. It was a difficult vision but he tried to live that motto, leading people to the right way. Because only in righteousness we can bring change to our nation. But that change must start in us, as citizens of our country. Change in our society will never happen if we do not travel in the way of righteousness.
PNoy had a vision of inclusivity. Again, in his inaugural speech he said: ‘Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.’ OFWs are at the edge of the society, but we are not excluded from society. We are part of our Philippine society but we are away from our country.
PNoy had a vision of inclusivity. Again, in his inaugural speech he said: “Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.” OFWs are at the edge of the society, but we are not excluded from society. We are part of our Philippine society but we are away from our country.
Let us practise inclusivity. We are one community. However, regionalism still hinders us from becoming one; from practising inclusivity.
As Christians and disciples of Jesus, our mission is to bring our brothers and sisters to the fold, in the same way as mentioned in the parable of the lost sheep. When one was missing, the Good Shepherd took the risk in searching for the lost sheep to bring it back to the fold. That is inclusivity.
After the term of PNoy, we seldom saw him in public. He was so quiet and silent, as if he was living in the desert like John the Baptist. Now he is in total silence but his silence is so powerful because we remember him as a leader who promoted a way to righteous governance, bringing us together as one so that no one should left behind.
Farewell PNoy! Rest in Peace!
• Father Jay Flandez SVD
