The state of the state

State of Emergency. That's the latest hullabaloo in the entire Philippines. State of Calamity. That is in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. The latter is practically forgotten because of the former, even though the former is not as important or as urgent as the latter. There is also the state of poverty. That's also the entire country. State of mutiny. That's Fort Bonifacio last Saturday. State of Fiesta and Merry Riot. That's the general state of politics in the Philippines. State of evacuation, or migration. That's the situation of every college graduate who wants to go abroad, and every nurse, and teacher, and doctor, and engineer, and domestic helper. Stateside. That's the state of politicians who never had it so good in public office.

State visit. That's the favorite pastime of Filipino politicians, as they did in the fights of Manny Pacquiao. They all went to the States.

State of quiet hard work. That's the state of thousands and millions of Filipinos who, not being able to do so much to change this country, just live on in quietness and determination, taking care of their families

State of sleepiness, killing time, and loitering. That's the state also of millions of Filipinos who find nothing worthwhile to do but sit by the streets and stores and billiard halls, playing, and drinking and talking, or just sitting by and watch the world go by.

Oh, the state has many states.

But of course, the most bothersome, the most controversial, the most irritating to come upon us recently is Proclamation 1017, declaring a state of emergency in the Philippines, from which warrantless arrests, "invitation for questioning, warning to media, and threat to business establishments" emanate.

There is one state, though, that is not being declared, and that is the state of corruption in the country. If, for example, a "state of corruption" is only declared, and warrantless arrests, or invitations for questioning are also made, this time, not for rebellion or sedition, but for corruption, how much happier this country would be!

For example, if Joc-joc Bolante is ordered arrested even without warrant, by the President herself, to determine the length and breadth of this so-called fertilizer scam, what an impact it would make on the nation! If "emergency measures" can also be undertaken, like "invitation for questioning" of every suspected crook in high places, what a welcome news that would be!

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State of aggressive hope and help. That's the state of Gawad Kalinga which is relentlessly building houses and communities to help the poorest of our brothers and sisters. Last Saturday, the GK warriors of the Couples for Christ were at the Vista Alegre Granada Relocation Area (acronym, according to the staff of Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, SP Chair of the committee on Urban Poor, is "VIAGRA", a name which the Mayor and the SP however have not adopted as it may not help in the effort to curb population growth).

The GK people were building houses in a portion of the relocation site, and it had to take an American, a certain John Murray from New York, to hoist a Philippine flag there. An American had more love for this country, it seems, than us Filipinos.

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State of sobriety and resolve. That was the state of the people consulted by the Bishop of Bacolod Vicente Navarra last Monday at the Bishop's Palace. The Bishop made a brief opening remarks, which was very well applauded, and let everybody else speak his mind out. There were some differences of opinion, some shades of view, some divergence in approaches and appreciation of the problem (Proclamation 1017 and General Order No. 5, that is), but the Bishop brought them altogether in another well-applauded summation.

The essential points of the summation were: we will not take Proclamation 1017 sitting down, we will confront it. But it has to be in the spirit of peace and respect. We will not be cowed by a refusal to issue a rally permit. We will proceed even if we are warned not to publicly congregate. If they want to arrest us, we will allow ourselves to be arrested. But we will not reward hatred with hatred, disrespect with disrespect.

The Bishop reiterated the "p's" of active non-violence, among which, as far as I can recall, are, pray, part with the evil that you condemn (do not become like it), penetrate the conscience, peace (do it in a peaceful way).

Patriotism. Love of country. By faith in God, by standing up for our freedoms and liberties, by praying for leaders, that God will touch them.

Hopefully, prayerfully, a state of peace and harmony, and justice, and truth, and righteousness, under God, will finally prevail in this land.*