The Difference Between Forgiveness and Ignorance

It is a soft, forgiving culture. Only in the Philippines could a leader like Ferdinand Marcos, who pillaged his country for over 20 years, still be considered for a national burial. Insignificant amounts of the loot have been recovered, yet his wife and children were allowed to return and engage in politics. – Lee Kuan Yew

Nothing divides a nation like politics does. You may see Filipinos from all over the world, wearing “Pilipinas” in our flag’s colors, whenever there’s a Manny Pacquiao fight; but right in the heart of our own country, one man – a dead man, is creating discord among our people.

This cannot be more apparent earlier this year, when election campaigns started, and people started “unfriending” in Facebook because of others’ political views/candidates. I admit, there were some who really got into my nerves, but I never unfriended anyone. I was always open to hearing other people’s opinions.

So Duterte won the presidency by a landslide; most people were happy, some were not. Okay, that’s done. Moving forward…

Or backward?

Now, I have never been the type to engage in political arguments, simply because I loathe politics. Not the government, politics. I’m not a rebel, activist, or whatnot. I’m your average law-abiding citizen, happy to merely go with the flow, and live amicably in my own little world. In short, I’m that person who posts pictures of their food and stupid 9GAG memes, okay?! I’m the type who will make light of every dang tragedy.

However, recent events made me lost all sense of humor. What is happening? A plunderer-slash-human rights violator, buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? In a covert ceremony, participated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police? While there is still a 15-day period to file a motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court ruling? Wow.

Seriously, just wow. Imagine a family with that power. Imagine a man who has been dead for 27 years, still influencing a nation. We have to give him that.

I don’t care about the man being buried in the LNMB, per se. I care about the fact that laws and principles were manipulated just to get him there. And for what, a dying wish? Hanggang sa huli, magkagulo-gulo na ang Pilipinas, masunod lang ang gusto nya.

And they have the gall to call for unity and national healing.

This man pillaged the country for 20 years, and still, we put his family back in congress, the senate, and almost the vice presidency (on which some will argue is rightfully his in the first place)!

People are also calling for “forgiveness”. To move on, and concentrate on our country’s progress. Let me tell you this – we can forgive. Really. Even if they did not apologize for what their family did. After all, that’s what being Christian is about, right? Forgiving without the need for an apology. Even if they continue to ensue their power over the government; to contest all courts, national and foreign; to belittle the intelligence of the people by exploiting history… We can, and must forgive.

But must we tolerate this corruption? Must we turn a blind eye on the immorality of this whole scenario? Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and moving forward so our country will progress. Ignorance, on the other hand, is allowing them to do this ALL OVER AGAIN to our country. How can we move forward, if we are stuck in the past? Never mind what the Marcos family has done/is doing. What are WE doing? Why are we allowing them to do this to us? So yes, let’s MOVE ON from the Marcos regime. Let’s leave them behind and NOT make them part of Philippine governance.

Oo, hindi pa ako buhay no’n. Pero buhay na ako ngayon, kaya ayokong mangyari sa henerasyon ko ang nangyari sa henerasyon n’yo noon.

Wake up! Just because you weren’t affected by the storm, doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. Wake the f up.