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My dad told me never to support all-out any election candidate. Just vote wisely and that's it, he stressed. I was fresh out from college then and actively among street marchers protesting against Marcos, and later the US Bases. I reasoned and told him, I wasn't being a candidate fan. I was just after important national issues. I was young, naive and idealistic.
Well, later I discovered his wisdom in keeping away from politics. After all, he wasn't a nationally acclaimed veteran journalist for nothing. He was editor-in-chief of The Philippines Herald in pre-martial law years, a majoy daily that government, politicians and big businesses reckoned with, and later consultant at the national and foreign information of the defunct Ministry of Information. He knew. Nothing's worth marching for in the streets. You risk your life for what? It's important to know the issues and know where you stand--love your country--but fighting for "heroes" and "issues" in the streets will just benefit some unscrupulous politician in the end. They're all the same.
Well, later I discovered his wisdom in keeping away from politics. After all, he wasn't a nationally acclaimed veteran journalist for nothing. He was editor-in-chief of The Philippines Herald in pre-martial law years, a majoy daily that government, politicians and big businesses reckoned with, and later consultant at the national and foreign information of the defunct Ministry of Information. He knew. Nothing's worth marching for in the streets. You risk your life for what? It's important to know the issues and know where you stand--love your country--but fighting for "heroes" and "issues" in the streets will just benefit some unscrupulous politician in the end. They're all the same.
Dad Knew
There's no clean politics. It's all dirty. You may be a real statesman and be unstained by corruption, but politics around you will be dirty and you'd be affected by it one way or another. It's like a white, clean castle with heaps of trash all around it. How can you get around without catching the filth? But you have to go out and get around to be useful and relevant. You do so you get dirty. You don't do so, people accuse you of doing nothing but waste people's taxes on your salary. So, to preserve your clean image, you stay inside and never venture out. Yup, you're clean but useless. You should at least step out to your porch and deliver speeches from a distance.
If you opt to go out and look around, you get the smell of the dumps. You may not have turned into garbage but you get the smell of it. And to people, it doesn't matter if you're not garbage. If you smell it, you're it. Something like, where there's smoke there's fire. The same works for candidate fans. Even if you don't touch the spoils of corruption, fully supporting a crook in politics makes you a full accessory to the crime. You're wearing clean clothes but you eat trash. What does that make you?
I didn't like Duterte during the presidential elections, but I found no one worth trying. I was tired of everyone else and he alone was new blood in the presidential race. So I took a chance. But it didn't mean I was all-out for him. I knew he'd do (and say) stupid things. Being the president, I support his presidency through prayer solely because the bible tells me to, but I criticize the wrongs he does, like indiscriminate killing in the name of his anti-drug war--though pushers caught in the act and killed due to alleged shoot-outs with law men, well, they got the consequence of their deeds. It's GOD's Word saying you reap what you sow, and the one in authority does not bear the "sword" in vain.
I likened Duterte to King Cyrus who the Jews never thought would fit to be God's chosen instrument for their freedom. A pagan who worshiped idols? Why not a Jew? But Cyrus did help them get freedom. It was an unprecedented move of God that time. So, why Duterte even if he didn't fit the job? Even if he cursed or had bad reputation for (alleged) summary executions? Well, I saw he was serious with genuine reforms, though he said it would be bloody. He was a risker, and I like radical riskers. Roxas? Poe? Binay? They've been in national government a long time but showed nothing substantial for it. They've had their chance, but they blew it. They may not be summary execution despots but you also kill innocent people with corruption just the same.
Now, voting for Duterte didn't mean I believed he was a god. Duterte supporters today see him as a god--they love him regardless of what he does, and the wrongs he does are all just misinterpretations by media, they insist. Duterte rabid supporters (even born-again Christians) will maintain that everything he does is good and right. They'd defend and support him till death do them part. Given a choice between a man of God and Duterte saying God was stupid, they'd support Duterte and make fun of the man of God who is defending God's holy Name--as they did Eddie Villanueva. I'm not for that. I won't support anyone who uses GOD's Name in vain, even church pastors. Politicians (and pastors?) are all the same.
His life principle was keep improving yourself intellectually and help people. Period. Later, when he devoted time to reading the bible, he developed a relationship with Jesus, believing nothing except GOD's Word. When we talked, I saw his new life principle--it's GOD's Word or nothing. He read current events (journalism was in his blood) to keep updated but his main conncern was what GOD said in the bible.
Anyway, dad had been telling me: You risk your neck out there so that later, when the dust clears, some unworthy politician takes his seat in Malacanang or in Congress to enrich himself in office. "They're all the same," my dad warned me. I only regret it took me years doing stupid things before I learned he was right. Well, better that than nothing. Yup, politics has an unseen virus that makes all politicians of the same spirit in the end, and affects their avid fans as well. Well, especially them. So DON'T be an avid fan of any "hero" politician. Dad knew well what he was talking about, after many, many decades of covering politicians and officials and interviewing them as a news reporter and later as a head editor of a major daily, even being friends with them (but not allies).
Anyway, dad had been telling me: You risk your neck out there so that later, when the dust clears, some unworthy politician takes his seat in Malacanang or in Congress to enrich himself in office. "They're all the same," my dad warned me. I only regret it took me years doing stupid things before I learned he was right. Well, better that than nothing. Yup, politics has an unseen virus that makes all politicians of the same spirit in the end, and affects their avid fans as well. Well, especially them. So DON'T be an avid fan of any "hero" politician. Dad knew well what he was talking about, after many, many decades of covering politicians and officials and interviewing them as a news reporter and later as a head editor of a major daily, even being friends with them (but not allies).
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All Filth
There's no clean politics. It's all dirty. You may be a real statesman and be unstained by corruption, but politics around you will be dirty and you'd be affected by it one way or another. It's like a white, clean castle with heaps of trash all around it. How can you get around without catching the filth? But you have to go out and get around to be useful and relevant. You do so you get dirty. You don't do so, people accuse you of doing nothing but waste people's taxes on your salary. So, to preserve your clean image, you stay inside and never venture out. Yup, you're clean but useless. You should at least step out to your porch and deliver speeches from a distance.
If you opt to go out and look around, you get the smell of the dumps. You may not have turned into garbage but you get the smell of it. And to people, it doesn't matter if you're not garbage. If you smell it, you're it. Something like, where there's smoke there's fire. The same works for candidate fans. Even if you don't touch the spoils of corruption, fully supporting a crook in politics makes you a full accessory to the crime. You're wearing clean clothes but you eat trash. What does that make you?
You Don't Really Know Them. So Why be Rabid for Them?
This is how Oxford sees the word rabid: "having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something." I don't want to end up like that. I review the qualifications of candidates and choose who to vote. I don't campaign for them because I really don't know them (and I have this natural distrust in politicians, especially those who run for office, even in church). Don't endorse candidates you do not personally and intimately know. Being neighbors with them or being classmates or schoolmates doesn't mean you personally know them. Don't fight for them in debates or arguments, especially on social media. Don't lose friends or families for them. And especially, don't lose GOD. They don't deserve it. And you'd see clearly why in the end. They're all the same.
This is how Oxford sees the word rabid: "having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something." I don't want to end up like that. I review the qualifications of candidates and choose who to vote. I don't campaign for them because I really don't know them (and I have this natural distrust in politicians, especially those who run for office, even in church). Don't endorse candidates you do not personally and intimately know. Being neighbors with them or being classmates or schoolmates doesn't mean you personally know them. Don't fight for them in debates or arguments, especially on social media. Don't lose friends or families for them. And especially, don't lose GOD. They don't deserve it. And you'd see clearly why in the end. They're all the same.
Submit to Authorities
I didn't like Duterte during the presidential elections, but I found no one worth trying. I was tired of everyone else and he alone was new blood in the presidential race. So I took a chance. But it didn't mean I was all-out for him. I knew he'd do (and say) stupid things. Being the president, I support his presidency through prayer solely because the bible tells me to, but I criticize the wrongs he does, like indiscriminate killing in the name of his anti-drug war--though pushers caught in the act and killed due to alleged shoot-outs with law men, well, they got the consequence of their deeds. It's GOD's Word saying you reap what you sow, and the one in authority does not bear the "sword" in vain.
4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.
Romans 13
Don't be Rabid with the Virus
I'm not an avid (or rabid) supporter. I just give him the apt support as the bible tells me I should. GOD's Word is clear--submit to whoever is in authority, crook or saint (though no saint will end up in political power, cause GOD won't allow it. He'd use someone like King Cyrus of Persia or Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, but not a saint). GOD's true saints should be like HIS temple--a house of prayer for all nations. I believe that's how Jesus and the apostles would've done it, too. Just pray. Let the pagans run after those things.
I likened Duterte to King Cyrus who the Jews never thought would fit to be God's chosen instrument for their freedom. A pagan who worshiped idols? Why not a Jew? But Cyrus did help them get freedom. It was an unprecedented move of God that time. So, why Duterte even if he didn't fit the job? Even if he cursed or had bad reputation for (alleged) summary executions? Well, I saw he was serious with genuine reforms, though he said it would be bloody. He was a risker, and I like radical riskers. Roxas? Poe? Binay? They've been in national government a long time but showed nothing substantial for it. They've had their chance, but they blew it. They may not be summary execution despots but you also kill innocent people with corruption just the same.
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The Pro-Duterte Camp Think They're Right
Now, voting for Duterte didn't mean I believed he was a god. Duterte supporters today see him as a god--they love him regardless of what he does, and the wrongs he does are all just misinterpretations by media, they insist. Duterte rabid supporters (even born-again Christians) will maintain that everything he does is good and right. They'd defend and support him till death do them part. Given a choice between a man of God and Duterte saying God was stupid, they'd support Duterte and make fun of the man of God who is defending God's holy Name--as they did Eddie Villanueva. I'm not for that. I won't support anyone who uses GOD's Name in vain, even church pastors. Politicians (and pastors?) are all the same.
The Anti-Duterte Camp Think They're Right
The anti-Duterte camp is no different. They may not be rabid supporters of Duterte but they are rabid no less, rabid supporters of the opposition. Same dogs with a different collar. Support Roxas or Robredo that much? Never. If they'd been voted president, I would've supported them as per the bible's direction, no more no less. And if Duterte had been their critic, I would've criticized Duterte for it. I won't be a puppet or slave of anyone. My boundaries are what God puts as limits in his Word.
The thing is this political virus. Once you catch it, it narrows your perception and insight into things, no matter if you're a statesman, an intellectual or church pastor. If you're a church leader and run for a position and lost, you'd protest and claim you were cheated--like a cranky kid robbed of his toy--as what Eddie Villanueva did. He should've just kept his mouth shut and humbly accepted what God had allowed. When He allows something, it's for your good.
The anti-Duterte camp is no different. They may not be rabid supporters of Duterte but they are rabid no less, rabid supporters of the opposition. Same dogs with a different collar. Support Roxas or Robredo that much? Never. If they'd been voted president, I would've supported them as per the bible's direction, no more no less. And if Duterte had been their critic, I would've criticized Duterte for it. I won't be a puppet or slave of anyone. My boundaries are what God puts as limits in his Word.
The thing is this political virus. Once you catch it, it narrows your perception and insight into things, no matter if you're a statesman, an intellectual or church pastor. If you're a church leader and run for a position and lost, you'd protest and claim you were cheated--like a cranky kid robbed of his toy--as what Eddie Villanueva did. He should've just kept his mouth shut and humbly accepted what God had allowed. When He allows something, it's for your good.
True Saints Should Keep Out
No Jesus believer should run for office. Jesus never did that, and didn't think politics had any place in his mission to love the world and save repentant sinners. Kingdom sense tells you real change will never happen through politics. God's ways and worldliness do not mix. Was there ever a man in history who made a radical difference in the world because he was in public office? If you want to follow in Jesus' footsteps and think the world needs real change, it is NOT through politics. It's through allowing GOD to mold and improve you spiritually and save people through you. Period.
Watch all the political kings in the Old Testament. They all screwed up big time. Even the best of them, King David and Solomon, Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat. It clearly shows why Jesus opted out of it and came as a spiritual King. But many in church cannot see this. It's this political virus that has infected them when they became political without being a solid Kingdom person.
No Jesus believer should run for office. Jesus never did that, and didn't think politics had any place in his mission to love the world and save repentant sinners. Kingdom sense tells you real change will never happen through politics. God's ways and worldliness do not mix. Was there ever a man in history who made a radical difference in the world because he was in public office? If you want to follow in Jesus' footsteps and think the world needs real change, it is NOT through politics. It's through allowing GOD to mold and improve you spiritually and save people through you. Period.
Watch all the political kings in the Old Testament. They all screwed up big time. Even the best of them, King David and Solomon, Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat. It clearly shows why Jesus opted out of it and came as a spiritual King. But many in church cannot see this. It's this political virus that has infected them when they became political without being a solid Kingdom person.
In Short...
To cut it all short, never fully give your all to anyone. Do that only to Jesus. Don't even fully trust your religious leaders because full, rabid trust in man is the mother of all fake religions and cults. Give respect to who it is due but never give your full trust. The bible tells us so:
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
- Proverbs 29.25
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.- Jeremiah 17
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
- Psalm 146.3
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
- Acts 17
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