FORCE OF LAW

Virtue means a quality of being a good member of society. Hence, honesty, wisdom, loyalty, faithfulness, helplessness, integrity, efficiency, fairness and righteousness are virtues.

Singly or in combination, they make the membership meaningful and purposeful.

The problem
1.  There are quite a number in Philippine society who claim to have such virtues. Yet, the constitutional task to build a just and humane society has remained undone and seemingly undoable.

2. The reason is not difficult to discern. The dishonest outnumber the honest; the unwise outnumber the wise; the disloyal outnumber the loyal; the unfaithful outnumber the faithful; the unhelpful outnumber the helpful; the inefficient outnumber the efficient; the unfair outnumber the fair; the unrighteous outnumber the righteous; and those without integrity outnumber those who have.

3. But even if the situation were the opposite, the problem would still be the same. Possession of the cited virtues would not be enough. Why? Because mere possession is passive, not active.

4. Passivity tolerates and abets the corrupt status quo. Thus, passivity is anti-change. It is a built-in mental obstruction to reformist ideals and action. It is inaction, pure and simple.
Comments

5. There are two kinds of lawmakers – the honest and the dishonest. Assuming, but without conceding, that the dishonest constitute the minority, the passive honesty of the others would, and in fact, tolerate and abet corrupt legislation.

6. There are two kinds of law enforcers – the honest and the dishonest. Assuming, but without conceding, that the dishonest constitute the minority, the passive honesty of the others would, and in fact, tolerate and abet corrupt law enforcement.

7. There are two kinds of judicial officers – the honest and the dishonest. Assuming, but without conceding, that the dishonest constitute the minority, the passive honesty of the others would, and in fact, tolerate and abet a corrupt judicial system.

8. And so on with the rest of the virtues.

9. In the end, the system remains corrupt. The hundreds who benefit from it are the winners, while the millions who are correspondingly made to suffer are the losers.

10. The Filipino people must understand that the solution begins from deep within themselves. They must continue holding on to their beliefs which made or make them especially different from the rest of the human race. They must not allow their doubts to overcome their beliefs. They must not believe their doubts.

Conclusion
Those who believe in the natural virtues of the Filipino should draw from within themselves the strength to translate such beliefs into action. This strength is called COURAGE – the virtue which makes the others possible and real.