BY THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – PHILIPPINES CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Posted by Bulatlat
DEMOCRATIC SPACE
Vol. VII, No. 5, March 2-8, 2008
As co-creators of life, we women feel the deep pain of the people’s longing for a just and peaceful nation. From our wombs and our inner beings we bring forth life and we commit ourselves to the affirmation, preservation, propagation and defense of the sacredness of this life.
Corruption contradicts the value of women’s life-giving capacity. Corruption renders meaningless the importance of equal sharing and just management of God’s resources and blessings. Corruption that is perpetuated through the use of the power entrusted upon national leaders is not only an abuse of that power but also an act of plunder.
The anomalous government transaction of the National Broadband Network with ZTE, the subject of the recent expose made by Engr. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., is an affront to the sacredness of life. At a time when young children are dying of hunger and hopelessness, as exemplified by the case of a seven year old girl from a poor community in Rapu-rapu, who died of hunger and malnutrition while preparing to receive her share in a feeding program in school, and by that of a young boy, who committed suicide because of hopelessness when his father was not able to give the P 100.00 he needs for his school project, we see the evil of greed and of love of mammon that are clutching the hearts and minds of our public servants. As women of faith, we ask: “How can the government be so callous, numb and heartless as to enter into anomalous and shady transactions at a time when majority of the people are suffering from extreme poverty and misery?”
Had it not been for the courageous testimony of Mr. Lozada, the people will once again be carrying the burden of paying these onerous deals and transactions with their own sweat and blood, while those responsible for this evil deed freely roam around enjoying the fruits of their shameful avarice. Mr. Lozada’s coming out into the open with the truth ought to encourage and inspire other government officials to also bring into light all that they know about transactions and deals such as this so that the people will finally know the whole truth.
We tender Mr. Lozada our highest support We also offer our support and prayers to his wife and children who are suffering from pressures and harassment coming from the enemies of truth. We, women of faith offer our act of solidarity to the family of Mr. Lozada in their steadfastness for the sake of truth, justice and accountability.
Women, as life-givers, life-bearers and life-nurturers, will never surrender to any attempts to make corruption the “way of life” for public servants. The resources of the nation, be it great or small, should go to the people and to the people alone. These public servants who shamelessly steal the food that our children is about to eat, the educational opportunities that our children have a right to enjoy, the health services that our children are entitled to, and the houses that our children need in order to live in dignity, must be made accountable.
As women of faith, we call on the government to let the light of truth and justice prevail in our land. We also call on our sisters and brothers in the churches and in other institutions to keep aflame our deep passion for Justice and rekindle the fire of courage to stand on the side of the Truth. (Bulatlat.com)
