Polibiz
Gloria, the survivor
Capital punishment has been a never-ending moral issue since time immemorial.
The Catholic hierarchy and other pro-life advocates would stick to their beliefs that only God has the right to take life away from us mortals. At the end of the day however, what belongs to him, must be given back to him the same.
Others would say "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," a dictum commonly uttered by the oppressed seeking for justice as they are not given a fair verdict from the court.
I am also in quandary which school of thought I must adhere to. Must I ask for the blood of the culprit for causing the life of someone? Must I leave it to the court of law to decide on the suspect's freedom if the price is right? Or shall I take the law in my hands myself?
The recent pronouncement of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo favoring to commute all death penalties to life imprisonment has somehow given me enlightenment as to which course of the road I would take.
Being a devout Catholic it was against her conscience to allow death penalty during her term, admitted Gloria.
Even at the start of her term while still a senator in the early 90s she would rather abstain herself in voting for the resurrection of the capital punishment so as not to disappoint pro-life and those belonging to the other side of the fence.
When the president recently declared publicly seeking for the permanent abolition of the death penalty, varied reactions are came out.
While others rejoice, a small fragment of the population as well made a condemnation accusing Gloria a devil for giving the prisoners scheduled for execution another chance to live.
But it was purposely in this essence Gloria made a decision not to pursue the death penalty to give the sinners a chance to live a new life.
But escaping the penalty of death does not mean freedom to join the mainstream of a free society. Having commuted to life imprisonment is still tantamount to living a hellish situation. Eventually one may be given a pardon due to old age and frees himself from the cold iron bars. Then what?
The long years staying behind bars for commission of a crime can never compensate the remaining years to make amend. It could be another battle for someone longing for the lost freedom.
Getting in touch with people whom you've never met before for decades, or for generations, is just like being born again worst than languishing inside the jail. Someone could have even wailed regretfully in pain, "better for me not to be born again."
A new life, a new beginning, a new interaction outside the "cage" from bondage is actually a new road for another Calvary. It may serve as the last one to trek before reaching the final judgment to eternity.
So who says escaping the death penalty is a blessing in disguise or manna from heaven deserving to the potential candidates for execution?
On the contrary it's just another way to prolong the agonies of the prisoners.
The wisdom of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is beyond reproach.
She does not have to please nor court the religious sector in exchange for their support to what she is advocating for--a change in the new form of government.
One thing I am definite to happen... La Gloria will finish her term until 2010 without hitch.
The quality of a great and courageous leader is within her. She is no push-over. She can be blunt and sarcastic without being apologetic. She has focus, a vision and an inherent mystic character not found in her predecessors.
She is Marcos, Cory, FVR, Estrada rolled into one.
Gloria eventually has masterfully assimilated these qualities needed for someone to survive amidst the political turmoil.
Gloria is indeed a survivor!