FOREBODINGS & ENTHUSIASMS

By Rene Q. Bas - Manila Times
Omnia in bonum…

One of the many things ordinary people dislike about the Arroyo administration is its perceived refusal to do the most basic things that will make a difference.

This perceived refusal contributes to the unpopularity of the President. xxx

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It is biblically guaranteed that to do right is always rewarded. The often-quoted words are those of St. Paul who said in effect: Omnia in bonum… Everything turns out good for those who love. “Those who love” is a code for “those who do God’s will.” And the Almighty God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, serious believers of these religions know, is the author of the Natural Law. He wrote it in the human heart.

With this guarantee, the Catholic, which the President is, should feel free always to do what is right—no matter who gets hurt. As she said in her last State of the Nation address she is governing and not engaged in a popularity contest.

Now in the luxury-cars smuggling scandal God has given her a new opportunity to do what is right. Our sources at Customs verify the Inquirer’s story that the smugglers at Subic are people close to the President.

Sen. Dick Gordon, an expert on Subic affairs (he was the first official to envision the Subic Freeport before there was talk of the American Navy’s departure), also confirms the story. He is an independent-minded but positive person who will help the GMA administration succeed in those of its programs s that are sure to benefit the people and the Republic. But he opposes whatever will harm the nation.

The President should do the right thing now and give Customs boss Napoleon L. Morales the go-signal to expose—and order Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez throw the book at—the culprits.