Leni sa ‘bibig nahuhuli’

THERE is a Filipino proverb which says, “Ang isda ay  sa bibig nahuhuli”. Translated into English: “the fish is caught by its mouth”.  Another way of saying it: “Ang isda’y sa kanyang labi nahuhuli, At ang tao nama’y sa salita’t sabi”. 

The chairperson of the Liberal Party, Leni Robredo, passionately preaches to electorates about vote-buying: “Parati kong sinasabi, tanggapin niyo kasi galing din naman yan sa atin.Yung pinambili ng boto pera din yan ng taumbayan. Tanggapin mo pero ang iboboto mo kung sino yong nasa konsensya mo (I have repeatedly said, you accept [the bribe] for after all that also came from the people. Accept it but vote for the person your conscience tells you). 

Leni who filed her certificate of candidacy for President as an “independent” had her counsel to the voters posted on Facebook and shared by her avid followers. They must have thought that at last, the delivery of her message was a bit flawless. She and her propagandists however overlooked the fact that the import of such a statement speaks of immoral values and condoned what is patently illegal. Thus, “Ang isda’y sa kanyang labi nahuhuli, At ang tao nama’y sa salita’t sabi”.

These personal values contravene all those rosy and popish propositions of certain groups who advance their reasons why they said they support and will vote for Robredo. “Disente at hindi corrupt”.  

But listen to what Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen has to say: “It is wrong to encourage people to accept bribe money during elections. It will make them complicit to a moral wrong and encourage the wrong values. We should encourage dignity, not cheating”. 

We need not add to what Justice Leonen said for it is lucid as it is sharp. Instead, let us contemplate on what our nation will be if we are governed by a leader who condones what laws forbid. What moral values will she teach our youths? What will happen to the bureaucracy? Just asking.