Principles of Justice and the Best Teacher in Comparison to Experience

4 MIN READ

I salute the noble objectives of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). In my country, I know of commissioners in the CHR who are impartial and stand by their principles and integrity. They deserve the highest commendation for it is due them.

(Romans 13:7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

To be impartial and equitable in the disposition of a case while someone is surrounded by threats and influence peddlers, more so, if these influence peddlers are holding high positions in government is not a very easy task to do.

A person who does not steal can not out rightly be tagged as honest and not a thief. An honest person (and not a thief) is someone who does not steal even when there is a chance to do so. A person who stands in the principles of justice even under pressure is a just person.

I know that this has been the situation of those who handled my petition in the CHR-NCR who decided in favor of me against a government official whom they found out to have violated my human rights. For this and their effort I pray that they may be rewarded by the Almighty.

To give honor and praises to whom they are not due is the highest of folly that a man may commit.

(Proverbs 24:24) He who says to the wicked, ” You are innocent, ” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations… RSV

(Proverbs 15:5) To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment. ASV

But my appreciation is coupled with pity and sympathy to these people of integrity and courage in serving true justice.

The Commission on Human Rights in my country can not prosecute those they have found to be guilty of violating human rights. The process is for them to recommend the filling of a case against an erring official to the Ombudsman. An Ombudsman, although, regarded as an independent official is appointed by the President. If the office of the Ombudsman will dismiss the petition of a complainant, the toils of the CHR are almost wasted. If the person complained of is appointed by the President; and the Ombudsman is also appointed of the President, can you guess what will happen to the complainant?

Experience is a good teacher; but the Lord of the Bible is the best!

(Job 9:24) The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

Many countries of the world are plagued with corruption and injustice. Corruption can not emanate from ordinary citizens. They come from corrupt officials and leaders.

(Micah 3:11) Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.” NASB

But the true faces of corrupt leaders are hidden from the people because of their earthly wisdom and intelligence.

(Ecclesiastes 8:1) Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his countenance is changed. RSV

But no amount of make-up, wisdom, or hypocrisy can hide the true being of corrupt leaders from someone who knows the wisdom of God in the Bible. Mounting evidences will be easily discerned by the able guidance of the best teacher!

(Proverbs 29:2) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Unrest and discontent are symptoms of a prevailing culture of corruption in any government.

(Proverbs 29:2) When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. ASV

Sighs and mourning of people will definitely determine the cause of the illness in society.

Although in the religious sector, I have been in media for the last three decades. I have mingled with the best and known personalities in media. I have been a guest in almost all kind of television and radio programs. It was not until now, very recently, that I have known that media men covering some ‘political developments’ were tied like pigs by authorities. I am lucky I was not there. In my opinion, this is another violation of human rights, especially of press people, but I can not advice them to file a case with the Commission on Human Rights because they might experience my good teacher. It certainly will not be a pleasant experience. Our only hope for true justice is in the judgment seat of God.

(Ecclesiastes 12:14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Somebody told me, that somebody (maybe a false apostle) who commented “…pinakawalan na sila, hindi sila pinaylan…” (“… they were freed and were not charged”); I heard what he said, “I sympathize with you. I pity you if you do not feel pity for yourself because what you have said must not be said by a person of an expected caliber that others presume you have.” To this I say, “No comment.”

But the Bible has this to say:

(Jude 1:10) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

To our people in media, next time don’t be too close in covering any event, your braveness might bring you to jail. It is good if you would be like Enoch.

(Hebrews 11:5) Enoch walked with God. Then he couldn’t be found, because God took him from this life. NIRV

Sincerely in Christ,

Brother Eli