Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
| The core message underlying the Moral Renewal Movement that I am advocating may be stated as follows. A. Reconciliation and Moral Values Historically, the The repressive Martial Law era from 1972 to 1986 resuscitated the Communist Party of the Philippines with its armed component, the NPA, in Luzon and the Visayas; while a rebellion by the Moro Liberation Army under Nur Misuari broke out in Southern Mindanao. After the ouster of the dictator, President Corazon Aquino and President Ramos both undertook in earnest negotiations with the leaders of the insurgents with the end in view of achieving lasting peace. Leaders of the Communist Party were released from detention by order of President Aquino; while Misuari and his army of rebels surrendered and were later integrated into the Arm Forces of the With the dismantling of the Moro Liberation Army and with the failure of the national government to address the grievances of the Moslems in southern Mindanao, a new group of insurgents, the MILF, took up arms for the avowed purpose of establishing an independent Moslem state of Mindanao. The armed struggle continues to this day, although there are on-and-off peace negotiations between the government and the rebels. These experiences have taught us to understand the root cause of the insurgency problem of our country and the imperative need to resolve the problem through peaceful negotiation and reconciliation and implementing a meaningful social justice the common good, particularly for the benefit of the poor and the marginalized. For it is not good for Filipinos to be killing Filipinos. The process of reconciliation and nation building, across cultural, ethnic, religious and political lines, underlines the moral character of the Filipino nation. B. Moral Renewal The Constitution of the C. Sustaining Moral Communities The building of moral communities is a necessary requirement for the fight against immoral behavior in our communities and public institutions. We need to build vigilant communities which can identify potential acts of immoral behavior in government and in private institutions and refer these to legitimate institutions with a mandate to deal with such issues. |
Objectives of the Moral Renewal Movement
To provide an opportunity to diagnose the past and the present state of the moral crisis in the Philippines;
To reflect on strategies and measures to reconstruct the social values of Philippine society;
To facilitate the evolution of a dynamic mass movement to help and support thegovernment-civil society initiative in planning an effective program of action for the renewal of our society;
To strengthen the foundations of our hard-earned freedom.
Mission, Vision, Values and Operating Principals of the MRM
As proposed, the Moral Renewal Movement (MRM) will be a powerful rallying cry for the transformation of Philippine Society. It will lay out a clear vision and mission. Underpinning this philosophy are inherent values which will govern the overall MRM process.
The Movement has a vision and dream where all Filipinos can live and prosper in a fair and just society as people learn the value of compassion.
I propose that the MRM be spearheaded by a non-stock, non-profit foundation to be formed by all relevant sectors of society, i.e., government, business, civil society, educational institutions, churches and NGOs.
The MRM is about:
- How the ideals of the Movement and fundamental principles are to be communicated, understood and embraced by every Filipino;
- How we are to learn and teach moral values inherent in our culture, religions, traditions and institutions;
- How values enshrined in our Constitution and in our age-old culture are to be taught, encouraged and cherished by every Filipino in order to forge a common identity as a proud nation.
Vision
The MRM strives for a healthy, caring and harmonious society guided by basic human values, in line with the Constitution and our age-old culture, with particular reference to family, community, spiritual and socio-economic development.
To facilitate, encourage and co-ordinate programs in every sector in society as we work towards restoring the moral fiber of our nation.
Values
In pursuit of this Movement the MRMP will value:
1. Compassion
2. Responsibility
3. Justice and the rule of law
4. Patriotism
5. Material and spiritual prosperity
6. Honesty and integrity
7. Self-worth and character
8. Creative information
9. Truthfulness
10. Trustworthiness
Operating Principles
The MRM will operate on the following principles:
- Partnerships
- Participation
- Good Stewardship
Overall Objectives
- To develop strategies aimed at restoring social values in our democracy.
- To encourage a dynamic mass movement that will support government and civil society, as they put into practice a plan of action for the renewal of our commonly held values.
- To promote national advocacy for the creation of an ethical, caring and corrupt-free society.
Charter 0f the Moral Renewal Movement
We have crossed the historic bridge from inequality and conflict to a society grounded in common citizenship and in pursuit of equality. We reflect on the diverse journeys and cultures that have brought us to liberation and democracy, and commit ourselves to those ideals and ethical values that unite us in our diversity.
Within this common commitment, born in struggle, dedicated to the healing of past wounds, affirming the dignity of all, and in pursuit of the social and material security of our people, we pledge ourselves to defend and uphold the values contained herein. We do so recognizing that our future is dependent on the protection of the environment and the welfare of all who live within the borders of our country.
Committed to our age-old culture and the principles which underlie our democracy and our Constitution, we dedicate ourselves as a nation to:
Respect of Human Dignity and Equality
Our Constitution affirms that human beings are born free and with equal dignity.
We commit ourselves to:
1. Respect the worth of all individuals, irrespective of social origin, religion, gender, age, status and class.
2. Fight against the physical and emotional harassment of women that result in any form of abuse.
3. Eradicate the abuse of children brought about by malnutrition, child labor, drug trafficking, pornography and prostitution.
4. Care for all who are weak and disadvantaged: the poor, the aged, the disabled, and all those unable to care for themselves.
. 5. Oppose any form of physical, emotional, and/or psychological abuse or ill-treatment of another human being.
6 Overcome the abuse of status, custom, culture, gender, sexual orientation, health-status, or tradition that leads to discrimination against another.
7. Work for the physical security and protection of all people.
Promote Freedom, the Rule of Law and Democracy
Individual freedom within the rule of law is the basis of justice, fairness, nation-building and good governance. We commit ourselves to:
1. A sense of social responsibility by respecting the rule of law, honesty, hard work and set standards of ethical decency.
2. Fight against all forms of crime, corruption and violence.
3. Strive for national unity and the indivisibility of the Republic.
Improve Material Well-being and Economic Justice
The socio-economic rights that are part of our Constitution must be seen as more than mere inspirational rights. Policy and programs are needed to provide the poor with opportunities to achieve human dignity and material well-being. We commit ourselves to:
1. Overcome the entrenched inequalities of the past and present, and to promote opportunities for everyone to share the resources of our country.
2. Oppose greed, selfishness and undue self-enrichment at all times.
3. Overcome corruption, whether driven by personal gain, dishonesty, favouritism, nepotism or other motivations.
4. Foster transparency in government and business through timely, accessible and accurate information on all matters affecting public life.
5. Ensure competent and fair management and employment practices.
Enhance Family and Community Values
Family and community are core socializing units that inspire and create the moral and ethical values in society. We commit ourselves to:
1. Promote family values, fidelity, responsibility, respect for parents and elders, nurturing of children, support for the elderly, and the development and maintenance of the household.
2. Fight against domestic violence and the neglect of family responsibilities, whether due to do substance abuse, cultural belief or gender discrimination.
3. Cultivate a family and communal environment that promotes a culture of care and generosity.
4. Use resources efficiently and equitably to the benefit of all family and community members.
5. Benefit others as well as ourselves through personal growth and acquisition of skills.
Uphold Loyalty, Honesty and Integrity
Loyalty, honesty and integrity are the essential values of democracy and good governance. We commit ourselves to:
1. Interact sincerely, openly and honestly.
2. Promote and encourage good relations, mutual trust and social coexistence across the historic divisions that characterise the past.
3. Use the judicial system to punish all forms of criminality.
Ensure Harmony in Culture, Belief and Conscience
The Filipinos ethnic diversity has the capacity to inspire and enrich a culture and value system that can sustain the values embodied in this Charter. We commit ourselves to:
1. Promote freedom of conscience, religious tolerance and the acceptance of different ideological persuasions without prejudice or favor.
2. Promote independent critical thinking and a culture of participatory debate.
3. Promote respect for the beliefs and value systems of others.
4. Promote the right of every citizen to give expression to his or her views without fear of censure, intimidation or harassment.
5. Oppose all forms of prejudice, whether individual, corporate or through membership or association with an organization that undermines the integrity of others.
6. Promote equal opportunities for all persons including disabled people and those suffering from diseases.
Show Respect and Concern for all People
Respect, care, hospitality and concern are among the pre-eminent values characteristic of the Filipino people. We recognize that there can be no peace or security without respect and care. We commit ourselves to:
1. Refrain from using derogatory language and abusive labels in our interactions with others.
2. Promote peace, friendship, tolerance and national unity among cultural, religious and linguistic communities.
3. Show respect to all individuals and social groups.
Strive For Justice, Fairness and Peaceful Co-Existence
Peaceful co-existence requires justice, fairness and mutual respect as a basis for national reconciliation. The healing of past prejudices and divisions is required to ensure the promotion of democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights for all. We commit ourselves to:
1. Counter aggressive and rude behavior with respect and understanding.
2. Oppose individuals and groups that seek to disturb the peace, stability and security of the nation through prejudiced and/or undemocratic behavior.
3. Provide social and other services in an impartial, fair, equitable and unbiased way to all people.
Remembering the hostilities and prejudices that characterized our past, we recognize the fragility of social relations in our democracy. This requires the affirmation of such set moral values to which all peace-loving Filipinos can aspire as a basis for reaching out to one another in the spirit that gave our nation birth –- knowing that the Philippines belongs to all Filipinos.
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