‘He could be the greatest President if…’

By Carolyn O. Arguillas, MindaNews

Last of three parts

DAVAO CITY —

1.  If they really have proof, file charges?
2.  Yes. One thing I think that can contribute to public discourse is a new language.
3. And what is this new language?
4. A language of non-violence because in the statements of people, religious and noneligious, the inner aggression is visible in the wording of the statements, in the way they choose the words.
5.  There is also aggression in the statements of the President.
6.  When I say a new language in the public discourse I am referring to the language of non-violence which is equivalent to unconditional love. But when there is violence in your inner self or internal aggression, it manifests itself in your use of language. Now the words you use reveal the values you believe in and promote. If these values are anti-life, anti-people, anti-church, they will divide, turn off people. They will not create community.
7.  A number of people have been saying Digong’s mouth is uncontrollable now than when he was mayor.
8. That’s what I told you. This is not the Digong I knew. There are many other friends who find it difficult to understand and explain this ‘new Digong’.
9.  But many of those around him apparently can’t tell him he has crossed the line. They defer to him or pander to him.
10. Well, let us help him come up with a new language that does not hide inner aggressions and violent-laden values.
11. He will say ‘you cannot change me anymore’
12. New mouth and new spirit unta. I will tell him nag-ampo kami sa imong mama ngadto sa langit nga tabangan ka.
13. You are praying to the mother also?
14. Yeah. I ask the mother, ‘Unsa man ni? Kung naa ka diha sa uban sa Ginoo nganong gitugutan man ni sa Ginoo nga maingon ani ang imong anak? Or something good will come out of this one?’ Questions ra ni. No answers.

Maybe the thing is in the question… Ang new language karon is how people ask questions so that people can reflect, can take it into heart to respond. It’s not all about hatred, about violence…. Busa akong prayer, goodness can never be erased. It’s inborn. That’s why ang solution is not to kill but to reform. But the secret is how do you reach such goodness?  That’s education, formation of conscience, rehabilitation. That’s where we are maybe deficient.

1. So mamalandong tang tanan ani?
2. Many criminals (come) from Catholic schools. That’s why ako sometimes I go with Digong nga daghan man mga Catholic groups, pari gikan sa seminary taught students who later became oppressors sa mga kabus.. We know that already. We do not have to say that. Problema lang is what is really the purpose why things are happening now? Nothing happens without a reason so ang reason is really our mission to find out through prayer and meditation. And maybe sharing.

Ako I would like to consult the poor people what they truly feel.

1. What is your message to the President on his first 100 days in office?
2. Listen. Listen. Listen. I will tell him. ‘Digong, ang Ginoo naghatag kanatog duha ka dalunggan, usa ra baba’. Which means that we have to listen twice as much as we speak, di ba? But it’s the reverse eh. That’s why we are in trouble… The ears are important. But we should listen not only with the two ears but with the third ear or the heart.  Mao na akongmessage sa iya pero will he accept that? Will he listen to that?

Listening is very, very important. Bisan sa dialogue. Si Estrada said ‘few words few mistakes. No word, no mistake.’

1. There are pronouncements today that his Cabinet secretaries will try to figure out the next day. Or will be denied.
2. Saludo kita sa iyang maayong gibuhat, iyang decisiveness pero mawala ang imong respeto kung puro ‘I will kill you’ lang sa baba niya.
3. But he was also like that here in Davao.
4. Not as bad as karon. Tibuok kalibutan makadungog na sa iya. Sa una, pasagdan lang nato bisan pa mamalikas sya. ‘Digong man gud na, so okay lang siya,’ people would say.
5. In the same speech he said ‘pang mayor lang man gyud ko dili pang big league.’ Senator Gordon said ‘stop talking, the President is so noisy and everytime he says ‘I will kill’ you na-a-affect ang country.’
6. I think Digong is effective in calling attention of people to what he is going to say.

But the problem is, what he says how he says it is turning off people. Instead of calling on them to listen to him —  that’s why he can’t see the contradiction ba — it’s like inviting people to come to you but you turn them off. The problem is if he turns off people, kinsa’y maminaw sa iya? (mindanews)