THE EFFECTS of the Martial Law regime persist within society, particularly a penchant by corrupt officials to normalize wrongdoing, said Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., vice rector for religious affairs, in a Mass marking the 53rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration at the UST Central Seminary Chapel on Saturday, Sept. 20.
In his homily, Tiong said the fight against normalizing wrongdoing and moral relativism continues.
“Tapos na pala ‘yan [Martial Law] nu’ng 1972 at saka nag-EDSA 1 na nu’ng 1986, but some of its effects remain with us. And what is that effect? Na ‘yong mali, na ‘yong masama ay pwedeng gawin na bahagi ng buhay natin,” he said.
Quoting the lyrics of “Ang Bagong Pagsilang,” or the “March of the New Society,” which he said was played after the national anthem during the Martial Law regime, Tiong said the song did not fulfill its supposed goal.
“May bagong silang, may bagong lipunan daw, ‘yon pala wala. It was the beginning of a dictatorship,” he said.
He urged students to refrain from muddling good and evil, as disorder would follow, similar to Martial Law, when wrong acts were normalized and institutionalized.
“That was a period wherein talamak na talamak na ‘yung mali, na pwede pala,” he said.
Tiong encouraged the students who could not go physically to the Sept. 21 rallies against corruption to protest in their own way, through prayer and moral clarity.
“If you’re not going, [you’d better] pray very well,” he said.
He also encouraged the youth not to wait until they are old before realizing the consequences of moral decay.
“Gusto niyo ba, by the time na senior citizen kayo, quintillion na ang pinag-uusapan?” he said, referencing the “Trillion Peso March,” which was named after the massive government funds allegedly stolen by public officials and lawmakers.
Artlets Regent Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P., presided over the Eucharistic celebration, coinciding with the Faculty of Arts and Letters community Mass.
The Mass was followed by a candlelight vigil where Martial Law survivor Judy Taguiwalo gave a testimony.
