It's this time of year again when I recognize the modern Magi of our times. I must admit, I have been remiss of this annual 'tradition'. I wasn't able to choose one for 2016. So here I am trying to redeem my self. So much for my excuses. Drum roll please...and the winners, in my book, are Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Supt. Byron Allatog.
Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was appointed to the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines in 2001. He was one of the High Court's youngest appointees. Carpio's personal advocacy is "to protect and preserve Philippine territorial and maritime sovereignty specifically in the West Philippine Sea." He figured in the country's successful fight against China over the West Philippine Sea, which, unfortunately the present administration has taken for granted.
As for rulings made by the Court on some controversial issues, Carpio dissented on the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the dismissal of the plunder case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (who, incidentally appointed him to the SC), and the granting of bail on Juan Ponce Enrile on plunder charges (which is non-bailable). I enjoyed listening to how he grilled resource persons during the court hearings on the Marcos burial: sharp and thought provoking.
Recently, an impeachment complaint has been lodged against SC Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno in the House of Representatives. Two SC associate justices and a retired associate justice have given testimonies before the House Committee on Justice. As of this writing, a few more are expected to attend. Carpio has declined to be part of this moro-moro. Gone are the days when justices would shun public gatherings lest it becomes an avenue to influence their judgements. With justices appearing before an investigation, I could just sense the envy in those magistrates to the point that they have subjected the judiciary at the mercy of a co-equal branch of government. Surely, there are still ways of resolving issues within an agency. If there is anyone who should be envious of Sereno it should be Carpio. Being the most senior magistrate, he should have been named Chief Justice. In spite of being bypassed, he remained professional and beyond reproach, dispensing justice according to the dictates of the law even if in a number of SC decisions, he belongs to the minority. Carpio offers us the wisdom of love for country above all else.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was named Archbishop of Manila in 2011. He became a cardinal the following year. A much sought and charismatic speaker, Tagle's motto is "It is the Lord" (John 21:7). Throughout his ministry, first in the Diocese of Imus and later in the Archdiocese of Manila, he was known for his simple lifestyle and his inspiring homilies. In Imus, he was known to be travelling using public ride and inviting the poor to share a meal with him.
Unlike a number of prelates known for their engagement in 'culture wars', Tagle comes across as a progressive man of the cloth. He was more into helping the poor rather than merely talking against (or condemning) the evils of society. Reading through his pastoral statements, I could feel the Cardinal's in depth approach on church and social issues such as the lack of priests, clerical sexual abuse, drug menace, and extrajudicial killings. In his homilies, I could see a pastor who does his best to reach out to the faithful. I could see Tagle as a compassionate father who will walk with his children, not someone who condemns.
While President Duterte has bad mouthed the Catholic Church hierarchy, I haven't heard Tagle being singled out or besmirched like some of his confreres. It seems to me that by the Cardinal's pastoral approach, he has won the respect of people from both sides. Tagle offers us the wisdom of having "the smell of the sheep".
Supt. Byron Allatog became a policeman in 2001 (the same year Carpio became an SC justice and Tagle became a bishop). Prior to his appointment as chief of Bogo Police Station in Central Visayas, Allatog was Assistant Regional Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). He admitted that the government's campaign against illegal drugs has tested his Bontoc roots' belief on the value of life. His directive to his men back then in CIDG and now in Bogo, is to let the suspect live as much as possible. "...if it is not necessary to kill, then why do it?", he once said.
According to reports, Bogo City has not recorded a single killing since Allatog assumed the post in 2016. Also, the city has been recognized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the first city in Central Visayas and the second in the whole country to be drug-free. Still, Allatog and his men continue to be vigilant in their campaign.
His community-based approach aims at empowering people so they will support peace and order efforts. By the looks of it, this law enforcement officer's viewpoint proves that the bloody campaign made allegedly by other policemen is totally unnecessary. That humans, in spite of their many flaws, can still be saved. Allatog offers us the wisdom of respect for life.
At a time when Filipinos are becoming pessimistic with the judiciary, have become lukewarm with the Church, have been unreasonably fearful of law enforcement agencies, have been misled by demagogues, or have grown weary of where the Philippines is heading to, the wisdom shown to us by Carpio, Tagle, and Allatog gives our country a flicker of hope.
