Will you run for public office?

Will You Run for Public Office?
By Atty. Grace Riñoza-Plazo)

You have until Tuesday, December 1, 2009 midnight to file your Certificate of Candidacy (CoC). I have been praying over it, waiting for God to tap my shoulder or shake my hands and say “Go for it. That’s my order.”

The registration of “Ang Kapatiran Party” (AKP) made me consider running for public office. It is the only political party that is platform-based and upholds the values I cherish—the values of my faith: love of God is love of country; love of God is service to all especially those most in need; love of God is nurture of the earth and of our immediate environment. It is pro-life including the unborn. It is anti- dynasty, pork-barrel, and the politics of convenience, winnability, popularity and heredity. It is against patronage politics. Above all, AKP aims to enrich governance and renew politics with our Christian values, as our faith mandates. AKP is idealistic. Not conservative as many pictures it to be. Idealism is forever and it is the need of the modern times. It is the only way to go. The only way we can start a change for the better is to aim for the highest standards of individual and collective behavior of every Filipino. Pragmatism which breeds corruption resulting to worsening material poverty and moral bankruptcy requires the most powerful antidote—an idealism that is founded on the teachings of our Christian faith. “God is waiting for you to make the first step before God will make a move. File your Certificate of Candidacy and God will give you the Grace you will need. After all, you act is meant to glorify and honor the Lord.” Ang Kapatiran Party candidates may not win unless the people realize the value of principled politics and righteous governance for the common good. It doesn’t enjoy the popularity of the star, it doesn’t have the money nor the machinery of the traditional political parties. They only have the zealous desire to offer themselves to the service of the country with honesty and integrity. And they have the competence to go with their passion. In the words of its presidential candidate, John Carlos (JC) de los Reyes: “We may not win but there is no way we can lose. By running for public office and presenting our platform to the people, we plant good seeds. We may not enjoy their fruits but our children will.” With these considerations, will you run for public office?