OPINION | To Forget is to Forgive (Even If It’s Just For A Day)

The Philippines is known for many traditions that intrigues the attention of not just Filipinos but also the whole world. One of these traditions is the Filipino Christmas celebration. Known to be the country to celebrate every year’s Christmas the earliest, Filipinos start celebrating in September and end in December called the ‘Ber-Months.’

But for a country that’s also known to have a tradition full of love, joy and hope, this year’s Christmas is a lot different than the past years. With corruption scandals, injustice, territorial disputes and many more problems — this year’s celebration almost feels non-existent.

Billions of pesos were robbed off from the masses by contractors, engineers and officials from not just the Department of Public Works and Highways but also other departments of the government. And to this date, the biggest names involved in the scandal have not been jailed. If Christmas is supposed to feel full of love, corruption hinders that from happening.

Furthermore, victims of the Duterte administration's bloody drug war are yet to be given justice. Although the Duterte dynasty’s patriarch, Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the former President of the country, has been arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC), victims continue to scream for justice alongside their families because his daughter — Sara Duterte — the current Vice President, continues to defend her father’s name and use her position and power in terrible ways. If Christmas brings joy, then it should also bring justice — a thing clearly absent from our justice system.

Our dispute against China over the West Philippine Sea should also not be forgotten. After countless court battles, China’s government continues to threaten our waters and sovereignty. Even with the fact that the United Nations already favored us in the court battle over the Sea, China continues to do illegal activities above our waters. While Christmas certainly brings hope, this battle must end and the WPS must be ours – as it has always been. It’s about time hope can be turned into a reality.

Moreover, different sectors are still under constant threats by the state itself. Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) drivers are still under the threat of inhumane modernization, the education sector still faces an educational crisis, while the labor sector is to this date neglected of the ₱1200 peso daily living wage. The state itself is the architect of all of this and Christmas inside a country being governed by these types of officials is always terrible.

Some will say that these issues should be forgotten and be set aside just for a day because it is Christmas — but this thought must never be tolerated. Victims of corruption, injustice and fishermen constantly threatened in the WPS will celebrate this year’s Christmas again without anything. Furthermore, countless homes are still flooded with water and mud, and victims are still screaming for justice while the state chooses to neglect them. So with all that, this issue must never be forgotten even if it’s just for a day. Injustice doesn’t stop even if it’s Christmas — and our screams should also never stop. Because just like the saying “To forget is to forgive,” forgetting these issues equates to forgiving criminals and tyrants — even if it’s just for a day.

In the end, Christmas is still Christmas. It’s when Filipinos and people all over the world celebrate with their families and celebrate their faith. But this year’s Christmas is and should be different: it should be celebrated with advocacies and screams for accountability, justice, sovereignty, and more towards the victims and those that are marginalized.

Accountability! Justice for EJK Victims! WPS is ours! All of these are among the many things we must scream for this Christmas. Because if Christmas comes with love, joy, and hope, it must also come with freedom. And we must remember — to forget is to forgive, even if it’s just for a day.