“LOVE FOR POWER; THE POWER OF LOVE”

(Erico Joseph T. Canete)

The 2025 mid term election is over. The people had made their decisions through their democratic right in choosing authority to man the bridle of governance. Whether it was propelled by personal interest or desire for the general welfare, the votes were cast.

Yet, let’s take a look at the inner most consciousness of our politicians examining the motive of their desired position. Was it love for power or power of love?

The love for power with devious means to achieve victory is selfish. It represents moral bankruptcy as reflected through using dreary political machinations, sophism, fallacy, lies, squealing, bringing the faults of the opponent in public, using guns, goons and gold, among others. Vote buying has been secularized into our vernacular “inangayan” (money given to voters as pocket money or share of the voter or voter’s per diem). Inangayan is used as euphemism for vote buying; justifying it as both morally and legally sound. The moral permissiveness of the majority about this matter doesn’t justify this devious act.

Obviously, one cannot lead the people to the existential end of society – the common good – if one is governed by this selfish and self consuming desire for power hiding in the disguise of public service. 

On the other hand, using the power of love is a virtue. It is a power for moral action which leads the politician to act with ease and order in the light of what is right or wrong, and good or evil at the start of his quest for a public position, the campaign proper, election proper, and to the assumption of authority and incumbency. This is the “in medio stat virtus” (virtue stands in the middle) if we were to end corruption and exploitation. This is a guide in examining the purity of the politician’s intention in the political race. The power of love clears the cobwebs that haunt selfishness and materialism as motives in the position; an epitome in concretizing the motto, “Public service above self”. 

We hope that the power of love would pave the way to an honest reconciliation with the incoming transition team in reporting the LGU’s assets, records, and other documents for a transparent and effective governance to the new set of elected officials. 

 As an author puts it, “We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.”

With the fresh mandate given and entrusted by the people to the new set of public servants, may they give justice to this trust valuing the dictum, “Vox Populi, Vox Dei”. May the voice of the people be the voice of God for our leaders.

Writer’s Note:

The title is borrowed from British Prime Minister William Gladstone’s speech.