Principles in Peril: Why the Philippines Must Reclaim Its Moral Compass
By Francis Jeus Ibañez
Into the heart of the Philippine archipelago, where resilience is etched into the soul of every citizen, a quiet erosion threatens the nation- not of infrastructure or economy, but of principle. As the country grapples with economic instability and political disillusionment, a quote from C.S. Lewis echoes with haunting relevance: “Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it; right is right even if no one is doing it.”
This is not just a philosophical musing. It is a call to arms- a moral imperative in a time when truth is often traded for convenience, and integrity drowned out by the noise of populism and patronage.
Rule of Law: A Broken Compass?
The rule of law in the Philippines has long been a contested terrain. From selective justice to impunity for the powerful, the legal system often appears more ornamental than operational. When laws are bent to serve political ends, the very foundation of democracy trembles. Lewis’s words remind us that legality does not equate to morality. A law that protects corruption is not just flawed- it is wrong.
The recent controversies surrounding pork barrel misuse, red-tagging of dissenters, and the weaponization of libel laws against journalists are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a deeper malaise: the normalization of wrongdoing under the guise of governance.
Moral Integrity: The Missing Ingredient
Leadership without moral integrity is like a ship without a rudder. The Philippines has seen leaders rise on promises of reform, only to falter in the face of political expediency. The erosion of trust in public institutions stems not from lack of competence, but from lack of character.
Lewis’s quote challenges every Filipino- especially those in power- to resist the tide of moral relativism. To do what is right, even when it is unpopular. To speak truth, even when silence is safer. To lead not by fear, but by example.
Human Dignity: The Forgotten Priority
Economic policies that fail to uplift the poor are not just inefficient- they are immoral. The widening gap between rich and poor, the displacement of indigenous communities for development projects, and the underfunding of education and healthcare are affronts to human dignity.
In a country where jeepney drivers protest for survival and farmers plead for land reform, the question is not whether the economy is growing- but for whom. Lewis’s principle demands that we measure progress not by GDP, but by the dignity it affords every Filipino.
The Triumphant Monument of Life: A Vision Worth Building
Imagine a Philippines where justice is blind, not bought. Where leaders are servants, not sovereigns. Where every citizen—regardless of class, creed, or region- can live with dignity. This is the “triumphant monument of life” that Lewis’s quote envisions.
It is not built by those who follow the crowd, but by those who dare to stand alone. Journalists who risk their lives for truth. Youth who challenge the status quo. Citizens who vote with conscience, not convenience.
A Speech to Stir the Soul
“My fellow Filipinos, let us not be swayed by the noise of the majority when it drowns out the voice of reason. Let us not be blinded by power when it obscures justice. In this time of crisis, let us remember: wrong is wrong—even if everyone is doing it. And right is right—even if no one is doing it. The future of our nation depends not on the strength of our economy, but on the strength of our character.”
Final Word
C.S. Lewis’s quote is more than a moral reminder- it is a blueprint for national renewal. In the face of economic hardship and political decay, the Philippines must choose principle over popularity, truth over tradition, and courage over conformity.
Only then can we rise- not just as a nation, but as a people worthy of the freedom we claim and the future we dream.
