Everything in Life is Temporary

Some people create more enemies than friends while in power. Photo from http://www.wikipedia.org.

​In the past, whenever a new Pope was announced in the Roman Catholic Church, he was carried in a throne. through Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The procession would stop three times, and in each stop, a person would tell him, “Pater Sancte, sic transit gloria mundi,” or “Holy Father, so passes worldly glory.”

This was a reminder that all things in this life were temporary, including power and fame.

It is an important reminder for anyone in a prominent position in religion or politics.

The honor of serving others is given to those who are trusted by the people.

That is why votes are very important for democracy.
 
It shows how people trust that a person will act in their best interests.

It is also the reason power can be taken away once trust is lost.

Even if one holds on to the position, once the trust is lost, then the power will fade, the position lost.
 
That is why it is important not to abuse power, to respect it and treat it as a tool given to help others.
 
Our politicians and government officials should always keep in mind that they are the ones we have entrusted with power.

Many of them should not be too attached to it, and remember that it is temporary.
 
What is more important is that they should do the best they can for the people.
 
The words of my friend, Ric Lim, who has since passed over, keeps ringing in my ears as if he said them only minutes ago: “When you’re in power, cultivate many friends and try to make no enemies.”

Otherwise, karma will dictate how things will happen, and it can be very cruel.
 
Perhaps the only thing that will last longer than power is a good name, a good reputation.

*******

Speaking of power and all things being temporary, the internet is a place where everything recorded seems to have a permanent place.

It is very disappointing to see video recordings where police officers abuse their power repeatedly.

How can we trust officers of the law, if they are the ones we are afraid of, for all the wrong reasons?

These officers are wasting the goodwill and trust of the people.
 
If they have broken the law, then they should be disciplined, charged, or fired. And if they resist arrest, kill them.
 
If we want to build a better future, then all these problems should be addressed.
 
This is why I am happy that Police Chief Superintendent, acting chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Guillermo Lorenzo “Guilor” Eleazar is there to teach these erring officers a lesson.
 
His record of accomplishment since his assumption of office on June 4, 2018, shows a man who is willing to clean house, to restore the reputation of the Philippine National Police.

He needs our support, because we need more men like him in service of the law.

Our vision of a just and fair society deserves to be permanent, not something that will fade away.