Gloria’s 7 Social Sins

“The cause of liberty becomes a mockery if the price to be paid
is the wholesale destruction of those who are to enjoy liberty.”
- by Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi would have been very happy to witness the presentation of a scroll containing his very own “Seven Social Sins” to Gloria Arroyo on her recent visit to India. While addressed to society as a whole, Gandhi’s “Seven Social Sins” is actually very appropriate reading for unscrupulous politicians like Arroyo.

We sure hope that Gandhi’s words of wisdom could penetrate the callous hearts of these trapos (traditional politicians). Of course that is granting that these rotten politicians still have the conscience left to see beyond their own interests.

Now, here are the seven social sins as proclaimed by the great Mahatma Gandhi: (1) Wealth Without Work, (2) Pleasure Without Conscience, (3) Knowledge Without Character, (4) Commerce Without Morality, (5) Science Without Humanity, (6) Religion Without Sacrifice, and (7) Politics Without Principle.

Here are some of my reflections on these social sins as exemplified by Gloria Arroyo, her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and their cohorts.

Wealth Without Work. Gloria Arroyo and her husband have exhibited this numerous times already. Recent example would be the controversial NBN project. This power couple is trying to broker a P15 billion project, earn hefty kickbacks in the process by simply using the office the President. Sa-ching! Easy money!

Pleasure Without Conscience. An example of this was Gloria’s ambition to be the President of the country at all costs. As captured in her famous “Hello Garci” conversations, she would even agree to let Garci and men kidnap a poor teacher whose a witness to her election cheating in Mindanao. All in the name of pleasure to be the “elected” President of the Philippines!

Knowledge Without Character. Gloria sure has lots of knowledge given her economist (kuno) background. However this knowledge is useless if she continues to ignore the basic concepts of economic equity and social justice.

Commerce Without Morality. This is exemplified by the many business deals Arroyo and friends brokered with the Philippine government to corner handsome contracts. Also let us not forget Jose Pidal who stashed away millions in deposits in controversial deals with the Arroyo government.


Science Without Humanity. Well, what could be a better example than implementing a high technology project such as the national broadband project? This project will result in millions more of additional debt for the Filipinos (not to mention millions more of kickbacks for Gloria and husband!). Gloria said this would enable students even in the remotest municipalities to access the Internet and learn. Yeah right! Students who have barely anything to eat or do not even have a decent classroom are so excited to browse the worldwide web.

Religion Without Sacrifice. Like many other politicians, Gloria Arroyo has the propensity to project a religious image especially during election period. These trapos summon the support of the Cardinals, the pastors, the priests, the imams and what have you, as they present themselves as god-fearing individuals. Old tricks but the sad fact is, it works!
Politics Without Principle. Now, in this last one Gloria Arroyo would receive the highest honors. I don’t know if I still need to give an instance. Examples are all over the place! Go figure.