Pacquiao now fighting dirty for Duterte
A man who recants his lie should no longer be called a liar, while a sinner who repents can go on to become a saint.
Step forward Arthur Lascanas, the retired Filipino policeman who tearfully confessed to being a member of the Davao City “death squad” allegedly directed by then-mayor and now president, Rodrigo Duterte. Lascanas says his confession was prompted by a “born-again” episode of spiritual renewal. During last week’s hearing on the crimes of the Davao Death Squad, he was interrogated by boxing legend, congressman and Duterte ally Manny Pacquiao – who graced the occasion by explaining his own understanding of spiritual renewal. Unfortunately it was deeply flawed.
It would do well for the “born-again” senator to remember that, not too long ago, his lie about the condition of his health, in keeping secret his shoulder injury prior to and during the Floyd Mayweather world title fight, was an international disgrace that triggered an outrage among boxing fans. The self-righteous Pacquiao must be thankful that the millions of people worldwide he deceived were, in stark contrast to his own mindset, willing to forgive and forget.
No person who has experienced spiritual conversion to Christianity or any other religion can then claim he has never lied thereafter. A holy life isn’t equal to absolute perfection. You succumb to human nature and fall down once in a while, but you get up every time, and every time it is by God’s grace. Life for a saved soul is all about mercy from start to finish – what Catholics term “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Lascanas was compelled to recant a lie purportedly to save the truth, while Pacquiao was compelled to tell the truth after his loss to Mayweather – to save face.
Reni M Valenzuela
Philippine Daily Inquirer (ANN)
