“Moral Force” launched at FEU Auditorium

"We need not raise our clenched fists—we need only to be still wherever we are and listen to the whispers of our conscience reminding us of our timely and timeless moral values in life."

- Chief Justice Puno
FEU Auditorium; August 31, 2009

Chief Justice Reynato Puno formally launched on Monday his Moral Force Movement (MFM) at the Far Eastern University Auditorium, aiming to usher in “the moral transformation" of the country. The MFM is a non-partisan organization and stressed that it would not endorse any particular candidate in the  next year’s elections. The movement which was supposed to be launched months ago, was delayed due to the non-completion of the members of the advisory council. The movement is comprised of a multi-sectoral group, spearheaded by no less than the Chief Justice to battle out graft and corruption, poverty, and ultimately to lay down the standards in choosing candidates for the May 2010 election. Puno had earlier discouraged politicians from joining the movement, saying they would only muddle the issues concerning moral values, rampant graft and corruption, poverty alleviation and clean and honest elections.

Coinciding with the celebration of National Heroes’ Day, the launching was hosted by the Movement for Good Governance (MGG), whose members come from the academe, the religious sector, media, business industry, and good governance advocates. MGG Interim Chair Dr. Milwida Guevarra and Incoming Chair Solita C. Monsod said that the program launching was simple and anchored on the theme “Honor." “The program collectively strengthens our faith in democracy, advocate the need for transformational leaders, and encourage our citizens to work together," said Guevarra.

Members of the Moral Force core group include FEU Institute of Law (IL) Dean, Andres Bautista; Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa, chairperson of the National Movement for Free Elections and head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting; Retired Brig. Gen. Jaime C. Echeverria, president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers; Dr. Guevara, former Undersecretary of Finance and head of MGG and Synergeia Foundation; Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil of the United Methodist Church of the Philippines; Ms. Marixi Rufino Prieto, chairperson of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and trustee of the Metrobank Foundation; Ms. Noorain S. Sabdulla, one of the 2008 Outstanding Students of the Philippines awardee; and Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, E.D., president of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines and executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education.

FEU-IL Dean and current president of the Philippine Association of Law Schools, Atty. Andy Bautista emphasized that “In a nutshell, the MFM is a social movement advocating good governance through transformational leadership and responsible citizenship. It was formed to combat the moral degradation that is slowly, yet surely, permeating not only our institutions but our values as a people. But rather than just cursing the darkness, the MFM seeks to light a candle by upholding, promoting, celebrating and reinforcing the good and the right in Philippine society.”