Who Will Guard The Guards? Who Will Tell The Truth? By VWBro Carlos S. Briones

Brethren, For those who did not make it at the last GLP ANCOM 2008 in Bacolod, below is a Grand Oration presented during the event by VWBro Carlos "Itos" Briones, Grand Orator:

Emailed by Bro Ken Tieng.

WHO WILL GUARD THE GUARDS? WHO WILL TELL THE TRUTH?
(Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)

(A Grand Oration, ANCOM 2008, By: VW Carlos "Itos" S. Briones, Grand Orator)

"Contemporary history will gradually and inevitably push Philippine Masonry to come forward, assert itself, justify its existence or carve its own niche in our national and domestic tableau, either proudly (or regrettably?).

Although it may take a bit longer to reduce to obscurity the glory of their past, (but) the masons of today, will, in the near future; feel uncomfortable to just sit by and allow the record of their gallant and courageous peers to buoy up their ego and pretend as if the accomplishments of those great but departed brethren are also theirs.

We have lived and wallowed in the glory of past achievements too long. Isn't it about time we also register something unusually sterling which we can be proud of, something we can call our own; today, in our own time? And not just in theirs?

Brethren, the teachings of masonry have not changed. The landmarks, the tenets, the ancient charges, usages and customs have remained unaltered throughout the ages. Its avowed attachment to the cardinal virtues and its call for strict adherence to masonic practices considered proper and righteous before man and God, remain the same.

Dedicated masons who serve their Grand Lodge and their respective lodges with fervency and zeal are expected to maintain their loyal obedience to project the respectability of their craft to its fullest brilliance. But can we see and feel the same old dedication and loyalty to the glory of our present brand of masonry today? Can we claim an honest relevance to the moral and spiritual needs of our time? Do we see these needs within our community, in our people and above all, do we see them in the men and women in our government today?

If we do, are we doing something about it? Individually or collectively, do we make our presence and our relevance felt in a society where the loss of virtues is blatant, glaringly and alarmingly deteriorating.

My brothers, many attempts at reviving the spirit of EDSA, also known as the Philippine brand of People's Power have come and gone. Incidents have tried surfacing and resurfacing but to some degree, lack the intensity and genuine will so that they dissipate. If ever there is any attempt at mobilizing people these days, the exercise only exhibits a motley representation of a dwindling or gradually dying interest.

We may be tempted to ask: "Has People Power gone out of fashion and people have lost the will or that they no longer care?

(But,) the mark of "unmoderated greed" is still starting at our society and right on our faces. So where do we place ourselves in the midst of these unsettling developments? Do we still possess the moral courage to act the way masons are expected they should? Do we just watch nonchalantly by and hide behind the convenient excuse because we are barred from anything political in nature?

Just where is really the extent to which we can show our people the simple manner of acting accordingly? So, where are we in the scheme of things? Where are we in the midst of corruption in our country and in our government? Where should we be when we see the inevitable turmoil in a divided nation? Where and when do we build bridges among men?

The days of the conjugal dictatorship could have been the most opportune time to start building those bridges of understanding among a divided people. Why did history choose someone like the late Jaime Cardinal Sin to lead that bloodless People Power? Why the religious institutions of nuns and priests? Why not the institution of Masonry? Why not the Masons? Where were they at those times of shameless plunder? Where were they when the need to have honesty, righteousness, integrity in public service, loyalty to country and people ought to be the concern of those in government?

But masonry then, and until now have opted to keep its deafening, nay, maddening silence. Why? Where do we stand between people and government when we feel and see that something is very, very wrong? Where do we apply those seemingly brilliant gems of Masonic teachings if most of our actions shall be deemed political and we are unable to respond? Can anyone honestly tell me or some of us, where we should be or what is it we can do to find out whether we still count or whether masonry is still relevant to our situation today?

Brethren, I am merely asking questions perhaps many of you are also too timid to ask. Perhaps many of our people have grown callous to rampant and widespread lies and corruption, they just don't care anymore. Has masonry fallen into the same situation? Do we stop caring too, or are we putting an end to spreading virtues and righteousness because we seem unable to give masonry a human face in our present troubled time? Or do we merely pay lip service to the beautiful and replicable goodness of masonry? Is it asking too much to be publicly honest? And is it too demanding to adhere to the truth with resolve and with strong tenacity and will?

Our elders in the craft are not getting any younger. Many have been summoned to the Celestial Lodge above to be in union with their Supreme Grand Master in the heavenly temple. While we feel blessed that some of these mentors still make themselves visible in our current Masonic functions, we are aware of their dwindling number. Even those that wear the purple caps of wisdom have diminished in quantity or have become physically scarce in the vicinity of our Grand Lodge that we cannot help but wonder: "What will happen when the oldguards are gone?" Who will be left after the unpolished ashlars and work on their refinement?

Who will guard the guards? "Quis custodiet ipsos custodies? Who will give those necessary instructions to maintain the harmony and balance of things which must prevail in our lodges and in our country? Or, when was it we heard any of these elderly masons give and spread wisdom touching on these present and current uncertainties?

Are there still wizened elderly masons who will guide us how to apply Masonic values to our present predicament? Do we still have respectable masons who will work collectively and present an alternative formula, a workable move, one that would maintain the peace and harmony of our nation, without hatred, without rancor, without bloodshed?

Who will indeed guard the guards when the old masters' time shall have been no more? And from whom can we expect wisdom when many have become voiceless while the rest are seemingly indifferent to the ugliness before us?

At this crucial moment in our nation's history, it becomes equally important to ask: "Who will tell the truth?" Who will tell the real, unexpurgated and/or unglossed over truth, hurting or not?

Corollary to this query, it is likewise important to find out who will listen to and accept the real, unexpurgated and/or unglossed over truth? The whole nation is gripped in anxiety and anticipation of the outcome of a current senate inquiry and other recent events involving vital national issues. These developments involve the honesty and integrity of the men and women in our government.

Every Filipino of consequence, masons and non-masons alike, have a stake at what is happening today. This regrettable events placed in the limelight the accountability of many government officials. It presents before the bar of public scrutiny, the ugliness or beauty of our present system of public administration. The key players that have been placed before us have great responsibility of telling our people one very simple though seemingly elusive commodity – the truth.

Why does it seem so difficult to tell the truth nowadays? Or is it difficult for masonry today to offer our nation and our people one aggressive, bold but honest alternative? Or shall we maintain the timid attitude of forgetting that individuality or collectively, we have a rich and deep treasure chest of human resources. Silently within us are our men with administrative or even technical acumen. They are clothed with the unblemished mark of honesty and integrity. I have no doubt that amongst us are men capable of running the affairs of government in the fine tradition of statesmanship and are obedient to the expectations of the craft in maintaining their most respectable form.

Who can set aside and ignore the sterling qualities of some of our Past Grand Masters? Right now we can immediately point to two highest national officials at present. Do they not possess the inherent qualities we look for in honest, fair and conscientious leaders? Can we not easily pick from our seemingly inexhaustible collection of prestigious men a formidable choice for a new leadership? Can they not be the masons' answer to the clamor for change?

Maybe we are not aware of this anymore but within us are precious collections of votaries awaiting to be tapped. We may not even be conscious that we have a nationwide machinery of human resources scattered throughout the archipelago. In cities, towns, provinces and regions; in the highest hills and in the lowest vales are masons to be found. They need only to be convinced of the sincerity of our intentions. They need only to understand that this rapacious greed among our officials needs to be eradicated; that this rotten system in government would require the transfusion of Masonic blood.

All it takes is for all good masons to appreciate that through courageous men in our craft, we may be able to bring back the glory of masonry. Through our collective efforts and commitments (can) we may be able to prove that masonry is indeed a potent and impregnable force this side of the globe.

A mason for President? For Vice President? And why not? I believe this can be achieved if we stay united and driven by only one unselfish conviction – that of giving integrity and honesty to public service, and standing behind the cause of a highly qualified and deserving brother, what other force can be more impregnable? If we do not try now, how can we ever find out? If we don't do it now, when else? Tomorrow may be too late. Look how truth is being trampled upon... and in public!

I do not blame the profane if he gives truth an entirely different definition or color. I do not blame the Filipino audience if he can (do) no longer distinguish between glossed over truth, half truth or outright lies as against genuine truth. For so many decades, the same audience has been exposed to the concealment of truth as early as the Dictator Marcos' time. One need no diploma is psychology to interpret the smirk on the face of the Filipino audience today every time he listens to a government official supposedly "telling the truth" whether under oath or not.

To a dedicated mason whose physical, moral and spiritual acquirements have been immersed totally to the tenets of his craft, his tenacity to truth must be beyond question. It is his only vital talisman expected to proclaim him to be free. To veil truth in concealment or totally obscure its brilliant reality is to remain imprisoned in ignorance and hollow pretense. To ignore our own capacity as a rich resource of human potentials, is to deny our people of their chance for new hope, for a new horizon to a brighter tomorrow.

Our people, both masons and non-masons know the role that our forebears played in the most crucial moments in our sterling qualities as honest exemplars and pillars of integrity. My questions to you, you, you and you, my brethren is: Do you still possess these sterling qualities? Are you still capable of honesty? Can you be a dependable pillar of integrity?

I challenge all of you to come forward and be the courageous masons that you are. Most Worshipful Grand Master Jaime Y. Gonzales, esteemed and respected Past Grand Masters, Right Worshipful Sirs, Very Worshipful Sirs, Visiting Dignitaries, My Brethren I have given my piece and presented my case in the wake of this present discouraging circumstances. Please tell me and the rest of the brethren in this grand gathering: Where does Masonry begin in situations like this? And where would you want it to end?"

Moderator's Note: According to Wikepedia, "Plato's answer to this is that they will guard themselves against themselves. We must tell the guardians a "noble lie". The noble lie will inform them that they are better than those they serve and it is therefore their responsibility to guard and protect those lesser than themselves. We will instill in them a distaste for power or privilege, they will rule because they believe it right, not because they desire it."

Bold supplied for emphasis. See complete article here.