Every few years, I write a column about my Christmas wishes. My usual hopes include the elimination of graft and corruption in government, that the rule of law is followed, that we have an educated citizenry that is difficult to fool and easy to govern, equipped with the competencies and skills needed in a globally competitive economy, and that we have a clean and green environment.

Most importantly, I wish for a citizenry that understands right from wrong, stands up for principles, and does not allow wrongdoing to go unpunished. A citizenry that fights corruption and ensures that those who steal public funds or misuse their positions are arrested, prosecuted, and punished.

Finally, I wish for a return to the true meaning of Christmas — a season of goodwill, a time to rejoice, forgive, and unite in remembering that God sent His only Son to redeem us.

Two years ago, I wrote about these wishes. Let us see which have come true since then.

For the elimination of graft and corruption, Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released early this year showed the country with a score of 34 out of 100, with 0 meaning "highly corrupt" and 100 "very clean." Our score is below the global average of 43 and we are "on the lower end of the spectrum" among Asia-Pacific countries. Recent news of massive plunder will likely worsen our CPI score in the next survey.

Regarding the rule of law, the 2024 Rule of Law Index under the World Justice Project showed the Philippines with a score of 0.46 out of 1, below the regional average of 0.59.

In education, the latest World Bank report revealed a learning poverty rate of 91 percent, with the regional average at 34.5 percent. Learning poverty is defined as being unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10. This means nine out of 10 Filipino children in this age group are not proficient in reading. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) also placed our 15-year-old students among the world's weakest in math, reading, science, and creative thinking.

For environmental sustainability, the Yale Center Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 showed the Philippines with an overall score of 32 out of 100, below the Asia-Pacific median EPI score of 41.8 percent, the fifth lowest in the region.

As for having the bulk of the citizenry understand right from wrong, stand up for principles, fight corruption and not allow wrongdoing to go unpunished, sadly, this has not come to pass.

This year, I have only one wish — that the Lord grant His people the strength, courage, and wisdom to spread His word, do what is right, and vehemently oppose what is wrong. That those who have been given more in life realize that it is their duty to God and country to ensure that the laws of God and man are followed, and that wrongdoing is thwarted at every turn.

This one wish will make all my prior Christmas wishes come true. It will be our gift to the Christ-child and to future generations of Filipinos.

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Grace-filled New Year!