A skirmish recently had the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) trading barbs with Dr. Tony Leachon, who raised a ruckus about a proposed budget of P137.7 million supposedly for a “Christmas party.”

First of all… what a party that would have been! (But this would be reacting to a clearly unbelievable claim.)

Naturally, PhilHealth immediately went on the defensive, clarifying that the allocation was meant for the yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary.

In his initial social media post, Dr. Leachon showed “a screenshot of a PhilHealth document showing a P137.7 million budget for items like coffee table books, newspaper ads, building decorations, tokens, giveaways and commemorative medals,” a report went.

Saying the health reform advocate was “misinformed,” PhilHealth (and we can just imagine the miffed annoyance here) went on to say the budget was “reasonable.”

“The approved activities are reasonable, budgeted following existing limits set by the government, and procured under Republic Act 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act,” PhilHealth said in a statement.

Leachon later edited his post to say “for PhilHealth anniversary.”

What is the lechon, er, lesson here?

Snide comments are just a sign of the times. In these days of “maritess” and unverified information that go around and come around, it is easy to understand the flagrant nature of communications everywhere.

One prays for mere decency — and for that simple courage of facing the person concerned with a straight question to allay any suspicion, and then move on from there.

This could be the best gift we could give ourselves this Christmas. Let’s just be fair — if one cannot bring himself to be kind — to one another.

Every time the holiday season comes around, it is not always gifts of indulgence that people think about. These days, with calamities and aggressions a-coming and common human decency a-going, the most wished-for item in Santa’s list would likely be “peace on earth.”

Isn’t it amazing how humanity is now forced to go right back around to the core of this Catholic Christmas tradition? The season is not about indulging oneself or gifting our loved ones. It is not just about sharing your blessings either. While it is good to be given time for family in a year of never-ending work responsibilities and a future getting to seem more uncertain, we need to be reminded of the “reason for the season.”

It is the birth of Jesus (symbolizing hope and love). It is not Santa Claus climbing down chimneys. We do not have to deliver gifts for those who have been “good.” If that were the case, Santa’s sleigh would be quite light as he would not have gifts for many people in this town.

“Peace on earth and mercy mild….

God and sinners reconciled…” goes “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

This classic Christmas carol reminds listeners of the “joy” this season should bring to the hearts of the faithful. But joy, by its very nature, is elusive. It seems harder to come by in the face of daily travails and perennial challenges like traffic, meanness, malice, cruelty and hate.

This is why Christmas is precious. Like twinkling lights on Christmas trees, we are drawn to its momentary brilliance. Joy is light we cannot hold.