Next week, we will celebrate Christmas, a once-a-year time that beautifully embodies the spirit of mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of new beginnings. I’m sure the air will be filled with warmth, joy and mended relationships.

Now is the best moment to embrace the spirit of forgiveness. Holding onto pain only weighs us down. Forgiving — both ourselves and others — can be a decisive step toward healing. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting; it means freeing ourselves from the emotional burden that has kept us tethered to past wounds.

This Yuletide spirit leads me to reflect on the initiative of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to grant an amnesty to colorum, or “illegal,” transport operators to accommodate the increasing number of commuters on the road. 

This kind gesture would serve as a positive demonstration of our commitment to community harmony and inclusivity. Colorum drivers will now be able to operate legally, thereby recognizing their dignity as individuals. It is this spirit of Christmas mercy that our society desperately needs.

For many people, securing legitimate livelihoods is filled with challenges. Colorum operators often find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty and struggle. They are not just breaking the law; they are supporting their families despite inadequate transportation services and limited options.

The amnesty initiative, therefore, provides support for those who may have deviated while attempting to deliver essential public services. By offering legitimacy through a franchise or provisional authority, the government enhances the public transport system.

Envision the positive effects of this campaign: livelihoods will be stabilized and restored, and an improved public transportation system will serve everyone.

Rather than simply punishing those who have gone astray, the best approach to address a problem is to embody the compassion of the season. It illuminates a path toward redemption where none existed before.

This Christmas, let us take inspiration from the LTFRB’s amnesty campaign. Everyone deserves a second chance, particularly those who are striving for a better life. The offenses committed by transport operators were nothing compared to those involved in the flood control projects scandal, for whom the government is considering allowing them to turn state witnesses, provided they return part of their ill-gotten gains as restitution.

As we come together with loved ones to celebrate the season’s spirit, let us also recognize the importance of forgiving past grievances and building a future based on support and inclusivity.

In the spirit of Christmas, let us support policies and practices that uplift rather than condemn. We should harness the power of forgiveness to ensure that everyone, including those on the fringes, can enjoy the blessings of honest work and community service.

The path to a more compassionate society begins with mutual understanding; that is what Christmas is all about.