And he said a certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck; and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead; and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
You became the chief of police in your place after successfully going after big time computer hackers and a syndicate engaged in the production and sale pf pirated software. One day, you find out that your eldest son is an active computer hacker. When you confront your son, he tells you that he is sorry and he promises that he will never engage in activities involving computer crimes. You are now face with the problem of having to choose between too options: first as a chief of police, you have a duty to arrest your own son; and second, as a parent you have the duty to protect your son.
In every family there is always a black sheep or what we called “different” but although their sons and daughters committed “sin” there is always forgiveness. True Repentance is the key for forgiveness. Whatever bad things that your sons did, it will be forgiven because a father has always a compassion for it. It is not wrong to protect your son. Nor it is not wrong to do your duty as a chief of police. But what ever decision he has now, it must be clearly understood that he will need to sacrifice one. He must choose His own son or the lost of his job. The chief of police must suffer for what decision or consequence he has made. If he will be in the position as a chief police then he must do his job. And that job is to arrest those hackers and syndicate including his own son. Yes, the sin of his son is forgiven as a parent but there is law that guilty person must be charged. In most studies those sons and daughters doing criminal cases like this are those people that lack attention and parental guidance. That’s why they act rebelliously. But as I’ve said parent have a compassion to there son. In reality I don’t see people, famous one, son and daughter of the President or sons of “Pontius Pilate” that is persecuted and accused by his own parent although they have sinned against the government law like in this case. Most cases, those sons of the famous one or those sons of politicians although they have sinned and guilty they went to America just to be safe and not to be accused. Well, I’m not saying that I will tolerate my son. But now this is the reality. Your son is your own blood. Even it is the most wanted criminal syndicate here in the Philippines forgiveness and compassion will come on your way. Yes position, dignity and pride are important. You hardly invest it just to gain the fame and fortune of your family. But if your son will perish I don’t really think the position as a Chief of Police is important right now. But if my son after committing a sin, he is forgiven and then it turns out that his action is not true or just a fake one and he is not truly repenting then I will punish him. Repentance means you will not turn back and you will not do bad things again. So if you will do it again, then, forgiveness is not for you. Forgiveness is only for those people who truly repent. This situation illustrates the problem of moral obligation and the problem of moral principle. If you will perform your work as a chief of police then you will gain respect and fame. But your duty as parent will be questionable, your son will be in jail and that is too painful in to your other side.
The problem of moral obligation and the problem of moral principle is the most pervasive among the four. This two involved choosing what is wrong and what is right. If you think that is right, one will suffer and you must sacrifice one. Meaning you must eliminate one. I just have a question why I need to choose? I just think I need them both. I need my friend to be with me but I also need a job. My job is my bread and butter. So what’s the point of choosing? Both are important. Well, I just think I must discern the right things. Discerning what is wrong and what is right. Talking the problem of moral principle, will discussed the 1st scenario. I’m a computer specialist employed in HRD. I’m responsible for safekeeping and updating computer records of employees that’s why the documents under me are highly confidential. But my friend who is employed in the same company needs favor from me and that is to give her the records of a doctor. What will I do? Well, I will tell to my friends that doing these things is merely bad. I need to make her a point that what she’s doing will cause them both out to the company. My friend needs to understand these things, if that is confidential then it must be confidential. But if my friends don’t understand me then it’s up to her. Well, it’s too hard if you have “Utang na Loob” to those people who need favor from you, it’s too hard to say no. That “Utang na Loob” makes me sick. It is your obligation in return to give them favor too, but see to it you will not be in trouble. But in reality if you have “Utang na Loob” in somebody it will cause you in trouble, not just trouble but in pain. That is very bad. If you think that “Utang na Loob” will harm you then don’t do it. May be there is another chance to give them favor. If your conscience and your heart is telling you it is wrong, and it is against your moral principle then don’t do it. If I’m a computer programmer who is being asked by my employer to create a program that would sabotage a competitors computer system then what will I do is to resigned because it’s against my principle. Well, I think it’s upon the person who is in that situation. But for me if it is against my belief, then I will stop for it. I will resign for that job because there are many best jobs. If it is against your will don’t do it.