Rename not Commonwealth Avenue to Erano Manalo Avenue

As the 2010 elections looms, the politicians’ desire to please the Iglesia ni Cristo becomes a priority.  Last year they want to change Commonwealth Avenue to Felix Manalo Avenue.  Bishop Antonio R. Tobias objected:

In a letter to Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Tobias pointed out that there are three “major” Roman Catholic churches — St. Peter Parish; Kristong Hari Paris and Sto. Nino de Leyte Shrine — situated along the avenue.

“To change the name of Commonwealth Avenue to that of Felix Y. Manalo would sacrifice the very history of our nation and the integrity of our city,” Tobias said in the letter that was also distributed to the 26 QC councilors.

Tobias urged the city council not to decide on the issue for the sake of “partisan interests of a specific minority”. (Manila Bulletin)

This year the politicians resurrected the idea again, after seeing the massive turnout of INC members in Commonwealth at the death of Erano Manalo, but this time to rename Commonwealth Avenue as Erano Manalo Avenue.  This politicians will never tire.  As Majority Leader Inton remarked after he withdrew his support to the last year’s proposal:

Pleasing the INC could be politically rewarding. But offending the Catholic church is political suicide. (Manila Bulletin)

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.  It is a fitting name since it is the road which connects Quezon Circle and Quirino Avenue.  When the Tydings-McDuffie Act or the Philippine Independence act was approved in 1934, a 10-year transition period to Philippine independence from the U.S. was defined.  This transition period was the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.   Manuel Quezon was the first president in the Commonwealth period from years 1935-1944.  Elpidio Quirino was the last vice president in 1946.  He was elected again as vice President under Manuel Roxas at the start of the Philippine Republic.  In 1948 Quirino became President.

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.  Quezon city was created during the Commonwealth period and replaced Manila as the Capital of the Philippines.  Remove the name Commonwealth Avenue from the map and replace it by another name and you remove the foundations of Quezon city.  Commonwealth gave birth to Quezon city; Manalo did not. Quezon City must honor its father and mother  (Commonwealth), so that its inhabitants may have long life in the land that the Lord has given them (c.f. Ex 20:12).  And as the Filipino proverb says:

He who does not know how to look back to where it came from can never reach where it wants to go to.

(Ang sinong hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paroroonan.)

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.

Note: A hobbit thanks to In Defense of the Church for the info.