Vicente Sotto III versus Angelito Alvarez
Oosthuizen Toasts Nelson Mandela
Some of the July 12 headlines touched on the demand from Sen. Vicente Sotto III that President Aquino rescind the appointment of Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez as the latter was reportedly caught cheating in a golf tournament in Alabang.
“If the President wants to have a clean image in (the Bureau of) Customs, he should not put someone there with a record of dishonesty,” Sotto is quoted as saying. He emphasized that as head of the historically and notoriously graft ridden Customs collections apparatus, the commissioner must adhere to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. As a suspected cheater in golf Alvarez would be rendered ineffective, Sotto’s statement implied.
While one might be tempted to scratch one’s head and wonder just how petty Philippine political discourse has become, one cannot offhand dismiss Sotto’s charges and concerns. Golf, after all, is a very apt metaphor for life.
I have played golf, starting quite late in life and thus am not in any way good at it. I do have an understanding of the rules and in a crude and simplistic way I will try to discuss how I believe the rules work.
Unlike basketball or other sports where there is a referee or umpire present to call infractions and mete out penalties, in golf the player is usually out there on the fairway by himself. So, if as an example, his ball sails into a wooded area ( a common occurrence, let me assure all) and finds that his ball is behind a grown tree (not a sapling) which stands between his ball and the green, he usually has to take a shot horizontally to move his ball to the fairway from which he can hit the next shot to the green. In the process an extra shot is added to his score (a bad thing in golf!)
Kicking that ball so that it is better positioned without losing a stroke is cheating. If a golfer tries to clear loose rubble, dried leaves or any other obstructions surrounding his ball he must do so without the ball moving even in the slightest way. If it does he is honor bound to report the infraction to the other players and charge himself with an extra shot. And that is the uniqueness about golf. It is a gentleman’s” game. Trying to get an undeserved advantage is an absolute “no, no”. It is far better to lose a round than to get a score that is better than what a golfer actually shot. This is true for the most accomplished professionals as it is for the novice.
I, and I’m sure many who play golf whether as weekend hackers or more avid aficionados, can therefore completely understand why Senator Sotto is so outraged to the point that he wants Alvarez to be kicked out of the country club he plays at and to have his appointment as Customs Commissioner rescinded. If the man can blatantly cheat in golf surely he has no place in respectable society, so to speak. Not that the Customs environment and reputation can really be labeled “respectable”.
And this goes to Sotto’s point, I think. Since P.Noy has forcefully and vigorously averred that a strict code of honesty and integrity will characterize his administration having an alleged golf cheater in the job would seem to run afoul of the president’s objectives.
And this is where golf as metaphor for life becomes relevant. If people can adhere to the rules of life with the same strict ethic required of a golfer, then there is, I believe, some hope that Philippine society and culture could transform and elevate.
President Barack Obama, in the few times that he committed a gaffe or was on the wrong side of an issue, is fond of citing such incidents as “teachable moments”. And I believe that is what we have with the Sotto outrage over Alvarez’ faus pax. It can be a teachable moment for all. We have here an opportunity to set a new standard of behavior for officeholders and the rest of Philippine society where a strict ethic is observed and those who violate the rules turn themselves in and face the consequences. Perhaps in this “new and improved” version of Philippine life, the mark of success of a public servant is how much poorer he is monetarily at the end of his term. Penury as the new badge of honor. How fascinating!
Can you imagine a Philippines where the president, his cabinet ministers, members of congress, governors, mayors and every manner of government official devoted his time, talents and energies not to the effort to enrich himself, his family and friends but to the task to which he swore he would undertake? Is this possible? Perhaps it is. We have a President Aquino who has a reputation for honesty and integrity and we have a Senator Sotto who exposes even the seemingly most trivial forms of cheating. So why not?
I recently saw the film “Invictus” which chronicled how a newly elected President Nelson Mandela used rugby as a means to create unity among the white and black populations of South Africa. Perhaps golf can do for the Philippines what rugby did for South Africa.
And speaking of which, this past weekend South Africa was once again the focus of worldwide sporting news. A white South African, Louis Oosthuizen spectacularly won the British Open, a one hundred and fifty year old tournament. After sinking the last putt on the 18th hole Louis very warmly embraced his black South African caddy Zack Rasego, a scene that was unthinkable in that formerly apartheid country only 20 or so years earlier. Oosthuizen further anointed the moment when he, first and foremost, dedicated his win as a tribute to Nelson Mandela who on that special day celebrated his 92nd birthday. Golf as a vehicle for racial harmony. What an accomplishment.
In discussing the golf controversy between Sotto III and Alvarez I do not intend to tar and feather the latter. All Alvarez has to do is admit to his mistakes on the golf course, turn in whatever benefits he may have gained, apologize to his fellow golfers and ask President Aquino to withdraw his appointment as Customs Commissioner. Alvarez can make this incident a true teaching moment for the country. Do the unexpected. Demonstrate in the clearest way possible that honor and integrity are more important for him than the Customs job. There can be redemption, yet it must be preceded by contrition. In golf, as in life, we all make mistakes. No one is perfect. And Angelito Alvarez will help himself immensely by recognizing and admitting this. And in the process help begin to usher in a new code of conduct in government. His golfing weekend, instead of sinking his reputation, could lead to the country’s reformation.
A most commendable feat indeed.
ldq@aol.com
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Today’s “Crisis” Needs The “Sunshine Patriots” and “Summer Soldiers” To Become Bricklayers
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
The above are the first two sentences from Thomas Paine’s first essay “The Crisis” published on December 23, 1776. It so inspired George Washington that he had criers spread out to as far as they could and read it to all the American revolutionary troops. It helped strengthen the resolve of the Colonies to fight for independence from the British.
Facing the seemingly insurmountable challenges laid at his feet when he assumed the presidency last June 30th, President Benigno Aquino III cannot be faulted for perhaps feeling that indeed his very soul is being tried and tested. It is clear that he needs all the help he can get. It is, therefore, no time for “sunshine patriots” nor “summer soldiers”.
Those who luxuriated in the euphoria of P. Noy’s victory last May must now buckle down to help him carry out the program he promised the nation in the last campaign. Those appointed to cabinet posts and other positions in government must truly get in sync with the values of honesty and transparency articulated by P. Noy at his inaugural address. And perhaps, just as important, they need to demonstrate an ability to institute policies and programs that effectively solve the country’s many problems.
For President Aquino to be effective and successful he must continue to enjoy the trust and confidence of the Filipino nation and this is most enhanced when the people he has appointed to positions of power and influence operate with integrity and perform their duties to the utmost levels of efficiency possible.
There is another group of people who need to take heed and do some soul searching: those who were late term appointees of ex- president Arroyo. They need to ask themselves, first, if they are indeed qualified for the positions to which they were appointed. Second, understanding that there is a new president in place, are they prepared to fully and faithfully adhere to the standards for honesty that P.Noy has outlined? Or were they merely appointed to their positions as a reward for their pasts “service” to the Arroyos? They must ask if they are in their positions now to serve as minions in the Arroyo “rear guard” plot to help frustrate any efforts at holding the past president and her family accountable for alleged crimes of wanton graft and plunder. And if this so then they need to do the right and honorable thing and relinquish their positions so that President Aquino is able to appoint people he trusts will do the jobs to his expectations.
This is most especially true of Renato C. Corona, appointed by Arroyo to the post of chief justice of the Supreme Court a mere few days before the end of her term. In his role as head of the country’s highest judicial body he is in a position to impede and mitigate legal actions that might tend to adversely affect the person who appointed him to his lofty post. Here the matter of delicadeza, at the very least, is at play. But more than that, it is important for the country to not have any doubts that the high court will act with true justice and not serve as the “shield of last resort” for the Arroyo crowd. This is especially critical when one considers the fact that the other 14 justices of the Supreme Court also owe their jobs to ex-president Arroyo. By resigning his post and affording the new president the opportunity to appoint a chief justice not beholden to the Arroyos, our Mr. Corona would be doing his country a great service; by voluntarily relinquishing his post he would then deserve the image he wants the country to have of him as a man of integrity and honor.
Those who voted for President Aquino with the expectation that he will usher in an era of clean and effective government must understand that their support for the president’s programs and policies is perhaps even more crucial now. They must be wary of the capacity of those who benefited from a corrupt structure to try and cling to their gains and undermine any efforts to transform our government and society. And for those who did not vote for him it is important to recognize that an honest, transparent and effective government benefits all of us.
It is time for the “sunshine patriots” and “summer soldiers” to transform themselves into the ditch diggers and bricklayers that will, it is hoped, build that edifice that will survive the chilling onslaughts of the cruel winters of graft, corruption and political obstructionism that will surely come to try and test the nation’s soul.
ldq44@aol.com
The above are the first two sentences from Thomas Paine’s first essay “The Crisis” published on December 23, 1776. It so inspired George Washington that he had criers spread out to as far as they could and read it to all the American revolutionary troops. It helped strengthen the resolve of the Colonies to fight for independence from the British.
Facing the seemingly insurmountable challenges laid at his feet when he assumed the presidency last June 30th, President Benigno Aquino III cannot be faulted for perhaps feeling that indeed his very soul is being tried and tested. It is clear that he needs all the help he can get. It is, therefore, no time for “sunshine patriots” nor “summer soldiers”.
Those who luxuriated in the euphoria of P. Noy’s victory last May must now buckle down to help him carry out the program he promised the nation in the last campaign. Those appointed to cabinet posts and other positions in government must truly get in sync with the values of honesty and transparency articulated by P. Noy at his inaugural address. And perhaps, just as important, they need to demonstrate an ability to institute policies and programs that effectively solve the country’s many problems.
For President Aquino to be effective and successful he must continue to enjoy the trust and confidence of the Filipino nation and this is most enhanced when the people he has appointed to positions of power and influence operate with integrity and perform their duties to the utmost levels of efficiency possible.
There is another group of people who need to take heed and do some soul searching: those who were late term appointees of ex- president Arroyo. They need to ask themselves, first, if they are indeed qualified for the positions to which they were appointed. Second, understanding that there is a new president in place, are they prepared to fully and faithfully adhere to the standards for honesty that P.Noy has outlined? Or were they merely appointed to their positions as a reward for their pasts “service” to the Arroyos? They must ask if they are in their positions now to serve as minions in the Arroyo “rear guard” plot to help frustrate any efforts at holding the past president and her family accountable for alleged crimes of wanton graft and plunder. And if this so then they need to do the right and honorable thing and relinquish their positions so that President Aquino is able to appoint people he trusts will do the jobs to his expectations.
This is most especially true of Renato C. Corona, appointed by Arroyo to the post of chief justice of the Supreme Court a mere few days before the end of her term. In his role as head of the country’s highest judicial body he is in a position to impede and mitigate legal actions that might tend to adversely affect the person who appointed him to his lofty post. Here the matter of delicadeza, at the very least, is at play. But more than that, it is important for the country to not have any doubts that the high court will act with true justice and not serve as the “shield of last resort” for the Arroyo crowd. This is especially critical when one considers the fact that the other 14 justices of the Supreme Court also owe their jobs to ex-president Arroyo. By resigning his post and affording the new president the opportunity to appoint a chief justice not beholden to the Arroyos, our Mr. Corona would be doing his country a great service; by voluntarily relinquishing his post he would then deserve the image he wants the country to have of him as a man of integrity and honor.
Those who voted for President Aquino with the expectation that he will usher in an era of clean and effective government must understand that their support for the president’s programs and policies is perhaps even more crucial now. They must be wary of the capacity of those who benefited from a corrupt structure to try and cling to their gains and undermine any efforts to transform our government and society. And for those who did not vote for him it is important to recognize that an honest, transparent and effective government benefits all of us.
It is time for the “sunshine patriots” and “summer soldiers” to transform themselves into the ditch diggers and bricklayers that will, it is hoped, build that edifice that will survive the chilling onslaughts of the cruel winters of graft, corruption and political obstructionism that will surely come to try and test the nation’s soul.
ldq44@aol.com
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Go for it, P-Noy!
AS A MATTER OF FACT By Sara Soliven De Guzman (The Philippine Star) Updated July 05, 2010 12:00 AM
The march to victory is compounded with many scents, among them the odor of stale sweat and urine, mingled with the fragrance of fresh brewed coffee as we begin the dawn of a new day.
Everyone today carries a ray of hope. It is indeed a fresh start for the Filipinos who see through the spirit and good moral ground of our new leader. Many will continue to compare him to his parents but he should not be burdened or distracted by these fancies. Just stay in the right course P-Noy – focus and strive hard. I am sure your parents are proud of you. Don’t hesitate to do what is good. Just do it!
It is clear that P-Noy wants to lead by example. On the day of his inauguration on his way from his home to Malacañang Palace, he stopped at every intersection and respected the traffic light. Contrary to many critics saying that he should not have stopped and that it was clear that there was no traffic, I think P-Noy just wanted to make a statement – that we should follow every rule, every regulation and every law of the land. This message was carried over at the Quirino grandstand when proper protocol was observed giving no one, not even the family or close friends the chance to appear superior or grandstanding during the ceremony. Celebrities came looking resplendent in their fabulous gowns but chose to remain quiet as they joined the rest of the guests in the bleachers and enjoyed the rare experience. Even the James Yap and Kris Aquino issue was hushed. We also noticed his girlfriend Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad seated quietly in the background while watching the proceedings. P-Noy’s family did not loiter around Malacañang either. They were there just to show their support and then left quietly when it was time for him to do the symbolical climb of the stairs to the palace.
His best clincher during his inaugural speech was “wala nang wang-wang” and counter flow. I pray that he keeps this promise and make sure that every government official submit to this rule or else, he should have these greedy, self-centered imbeciles punished. We must learn to follow the law. We have been spoiled and have developed arrogance because of it.
P-Noy’s speech signified transformation, perseverance, unity and hope. Our political scene, indeed, is fatally flawed by an oligarchy that arrogantly refuses to recognize the merits of social justice and social mobility. What used to be sought as the “common will” is now a limp rag of accommodation. We have self-serving officials who lack decency, honesty, good management and protocol. It is time they learn how to lead and be of service to the public. Selflessness and simplicity is the key. I guess purging and cleansing is the first step. And this is what P-Noy wants to teach us.
* * *
P-Noy, the Filipinos have greeted and welcomed you with open arms. It is rare to have a crowd coming from different social backgrounds, from all walks of life gravitate to listen to the words of the new president. Take advantage of this momentous time to lead us toward the right path. It may be difficult and unpopular but bear in mind that pleasing will not help either.
Let justice be done – not mindless retribution. However, there can be compromise with the requirements that accounts be squared and all debts paid. Those who bullied, murdered and destroyed lives and “salvaged” must face the music. As my father once quipped: “We never resolved the issue of collaboration with the Japanese, to face this painful dilemma and scotch the snake, and therefore doomed our generation to “collaboration”, “turncoatism” and surrender of principles for convenience as a way of life”.
Let us restore delicadeza and palabra de honor, those grand old concepts of the Old Filipino, to our vocabulary. Let justice be even-handed but remorseless and not blind.
You are now officially on probation. People wonder what work ethics you will have. I pray that you lead by example even if you need to do so with an iron fist, just to get things done! You will need both physical and spiritual strength as you head into the stormy seas. In this voyage which you cast off today, the press and the media will be supportive as it can. But no “honeymoon” lasts forever.
I hope that in the weeks, months and years to come, P-Noy will always remember that we are on the same side – wanting what is best for the country. The journey may be rough, uncomfortable, relations may turn sour, but we wish him well. Our impatience for him to succeed must not be misconstrued as obstructionism. We will be cooperative, but we will never be sycophantic.
The President’s worst enemies will be those who flatter him. Beware of them! They caress the ruler’s ego and simper at his feet because they want something from him. They will unman and destroy him more effectively than a thousand critics.
Then there are the bearers of false tales – the Bulong brigade. They will cleverly manipulate his thoughts in malicious ways. They will add to the confusion of our newly installed Chief Executive. May he remain focused and in control of his decisions.
Finally, I trust that the people in his cabinet will stay on track and not grandstand. They should follow his lead on good governance. They should do good work and not embarrass the President by their machinations.
Remember: Hiring an individual is not the President’s only function. Firing him when he goes wrong – however it may hurt the President emotionally and personally – can be even more important. As Abe Lincoln said, “Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”
You have won the first battle – the elections. You have already won the second battle – winning the hearts of men. Gaining the respect of the people and making them listen to you is difficult to achieve but you already have this advantage. Don’t destroy it. You have more battles to fight and we wish you luck. You will need it. And yes, you are right P-Noy, your kalbaryo has begun!
The march to victory is compounded with many scents, among them the odor of stale sweat and urine, mingled with the fragrance of fresh brewed coffee as we begin the dawn of a new day.
Everyone today carries a ray of hope. It is indeed a fresh start for the Filipinos who see through the spirit and good moral ground of our new leader. Many will continue to compare him to his parents but he should not be burdened or distracted by these fancies. Just stay in the right course P-Noy – focus and strive hard. I am sure your parents are proud of you. Don’t hesitate to do what is good. Just do it!
It is clear that P-Noy wants to lead by example. On the day of his inauguration on his way from his home to Malacañang Palace, he stopped at every intersection and respected the traffic light. Contrary to many critics saying that he should not have stopped and that it was clear that there was no traffic, I think P-Noy just wanted to make a statement – that we should follow every rule, every regulation and every law of the land. This message was carried over at the Quirino grandstand when proper protocol was observed giving no one, not even the family or close friends the chance to appear superior or grandstanding during the ceremony. Celebrities came looking resplendent in their fabulous gowns but chose to remain quiet as they joined the rest of the guests in the bleachers and enjoyed the rare experience. Even the James Yap and Kris Aquino issue was hushed. We also noticed his girlfriend Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad seated quietly in the background while watching the proceedings. P-Noy’s family did not loiter around Malacañang either. They were there just to show their support and then left quietly when it was time for him to do the symbolical climb of the stairs to the palace.
His best clincher during his inaugural speech was “wala nang wang-wang” and counter flow. I pray that he keeps this promise and make sure that every government official submit to this rule or else, he should have these greedy, self-centered imbeciles punished. We must learn to follow the law. We have been spoiled and have developed arrogance because of it.
P-Noy’s speech signified transformation, perseverance, unity and hope. Our political scene, indeed, is fatally flawed by an oligarchy that arrogantly refuses to recognize the merits of social justice and social mobility. What used to be sought as the “common will” is now a limp rag of accommodation. We have self-serving officials who lack decency, honesty, good management and protocol. It is time they learn how to lead and be of service to the public. Selflessness and simplicity is the key. I guess purging and cleansing is the first step. And this is what P-Noy wants to teach us.
* * *
P-Noy, the Filipinos have greeted and welcomed you with open arms. It is rare to have a crowd coming from different social backgrounds, from all walks of life gravitate to listen to the words of the new president. Take advantage of this momentous time to lead us toward the right path. It may be difficult and unpopular but bear in mind that pleasing will not help either.
Let justice be done – not mindless retribution. However, there can be compromise with the requirements that accounts be squared and all debts paid. Those who bullied, murdered and destroyed lives and “salvaged” must face the music. As my father once quipped: “We never resolved the issue of collaboration with the Japanese, to face this painful dilemma and scotch the snake, and therefore doomed our generation to “collaboration”, “turncoatism” and surrender of principles for convenience as a way of life”.
Let us restore delicadeza and palabra de honor, those grand old concepts of the Old Filipino, to our vocabulary. Let justice be even-handed but remorseless and not blind.
You are now officially on probation. People wonder what work ethics you will have. I pray that you lead by example even if you need to do so with an iron fist, just to get things done! You will need both physical and spiritual strength as you head into the stormy seas. In this voyage which you cast off today, the press and the media will be supportive as it can. But no “honeymoon” lasts forever.
I hope that in the weeks, months and years to come, P-Noy will always remember that we are on the same side – wanting what is best for the country. The journey may be rough, uncomfortable, relations may turn sour, but we wish him well. Our impatience for him to succeed must not be misconstrued as obstructionism. We will be cooperative, but we will never be sycophantic.
The President’s worst enemies will be those who flatter him. Beware of them! They caress the ruler’s ego and simper at his feet because they want something from him. They will unman and destroy him more effectively than a thousand critics.
Then there are the bearers of false tales – the Bulong brigade. They will cleverly manipulate his thoughts in malicious ways. They will add to the confusion of our newly installed Chief Executive. May he remain focused and in control of his decisions.
Finally, I trust that the people in his cabinet will stay on track and not grandstand. They should follow his lead on good governance. They should do good work and not embarrass the President by their machinations.
Remember: Hiring an individual is not the President’s only function. Firing him when he goes wrong – however it may hurt the President emotionally and personally – can be even more important. As Abe Lincoln said, “Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”
You have won the first battle – the elections. You have already won the second battle – winning the hearts of men. Gaining the respect of the people and making them listen to you is difficult to achieve but you already have this advantage. Don’t destroy it. You have more battles to fight and we wish you luck. You will need it. And yes, you are right P-Noy, your kalbaryo has begun!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Perhaps There is Hope
Though perched overseas and several thousand miles away from the scene, the internet has been an excellent tool for keeping abreast of events back home. Access to the Philippine Star, Sunstar and GoldstarDailyNews.com, among others, helps transport me right into the midst of the action, it seems. So real in fact the connection that as I watched President Aquino delivering his inaugural speech and saw all those terno-clad, primly dressed Filipina ladies frantically fanning themselves, I could almost feel the sagging humidity, and the scent of imported perfumery that surely must have permeated the air.
In the past, I expressed grave doubts as to whether in fact Benigno Aquino III had it in him to truly provide the leadership needed to transform our country, to get it moving on the road to prosperity and a true functioning democracy. I once surmised that his honesty, integrity and incorruptibility alone would not necessarily be sufficient to address and rectify the grave problems we face. I was openly concerned that he would replicate his late mother’s tenure which some would characterize as one stagnated in a quagmire of incompetence. And I know I am not alone in fearing that once again all the best intentions of an honest man would be subverted by the corrupt influence of friends and relatives. Those who, in his mother’s time, did some of what the Marcoses and his predecessors did which was to use the power of the president’s office to advance their financial interests to the detriment of the nation’s well being. They undermined Cory’s integrity and promises of clean governance; would they do the same to Noynoy? Would President Aquino II be strong enough to enforce his will and obtain compliance to his demands for honesty and service? Yes, indeed, I was a skeptic.
Then I listened to the President’s inaugural address delivered mostly in Pilipino.I listened not only to his words but also to the way he expressed his views. What came thru was what some 15 million Filipino voters all over the country saw that I did not see before. I heard a man who is forthright, sincere and has the humility to recognize that what lies ahead for him and our country is a daunting and extremely challenging task. He knows he has to reverse decades of corruption and incompetent government and the culture that this engendered. Before listening to his speech I expected to be underwhelmed. After hearing him I ended up being inspired.
As if to reinforce my new found hope induced euphoria, I read a June 30 column by Randy David that, frankly, should be made a “must read” for all government employees especially those recently brought on to carry out the Aquino program. In fact President Aquino should have David’s column reprinted and handed out, first to his cabinet at their next meeting, and then to all the department heads and other honchos who have anything to do with providing service to the public. It is a simple, yet clear, roadmap that leads to the restoration of faith in our government. The one advice he offers that really left an impression is:
“Observe delicadeza even if you know you will never be jailed for violating it. This Spanish word, which has found its way into our culture, is just another word for ethical conduct. The penalty for lack of delicadeza is not imprisonment; for a president, it is worse: the withdrawal of public esteem. Perhaps no one knows this better by now than your immediate predecessor.”
Very directly and simply stated, yet so powerful.
If President Aquino has truly inspired the nation to help him carry out his vision; if his cabinet and other appointees adhere to the mandate he has emphatically articulated, then perhaps, there is yet hope.
And if there are journalists and opinion makers like Randy David and whose work is read and heeded by those in government, business and the media, then there surely is hope.
Blog : http://ldq1944.blogspot.com
Email : ldq44@aol.com
In the past, I expressed grave doubts as to whether in fact Benigno Aquino III had it in him to truly provide the leadership needed to transform our country, to get it moving on the road to prosperity and a true functioning democracy. I once surmised that his honesty, integrity and incorruptibility alone would not necessarily be sufficient to address and rectify the grave problems we face. I was openly concerned that he would replicate his late mother’s tenure which some would characterize as one stagnated in a quagmire of incompetence. And I know I am not alone in fearing that once again all the best intentions of an honest man would be subverted by the corrupt influence of friends and relatives. Those who, in his mother’s time, did some of what the Marcoses and his predecessors did which was to use the power of the president’s office to advance their financial interests to the detriment of the nation’s well being. They undermined Cory’s integrity and promises of clean governance; would they do the same to Noynoy? Would President Aquino II be strong enough to enforce his will and obtain compliance to his demands for honesty and service? Yes, indeed, I was a skeptic.
Then I listened to the President’s inaugural address delivered mostly in Pilipino.I listened not only to his words but also to the way he expressed his views. What came thru was what some 15 million Filipino voters all over the country saw that I did not see before. I heard a man who is forthright, sincere and has the humility to recognize that what lies ahead for him and our country is a daunting and extremely challenging task. He knows he has to reverse decades of corruption and incompetent government and the culture that this engendered. Before listening to his speech I expected to be underwhelmed. After hearing him I ended up being inspired.
As if to reinforce my new found hope induced euphoria, I read a June 30 column by Randy David that, frankly, should be made a “must read” for all government employees especially those recently brought on to carry out the Aquino program. In fact President Aquino should have David’s column reprinted and handed out, first to his cabinet at their next meeting, and then to all the department heads and other honchos who have anything to do with providing service to the public. It is a simple, yet clear, roadmap that leads to the restoration of faith in our government. The one advice he offers that really left an impression is:
“Observe delicadeza even if you know you will never be jailed for violating it. This Spanish word, which has found its way into our culture, is just another word for ethical conduct. The penalty for lack of delicadeza is not imprisonment; for a president, it is worse: the withdrawal of public esteem. Perhaps no one knows this better by now than your immediate predecessor.”
Very directly and simply stated, yet so powerful.
If President Aquino has truly inspired the nation to help him carry out his vision; if his cabinet and other appointees adhere to the mandate he has emphatically articulated, then perhaps, there is yet hope.
And if there are journalists and opinion makers like Randy David and whose work is read and heeded by those in government, business and the media, then there surely is hope.
Blog : http://ldq1944.blogspot.com
Email : ldq44@aol.com
Friday, July 2, 2010
Decency and the presidency
By Randy David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:30:00 06/30/2010
TODAY BELONGS, OF COURSE, TO OUR NEW president, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. That means it is also the first day we don’t have Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president. What a great difference that realization instantly brings! It is as if a heavy curtain of demoralization is suddenly drawn, and quickly we regain our bearings. Once more we can see our strengths and look to the future with hope. There is buoyancy around us, and we feel there is almost nothing we cannot do from hereon to make things better for the nation. As the new president tersely put it in his inaugural speech: “We can dream again.”
Every change in government brings with it such a moment of tremendous energy. Tapping this surge of spiritual force, a nation can dramatically rebuild itself. But great expectations also accompany transitions like this. President Noy knows this only too well. He first saw it when fateful events made his mother president of the country in 1986. He has said that he will do his best to turn the country around in the next six years, but he also warns that he is not a superman. He need not worry.
Contrary to the general view, I think our people have been conditioned by successive failures of government not to expect much from their leaders. They are aware that no government can possibly conquer poverty overnight, and so they have learned how to cope with extreme deprivation. Indeed they have lived as if government did not exist. They also know how corruption has become so widespread in our society that it may take at least a whole generation to purge it from the system and from ourselves. No, they do not expect P-Noy to weave miracles in the next six years.
But this they expect from those who govern them: responsiveness and, above all, decency.
That means basically: don’t lie, don’t steal and don’t cheat. Don’t enrich yourself while in office. Follow the spirit of the law, more than its letter. Do not ask your lawyers for advice on how to interpret the law in order to get what you want. Ask them rather what is right and what is just.
Talk to the people and listen to them. Take time to converse with the youth, know their dreams and anxieties. Live and travel simply, remembering always that it’s the people’s money you’re using. Work hard, but be frank about what you can and cannot do. Public service is a shared burden. Tell the people how they can help the government. Lead by example.
There is a time and place for reporting on the state of the nation, its problems, the plans of government, and its accomplishments. Please do not put your name and your photograph on every public project. These are achievements of the entire government, if not of the whole nation. Our people will know when you have done your work. If their leaders have served them well, they will feel the difference in their lives. Only the insecure will find it necessary to remind them what government has done for them.
Resist the blandishments of people who want to name every conceivable highway, bridge, port or building after your illustrious parents. This naming disease, so pervasive in our culture, only trivializes the admiration and affection that a grateful nation has showered on them out of its own volition. Let their memories dwell quietly in the hearts of our people.
Be focused on what you need to do. But respect the nation’s institutions. They have been battered beyond recognition, turned into personal tools of unaccountable politicians. Do everything to rebuild them, for only in this manner will the people’s faith in their government be restored.
Serve the poor. Look after the needs of the most unfortunate. Their current miserable existence should not be passed on to their children. But don’t make political capital out of their needs. You are not their patron, but the head of their government.
Treat your co-workers in government with gratitude and respect. They are not your servants but the nation’s. Demand competence and dedication, but do not prejudge them. Most of them love our country as much as you do.
Observe delicadeza even if you know you will never be jailed for violating it. This Spanish word, which has found its way into our culture, is just another word for ethical conduct. The penalty for lack of delicadeza is not imprisonment; for a president, it is worse: the withdrawal of public esteem. Perhaps no one knows this better by now than your immediate predecessor.
Finally, you must know that government is not an exact science. As the world becomes more complex, you may sometimes make the wrong decisions. If you think you have made a grievous error in judgment, and you need to explain it to the nation, do so in all sincerity, and without waiting to be told by a critical press.
At the end of his term, how shall we judge a president’s performance? It is difficult to say. Some will focus on the achievement of economic growth, some on the elimination of mass poverty. Still others will look at the eradication of corruption from our public life. I would argue that a good president is one who, by his abiding decency as a leader, makes us all proud to be part of this nation.
* * *
Email: public.lives@gmail.com
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:30:00 06/30/2010
TODAY BELONGS, OF COURSE, TO OUR NEW president, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. That means it is also the first day we don’t have Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president. What a great difference that realization instantly brings! It is as if a heavy curtain of demoralization is suddenly drawn, and quickly we regain our bearings. Once more we can see our strengths and look to the future with hope. There is buoyancy around us, and we feel there is almost nothing we cannot do from hereon to make things better for the nation. As the new president tersely put it in his inaugural speech: “We can dream again.”
Every change in government brings with it such a moment of tremendous energy. Tapping this surge of spiritual force, a nation can dramatically rebuild itself. But great expectations also accompany transitions like this. President Noy knows this only too well. He first saw it when fateful events made his mother president of the country in 1986. He has said that he will do his best to turn the country around in the next six years, but he also warns that he is not a superman. He need not worry.
Contrary to the general view, I think our people have been conditioned by successive failures of government not to expect much from their leaders. They are aware that no government can possibly conquer poverty overnight, and so they have learned how to cope with extreme deprivation. Indeed they have lived as if government did not exist. They also know how corruption has become so widespread in our society that it may take at least a whole generation to purge it from the system and from ourselves. No, they do not expect P-Noy to weave miracles in the next six years.
But this they expect from those who govern them: responsiveness and, above all, decency.
That means basically: don’t lie, don’t steal and don’t cheat. Don’t enrich yourself while in office. Follow the spirit of the law, more than its letter. Do not ask your lawyers for advice on how to interpret the law in order to get what you want. Ask them rather what is right and what is just.
Talk to the people and listen to them. Take time to converse with the youth, know their dreams and anxieties. Live and travel simply, remembering always that it’s the people’s money you’re using. Work hard, but be frank about what you can and cannot do. Public service is a shared burden. Tell the people how they can help the government. Lead by example.
There is a time and place for reporting on the state of the nation, its problems, the plans of government, and its accomplishments. Please do not put your name and your photograph on every public project. These are achievements of the entire government, if not of the whole nation. Our people will know when you have done your work. If their leaders have served them well, they will feel the difference in their lives. Only the insecure will find it necessary to remind them what government has done for them.
Resist the blandishments of people who want to name every conceivable highway, bridge, port or building after your illustrious parents. This naming disease, so pervasive in our culture, only trivializes the admiration and affection that a grateful nation has showered on them out of its own volition. Let their memories dwell quietly in the hearts of our people.
Be focused on what you need to do. But respect the nation’s institutions. They have been battered beyond recognition, turned into personal tools of unaccountable politicians. Do everything to rebuild them, for only in this manner will the people’s faith in their government be restored.
Serve the poor. Look after the needs of the most unfortunate. Their current miserable existence should not be passed on to their children. But don’t make political capital out of their needs. You are not their patron, but the head of their government.
Treat your co-workers in government with gratitude and respect. They are not your servants but the nation’s. Demand competence and dedication, but do not prejudge them. Most of them love our country as much as you do.
Observe delicadeza even if you know you will never be jailed for violating it. This Spanish word, which has found its way into our culture, is just another word for ethical conduct. The penalty for lack of delicadeza is not imprisonment; for a president, it is worse: the withdrawal of public esteem. Perhaps no one knows this better by now than your immediate predecessor.
Finally, you must know that government is not an exact science. As the world becomes more complex, you may sometimes make the wrong decisions. If you think you have made a grievous error in judgment, and you need to explain it to the nation, do so in all sincerity, and without waiting to be told by a critical press.
At the end of his term, how shall we judge a president’s performance? It is difficult to say. Some will focus on the achievement of economic growth, some on the elimination of mass poverty. Still others will look at the eradication of corruption from our public life. I would argue that a good president is one who, by his abiding decency as a leader, makes us all proud to be part of this nation.
* * *
Email: public.lives@gmail.com
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