On the Philippine Leadership's Integrity
Posted on Tuesday, 1 July 2014
On
the Philippine Leadership’s Integrity
By Apolinario Villalobos
The world is ruled in pockets by different
kinds of government. They differ in ideology, as while some espouse democracy,
others adhere to communism. Some are found to be effective, but some are beset
with unrest, indication of their constituents’ mistrust. The people’s trust is
hinged on the integrity of leadership. These are shown by giant nations such as
Russia, the People’s Republic of China, and North Korea, all of which have leaders
who had a steadfast hold on to their mandate because of their people’s trust.
On the democratic side, worth mentioning are the United States of America and
Japan. Command responsibility as the kernel of leadership makes the leader feel
that his being at the helm of his nation could cost his life and honor.
Lately, the leader of Korea vacated his
post due to the sensational mishap that involved the sinking of a ferry
carrying students on their way to an island. Japan is no stranger to this
honorable observance of “command responsibility”, even the Chinese and the
Americans. But in the Philippines, although, the evidences of crimes committed
by government officials would cram the pages of dailies, as well as,
testimonies straight from the lips of their cohorts, they still hold on
shamelessly to their posts. Even the conditional leave of absence while
investigations are going on, is far from their mind. This attitude that smacks
of egocentricity puts the whole nation in a dubious situation in the eyes of the
whole world.
In the Philippines, the justice system is
shamelessly abused by personalities with doubtful integrity – they, who are
supposed to be models of righteousness, well-educated, progenies of some
respectable families whose names even grace the pages of the country’s history.
Unfortunately, they have become the stains of the Filipino race.
Every time the current president speaks
about accomplishment or difficulty to move on, he always mentions the supposed
corruptions of the previous administration. But unconsciously, as he points one
accusing finger at the previous administration, three fingers of the same hand
are pointing at him…his own administration which is cowering due to
simultaneous investigations of his people on the same issue – corruption. And,
yet, he has the courage to ask the Filipinos to choose the right person who
will replace him, a person who would continue what he started. Those who read
in dailies his rhetoric just raise their eyebrows, as they have yet to know
what he did worthy of what he is asking for.
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