By Romy Teruel
Sunday Post Columnist
Indicators of good life ahead
Good things are happening in the political arena and the civil service. If this continues, there is nothing for the country to go but better life ahead for its people.
The change of heart of Senator Mar Roxas is definitely a shift towards a higher plane in the political arena. I never thought I would see a present day politician in the Philippines sublimate his/her own personal and political interest for the interest of the political party and the people. Mar Roxas has sacrificed his own personal interest by getting out of the race track in favor of Senator Noynoy Aquino. He proved there are still statesmen today because only statesmen do that sort of thing. It's definitely good for Philippine politics and for the country.
Mar's critics are saying he did not do that for higher values or causes. He did it because he was at the tail end of the poll for Presidentiables. Everybody knows that Senator Roxas spent a fortune already for his TV ads to beef up his image. For one to know and accept that the people do not want him is statesmanship already. That is something that many losers cannot do in elections.
Mar could have persevered and pursued his dream. After all there are eight (8) months remaining for him to improve his ranking in the survey. Sen. Jamby Madrigal declared her candidacy but is not seen in the polls. Despite that she is not giving up. She thinks she could improve her standing in eight months to attain her personal interest.
But not Mar. He saw when he had to go because the situation demands. For that he deserves the entire accolade being heaped on him. His giving up was no political ploy so he could slide to the Vice Presidency. His giving up was without conditions for Noynoy to step into the race. It was plain statesmanship.
Do we expect other pretenders to also do a Mar Roxas? Of course not. Everybody is entitled to the benefits of a true democracy including running for the highest post of the land. But if they do for a higher cause then they are all free and welcome to improve the number of statesmen in this country. We need more role models.
Is Noynoy sure to win because Mar gave up the post for him? No one can tell at this time. Election is eight months away. In declaring his candidacy, he also invited all his critics to break and chop to pieces every cabinet and closet that he has to look for skeletons that he might be hiding. His weak and dark side will be exposed and he should be ready for that. His critics will see to it that he will appear the most unprepared candidate to become President.
On the other hand, the month of September is traditionally the month for celebrating the anniversary of Philippine civil service. This year is the 109th anniversary. It is a time for employees in the government bureaucracy to rejoice and be glad for the privilege of serving in government. Not all people are privileged to be in government. It is also the time to scrutinize the kind of service that the employees give to the public because a lot many have taken for granted the true meaning of public service. There was in fact a time when government service was equated with mediocrity if not corruption.
It is worthwhile noting, though, that there have been efforts to transform civil service into what it really should be – a calling and a vocation where only those called are chosen like life in the religious order.
There have been legislations that are noteworthy in promoting excellent public service. There is the R.A. 7160 or the local government code for service in the local governments; there is the R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; there is R.A. 8495 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 that brought about the establishment of Citizen's Charters in every government office. And many more.
What will bring about excellent public service is not just the responsibility of those in government. We need a vigilant public who know how they should be served and would demand that kind of service. Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo of the Civil Service Commission has defined what it is to be a hero in public service. That is, to be responsive, ethical public servants with vision, impact, commitment and excellence. Short of that would be unacceptable.
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