Bawas yabang, please

Just because so many people do it does not make it right.

I have noticed for some time now that self-righteous arrogance, cursing or yabang has become normal for officials of the Marcos Jr. administration in the performance of their jobs.

Almost every time a particular Cabinet secretary conducts an inspection or surprise visit of a government project or a public utility, his anger thermometer slowly but surely rises and predictably starts spewing “pu**ng in*s” as a reaction or condemnation right in front of the cameras.

Instead of immediately writing about it in this column, I shared the observation with one of his special assistants who justified such unbecoming conduct as a result of the Cabinet secretary’s frustrations. That has never been an acceptable excuse.

Another Cabinet secretary who loves to be in front of the cameras tries to portray his “strong character,” that he is ready to rumble and won’t take kindly to challenges on his competence. Sadly, he regularly gets into trouble for his unguarded moments, resulting in his “foot in mouth disease.”

Another Cabinet secretary has been busy giving interviews and showing his tough stance, calling those who don’t agree with his views as “traitors.” He now makes an effort to look and sound like a “hawk” instead of the dove he really is.

Several assistant secretaries have also made it their trademark to chastise, belittle, look down on people. And like puppets on a string, the more cameras are on them, the more virulent and uglier their conduct and tone become.

In one incident aired on social media, one assistant secretary came prepared with two smart phone “videographers” and aired the equivalent of a mini video on how to rub people’s nose in the ground just because you’re a government official.

He started by pointing out the “crime” of two individuals and from there turned the whole thing into a sermon at the parking lot, to the point of ordering the guilty parties to call their parents to talk with him.

I have seen or watched the same behavior from a mayor who loves to parade arrested thieves who stole from the back of a truck, as well as other petty thieves subjected to public humiliation and shown like hunting trophies at a press conference.

If the guy did not have political ambitions in the past, present and future, I would give a thumb’s up to parading captured criminals. He should at least stand up while presenting crooks or use a lectern.

Even a mid-level official of the MMDA has created a reputation for behaving in a manner that even lawyers classify as abuse of authority. He has unashamedly confronted traffic violators, illegal parking and illegal occupancy of sidewalks.

But because of his rough or brusque manner of doing things, he has found himself in hot water and ended up causing the MMDA grief. 

The common defense is they are so fed up with corruption, stupidity, lack of intelligence or “shortage of brains” or feeling that their authority is being challenged or insulted like they were lords of the manor or señoritos owning a sprawling hacienda.

Sorry, you may have the authority to implement what governance requires but the power remains with the Republic and the public. Officials are required above all to respect persons, whether they are right or wrong with the law. That’s why you have Miranda rights.

To be fair, we all have our moments and I myself need to keep myself in check  because I instinctively go into the defensive/react mode when alarmed or challenged. By God’s grace, age has made me milder, plus the two sheriffs – namely my wife Karen and daughter Hannah – who keep me in check.

I Googled “righteous indignation expressed wrong, results in..?” and the initial results defined righteous indignation as an intense, morally justified anger directed toward a perceived injustice sin or unfair treatment rather than personal offense. In Tagalog: “walang personalan.”

The key point is “something is wrong” rather than feeling wronged. The response or action must be “proportionate and controlled… Action oriented, constructive without malice.”

But when action is “said wrong” or done wrong, the good intention or duty turns bad and destructive, such as “to humiliate an opponent” or a guilty party.

What really caught my attention on Google is the paragraph that pointed to “Faux Outrage (or fake anger): when the outrage can morph into exaggerated or manufactured anger used to score points or manipulate others.”

That is the dangerous direction that the angry performances of government officials is heading to. Faux or fake outrage. Yes, you are angry, but it is a short-term impact with long-term negative results.

People end up focusing on your conduct and behavior instead of your leadership skills and executive abilities.

While manifestation of anger is a common behavior towards wrongs or mistakes, they are culturally of a personal matter or nature, something in the office or a tribe. Once you hold a public office, your conduct is subject to a code or set of rules that demands respect for people.

Your power is the rules and laws of the Republic of the Philippines and not what you imagine them to be. If there is a wrong committed, then it must be addressed in the manner required by law and procedure, not emotions. Pray.