Merely two weeks to the campaign period and we now have our candidates are revving up. Some have already made a head start with the tours and exposures they have done since last year. Lately in fact you can see so many ads creep into your cellphone that interrupt your browsing.
Each candidate declaring his or her stand, what they want to do for the Filipino people. Stating, promising, hoping. And with their dreams to serve, is their desire to rule. Yes, you read me right. Because the positions that our candidates are vying for are seats of power.
I once asked a mayor why he wanted to run if what he said was true that there was not much money there. And he told me straight-faced that another fix aside from mullah is power. The influence that goes with the title. The recognition, respect, and authority. And that is what goes with leadership. But aside from these I hope they also look at the responsibility, accountability and liability. Every leader is answerable to the people they are supposed to take to progress.
So the race does not end when the leader is chosen. In fact that is where it begins. As the elect now has to look into his role and review his promises and start working to achieve them. He or she has to race with time, and the realities of what he or she is up against in the pursuit of fulfilling the pledges made. The seasoned will know how to dodge and hedge. The sincere will strive but the passionate will survive.
As I listen to the platforms of thecandidates I note many similar promises. Addressing COVID. Prioritizing education. Providing jobs. Attending to the needs of the poor. Better health services. Economic development. Fight against corruption. Big words. But all the same.
What I am watching for now is the passion in their speech. Who is sincere? Who, behind the many smiles or supposedly empathic sullen faces and even tears really mean what they say? Who is consistent? Who is free to act and is beholden to no one except the electorate and God who sees all things?
How many are truly after sustainable development and does not make the country continually grow with that dole-out mentality because honestly we don’t have the resources to do so anymore! Who has the energy to ran the race and sustain it even after he or she takes the oath? Who had the passion to impassion the Filipinos to take responsibility for their lives and possibly create opportunities for others as well to take pride in hard work, an honest living, and independence from charity.
Who has the courage to legislate against what is popular yet createsthe attitude of laziness and dependence or entitlement. We have existing programs that so just that. Stir indolence, apathy and sloth.
Who is truly after sustainable development where people are proud of hard work, well-earned wages and the desire to pay proper taxes. Oh yes, you read me right again. For when the citizens desire to contribute to their country what is due, this means there is trust, and people all work In a system of honesty.
Let’s go back to the basics.