From bad to bad

I DON’T mind being ecstatic about getting recognition for a job well done, whatever. But I do mind when we get a sense of pride from recognitions but silent on perceived corruption being perpetuated by our government officials, national or local.

It seems that we have reached a point when we can simply say, “Bahala na kawatan basta daghan ug agi, total pareho ra man tanan, bisan kinsay makalingkod.”

It’s that curiosity that drives me to make a little research on who gave the award because my experience in the past was that awards can be bought in order to project an image of excellence. So my research brought me to NCC or National Competitiveness Council/Philippines.

“In October 2006, the Public-Private Sector Task Force on Philippine Competitiveness was created by virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 571 to promote and develop national competitiveness. In June 2011, Pres. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 44 amending EO-571, renaming the Public-Private Sector Task Force in Philippine Competitiveness as the National Competitiveness Council and expanding its membership.”

It’s vision: “Promote a more competitive Philippine, instill a culture of excellence through Public-Private Sector collaboration as means to reduce poverty through inclusive growth.”

It’s mission: “Implement the action agenda with private sector initiatives that support public policies.”

To promote a more competitive Philippines is a must. But to instill a culture of excellence without eradicating the culture of corruption with impunity cannot achieve this noble goal. A culture of excellence will not reduce poverty but will only further enrich those who are already rich and powerful. Reduce corruption or teach our people to fight corruption and all the good things in life will just follow.

The private sector will always support public policies as long as there is sincerity on the part of the government. But if those in the government continue to maraud the government coffers with impunity, those in the private sector, although not all, will always find ways to partake in the looting.

Let’s ask this question: How do we teach our youngsters to become future leaders of our country? Sadly, we teach them to become corrupt at an early age. We need only to look at how we conduct our Kabataan elections. The old guards teach them how to buy votes, to cheat in elections, and what have you. And you expect these young people to become good leaders?

If I build you a hospital worth P100 million but pocketed an overpriced amount of P30 million, would you call me a good leader?

Marcos was ousted because he was said to be a dictator and the world named him a greatest thief. Today, there is an attempt to correct history by showing us a litany of the Marcos accomplishments to make him look better than the leaders than followed after him. Why? It’s because after we overthrowed a dictator, the ensuing leaders have not shown any difference.

Until today, PNoy’s slogan “Matuwid na Daan” is wracked with controversies and corruption perpetrated by his political adversaries and allies alike.

Locally, we are also beginning to have this attitude. We removed a leader who was perceived to be the epitome of evil only to be replaced with one who is no different but admired just the same for having built roads, schools and hospitals. Never mind the details, right? That is our pitfall.