Here is another e-mail I received from a youth leader. Again, I hope our friend Andoni Valencia won’t mind if I share this with you, my fellow advocates of good governance. Here it goes…
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Socrates once said that “Leadership is not a technical skill but depends on the quality of the mind and moral character of the leader”.
This great philosopher who describes himself as an “Intellectual Midwife” taught us the necessity for morality in a leader’s character to lead or govern his state righteously and justly for the common good. Many political analysts say that the problem of the Philippines is our leader’s lack of moral or ethical standards in governance. It seems that moral ascendancy in political leadership is lost in time also maybe because we are to blame. Because for the past years we have failed to act and elect leaders who will bring back morality and righteousness in government, bring back the essence of genuine public service and not lip service. Politics is beautiful; it is an art of governance and power. Politics is not bad or dirty as many would say but politics only became dirty or wicked because people running the government made it so. But if righteous men and women are given the baton of power to govern our country I believe that we can wipe out immorality, corruption, injustices and poverty in our government and society as well.
Every election since time immemorial, we hear and see candidates for office hypnotize us with their speeches prepared by their publicists and promises of a good life and emancipating our people from abject poverty and yet once elected all of those promises are gone and unfelt. The masses are left untouched; they are still confined in their own poverty. Still living in the streets, in cemeteries, under the bridges, children are still uneducated, forced into child labor and young women are forced into prostitution for survival in this degenerating and hopeless nation. While politicians are enjoying the good life, their mansion-like homes, luxurious cars, children are being educated in exclusive universities here and abroad. And not to mention the millions of pesos that go to their own pockets. And not to mention the fact that it is the money of those people who elected them to office with the promise of change and a good life.
Sometimes, I ask myself, does the inner moral force or conscience still exist in the hearts and minds of these people? I guess not. Why? Because if you truly fear God and you have that inner moral force called conscience within you, than why do you steal from the people’s money? Why do you allow injustice? Why can’t you stand up against corruption and poverty? Why can’t you keep your word and promises to the people? Why can’t you start and be the change? You profess to be a God fearing person but your life is a reflection of the exact opposite. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a leader who served and led righteously and justly. He walked and ate with the poor; He loved the poor so much up to the point of performing a miracle to feed the multitudes of hungry people. Jesus Christ was said to be a social revolutionary because He vocally challenged the Roman Empire, He set up new laws, preached Truth, justice, righteousness and love for neighbor. He died on the cross for the love of humanity. As well as our very own, Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Frs. Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, Apolinario Mabini, Ninoy Aquino and many more who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. If only our leaders in government will wake up to their senses and see the suffering men, women and children of the land and start to do the change that we desperately need. But let us not leave the task of changing the system to government people alone because we may end up frustrated waiting for nothing. We as a people should unite, move into one direction and join in the crusade for genuine change.
Let us vote and support for leaders who are God fearing, principled, and incorruptible and those who walk their talk. Let us support leaders who do not buy votes or kill for the sake of power. Let us support leaders who inspire us to join him or her in rebuilding the walls of our suffering land. Let us support leaders who walks on the road less traveled, the road of honesty and righteousness. Let us support leaders who will emancipate our masses from poverty and empower them with a sound and lasting economic security. Let us support leaders who will remove little boys and girls from the streets and place them in schools to lead lives who will make a difference in our country and the world. Let us support leaders who will fight and die for their principles and convictions at all cost with the aim to effect lasting and genuine change in our country. Let me remind you that election is not a battle of wealth and fame but of honor and integrity. I know that such qualities of a leader are not hard to find amongst us because I do believe in the innate goodness of Filipinos. Let us arise from the pit of apathy because apathy will only lead to the destruction of our beloved country if we fail to move and change the current system. Let us together kill the social cancer that has been with the system since the time of Rizal and Bonifacio. I believe we can do it, if we act and do it together as one united Filipino nation. To my fellow political science students, Lasallians and Filipino youth, let us be like Ibarra, Tasio and Elias who are examples of intellectuals, patriots and freedom fighters. Let us be true to our calling as the hope and light of our nation and the world. Patriotism and social consciousness in the youth is very important because when you love your country you will not allow any harm or abuse to take place rather you will fight for it at all cost and do anything within your power to uplift our country to a higher place where we can all say that “I am a Filipino” with all pride. Let us be good stewards of our environment and natural resources. Let us care and love our less fortunate brothers and sisters because who will help them if not us? It is high time that we stand up and speak out against money politics, injustice, corruption, bribery, lies and deceit, immorality, exploitation and poverty and push for genuine change, political and social reforms, elect and support leaders with unquestionable moral and righteous character. Let me highlight the leadership of unconventional political leaders who made history in Philippine politics today, they are, Gov. Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga, Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga. Let us continue to support them because we need people like them in government.
Together let us not stop the fight for change until we become today’s Ibarra’s, Tasios and Eliases who are nationalists, freedom fighters, reformists and leaders who serve above self-interests. Let me end with a famous saying of Edmund Burke “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”.
A saying for the youth during the EDSA People Power Revolution reads:
Kung hindi ako, sino?
Kung hindi dito, saan?
Kung hindi ngayon, kailan?
Youth of today, I say, the time for freedom, justice and change is always now!
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ANDONI L. VALENCIA
Junior VP, USLS Political Science Society
Secretary, Issues and Advocacy Committee
Youth Volunteer, Bangon Pilipinas Party
Youth Coordinator, Philippines for Jesus Movement