A DIFFERENCE IN LEADERSHIP CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE COUNTRY

So much of the country's pork barrel funds have gone to waste financing not-so-important projects to gain political leverage and to line the private pockets of politicians. Poverty has been an ongoing problem and keeps the country in third world status when in fact, we should be one of the richest countries in the world because of our rich and immense natural resources. But our leaders have failed to capitalize on those because of their self-serving agenda.

By Marlene D. Howe
12 December 2013

There have been many posts on Facebook regarding leadership in the Philippines. The recent earthquake and typhoon Yolanda that hit the Central Visayas -- and before that the Zamboanga siege, showed the inept ability of our government leaders to deal with crisis as well as their selfish agenda and hubris. Someone mentioned that perhaps our culture has something to do with the way we are. How come then that developed countries seem to be more productive while we cannot seem to get ahead? We are regressing instead of progressing! 

Basically, all cultures are similar from the ancient days when our forefathers hunted for food. Culture only plays a part in our poverty because of failed leadership. Let's use Singapore as an example. The country, though smaller than ours, is much progressive than the Philippines thanks to leadership. But I put the blame on the people in general for voting for the same inutile trapos to the seat of power.

Here's my take on leadership in the Philippines compared to that of our neighboring country like Japan and our failure in readiness:

So much of the country's pork barrel funds went to waste financing not-so-important projects to gain political leverage and to line the private pockets of politicians. Poverty has been an ongoing problem and keeps the country in the third world status when in fact, we are supposed to be one of the richest countries in the world because of our rich and immense natural resources. But our leaders have failed to capitalize on those because of their self-serving agenda. They have not even thought of ways to prepare for catastrophic events like typhoon that has been a part of our life since time immemorial. We are geographically located in a disaster-prone area and yet our government does not have a plan or programs in placed to mitigate losses, recover and rehabilitate. Only the elites and those in the position of power to steal from the people get richer and the majority gets poorer.

There's a big difference between Japan and the Philippines. That is LEADERSHIP! I can't help compare the two countries because while Japan was able to rise up amidst the rubble of war and became an economic power, the Philippines in contrast, remains in the pit of misery. Japan also has emergency programs worth emulating. We have seen that during the tsunami and Fukushima disaster. The world saw how calm and organized their recovery methods are and there are designated refugee centers throughout the country with well-stocked emergency supplies.

In comparison to the Philippines, kung kelan tayo may calamity saka pa lang tayo mangangapa! (We prepare for calamity when it's there.) The recent typhoon Yolanda proved our inability to handle crisis once more. And though we received a lot of foreign donations, many of them were left rotting in the warehouse and many were sold to the grocery stores. Chaos and pandemonium in the aftermath of the typhoon went out of control because our politicians were busy in power tripping and finger-pointing.

Incidentally, I have said the same thing many times in the past comparing the Japanese leaders to our kapit-tuko disgraced politicians. Japanese leaders embroiled in disgraceful controversy commit hara-kiri or seppuku (suicide) while ours keep the status quo and lie to their teeth. Sila na ang may kasalanan, sila pa ang galit! I don't advocate suicide as it is a sin in many religious beliefs and culture. But at least, they should have the decency to resign from their post for the good of the country so our leaders can focus on other important issues. Japanese people also don't vote for someone with known questionable background unlike the Filipinos who keep voting for the same corrupt trapos and unqualified and inutile celebrities or political dynasty for a measly sum or celebrity status. 

The Filipino voters can't seem to separate personal admiration or adulation of the celebrity from the qualities of a true public servants. This has been the cycle that our people seem to be uninterested to change. Complacency and apathy became the norm. Our current desolate state is the manifestation of our reckless and "bahala na" attitude. Change comes from within! If we change our mindset, we can affect TRUE CHANGE by voting for the right reason and not for selfish reason. Vote for the right candidates because you know and you believe these people have honest desire to serve the people. If the candidate/s turned out to be corrupt or inept, don't vote for that person again. If we do this, our politicians will be more conscientious in their job knowing that come next election they will be out of job. We, the people have that power to hire and fire public servants. Let's be conscientious and not sell our votes. This is what PATRIOTISM is all about! Show love for the country by doing the right thing. 

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Marlene Howe is co-Founder and Administrator of the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum and of the Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims community as well as  administrator of this blog. Ms Howe is US based but keeps a home in the Philippines.