Roger P. Antalan
Dateline IGaCoS

COMMISSION on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento suggested last week that the election body pass a resolution requiring candidates to appear in debates so that the voting public could gauge their capability, potential, and eloquence.

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The suggestion, however, is limited to the appearance of candidates for president and vice-president. And aside from formal debates, there are many other ways of educating the electorate. In the past, up until now, the church through the pulpit, the civic organizations, the NGOs, and many concerned-citizens' groups have endeavored hard to form intelligent voters. The media has not been found wanting in this advocacy.

Educating voters is really a very worthwhile apostolate. For one day, every three years, the people are kingmakers. There is a crying need to educate them on the proper exercise of their right of suffrage so that they will vote not on the basis of the ability of candidates to sing and dance but on the basis of the qualities of a leader.

It is not enough to put up on the rooftops, billboard messages such as "vote wisely", "It's time to change," "Don't sell your votes", or short exhortations like "Accept the money, but vote according to your conscience".

Let's be more specific? What is the important information the voter should know about their elected leaders? We will share with you the notes of Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J., a tireless crusader of the EHEM movement for integrity against corruption. It is entitled Personal Reflection Guide For Public Officials. These reflections to be done by public officials, should give us, the voters, a good overview on how to make educated choices in the future.

What kind of leaders do we need? Fr. Bert Alejo started with a quote from Chris Lowney, author of the book "Heroic Leadership": "Leaders thrive by understanding who they are and what they value, by becoming aware of unhealthy blind spots or weaknesses that can derail them and by cultivating the habit of continuous reflection and learning."

Here are the reflections or questions to be answered by public officials: How have I changed as a person since I took the public post? What do people who really know me tell me about myself? -- "Iba ka na talaga!" or "Ikaw na ikaw pa rin!" -- What groups of people feel comfortable talking or working with me? What groups of people find me unapproachable?

On palabra de honor. What is my attitude towards words? To public oaths? To signatures? To documents and contracts? To numbers? "Sa taong may hiya, ang salita'y panunumpa" (Kartilya ng Katipunan 1896).

How do I feel about my lifestyle? What does my lifestyle say about my principles? How do I feel about the lifestyle of my family and relatives? How does their lifestyle affect my decisions as a public servant?

Corruption in this country has been very much documented, and is still being exposed. To what extent am I part of this problem? Do I have unexplained wealth? How do I explain it to myself? To whom do I owe "utang na loob"?

How did I come to power or position of influence? Am I a better public official because of my membership in a political party? How sincere am I and my party to serving the common good?

Does my office promote a culture of efficiency, transparency and service? Or does it tolerate a culture of mediocrity, ambiguity, and exclusion in its design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs, especially for the poor?

How am I employing the new developments in information technology for more effective governance? Do I do benchmarking based on award-winning practices?
Do I have a personal vision for my people? Is this vision aligned with their expressed need and interests? What do I really want to leave as my legacy, that would really give meaning and inner joy to my life as a public servant?

To conclude briefly, these reflections by public officials should give voters enough guidelines to examine the candidates. We really need change. Change can only come from an electorate who know how to choose. Although election time in our country is still eighteen months away, those who plan to run for public office as well as the voters should start reflecting now.

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(November 19, 2008 issue)
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