OR THE politics of Advancing Integrative Knowledge and Initiatives for Development Opportunities (Aikido), as against the politics of Money-Muscle-Areglo (MMA), is one that Bacolod Mayor Bing and his team have apparently been giving much focus beginning this year.
I coined my politics of Aikido from popular Japanese martial arts, Aikido known for its philosophy of harmonizing different inner and outer energies to arrive at peace.
Though popular for its arts of using the energy of the other to subdue him, or undertake deadly throwing, joint locking, pinning, and striking, its founders conceived Aikido as not only a means of vanquishing a foe but as a means of promoting the positive character of the ideal warrior and ultimately of transcending his energies that often cause internal dualistic conflicts and temperamental actions, towards making peace with self and anyone.
It is an art of self-development which could also be a means for anyone, any nation, to follow and arrive at harmony, peace, and development.
The impact of the pandemic is too debilitating on the marginalized sectors, the micro, small, medium enterprises and low-income middle-class professionals, while the economic vulnerability concerns confronting the city are just overwhelming; these are so much that Mayor Bing administration is deeply challenged to give its all, its unwavering focus, great servant leadership and an excellent command of administration and good governance that leaves no one behind.
Pandemic and the dwindling quality of life of the people which cause so many miseries and uncertainties, likewise intensify conflicts within persons, families, groups and society. These are all ingredients for massive economic disruption that could lead to anywhere from social chaos, mob rule, fascism to civil war, if not appreciated correctly and managed well.
These could also be ingredients for exercising best practices and lessons in good governance to address key issues and concerns of public interests, of conflicts management and resolution, towards improving quality of life and relations of all, strengthening our humanity in the way of a just, inclusive, transformative and lasting peace.
Mayor Bing and his governance team are fully cognizant and observant of the criticalness of the current conjunctural situation, where any or all its moves could make or break not only its administration but the very foundations of our Bacolod society.
I am glad that it is pursuing the path of peace, the art of converging and harmonizing different
energies and initiatives in the city in the ways of Aikido, and clenching all in the politics of Aikido.
I believe it is in the right path and administration by pursuing the challenges of good governance, programs and projects, the demands for better management of the pandemic, and no less in integrating the civil society organizations (CSOs), people's organizations (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) development initiatives.
I likewise commend the mayor and his team for getting the affirmation and appreciation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other social institutions for the sensical and effective response to new Covid spikes and containing the problem at a manageable level.
The city government's ways of governance guided by the politics of Aikido will surely make the city reap more successes for its people.
I hope and pray that Mayor Bing's administration will not lose its focus and determination and remain firm and solid, and - unperturbed by the odds of pandemic realities put on governance, and unmindful of the pressures of pinpricks, vilifications, scams, and all sorts of threats of the MMA politics now threatening Bacolod City.
I also hope and pray that the provincial government and the various interests who cling to it, will likewise mend their ways, amend their actions in the ways of peace, the politics of Aikido towards building a province that lives on a true harmony and development, not in the fashion of MMA politics.
To all of you, may the force be always with you!