IN MY last column I suggested just three bold moves enough for the administration of Mayor Monico to prove its sincerity to good governance and commitment to the people especially the least and the lost!
To complete my suggested framework, I hereby forward three bad practices that the administration of Mayor Monico must avoid or at least try harder from committing.
First, having seized the city power for the first time in almost two decades of wishing for it, Mayor Monico must avoid deceit, pride, arrogance and coercion in governance.
It is a bad practice to rule by deceit, arrogance and coercion. A ruler who does that is easily hated by their subordinates and together with the people they ought to serve and protect they concoct ways to bring him down.
It is quite tempting for a ruler to become such especially when it cost him so much to get to the power. For his part, Monico must instead embrace tightly the values of humility and gratitude.
In sociological and biblical terms, humility signifies forgetting of oneself and surrendering to the will and desires of the people and the God whom all good things emanate. In the gospels, the Lord exalts the humble, who does not claim honor for himself. Jesus humbled himself as a servant, even unto his death, in obedience to his Father.
A humble person is always honorable and gentle.
Gratitude is a virtue of giving thanks, honor and praise to God above all who granted Monico’s prayers, the Bacolodnons who have heeded Mayor Monico’s wish, and of course, his family, staff and allies who helped him draw a winning strategy.
Only people who have the value of gratitude can be showered with blessings. As English writer and poet Marcel Proust once wrote, “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom every day.”
Humility and gratitude are the first important values that Mayor Monico and his staff should practice and perfect overtime.
Second, avoid by all means possible to practice the politics of dynasty and nepotism.
In most cases, it is often the cause of impoverishment of the people, breakdown of systems and structures, divisions and conflicts, internal dissension, and eventual demise of the leadership.
Modern republics, either bourgeois or proletarian in essence, parliamentary or presidential in form, sectarian or not, are sensitive to old political practices because they deter the forward march of civilizations.
I can understand how family and kin of Mayor Monico, political staff and families, allies and supporters, who hardly have their basic needs met, or difficulty making their whims and caprices realized, will fight their way to get the accommodation of Mayor Monico. In these times when employment is down, labor sector is depressed and oppressed, consumerism has engulfed everyone, the government becomes the convenient road that people take to get their meals.
Mayor Monico and his core staff should not allow themselves to fall into this trap. I know it is quite tempting especially that Monico’s ground people are mostly those deprived by past administration of positions and support. Monico must handle accommodations and compromises well, so carefully and sparingly, no double standards, without compromising the greater interests of the people.
He should rule by principles, professionalism, by the rules set forth by the ruling state, and with the passion for fighting for the interests and struggles of the least and the lost.
Third, don’t ever practice bureaucratism and commandism of other leaders.
The reason why past administration and other government agencies, have failed to function effectively and promptly in responding to the needs of the people, including emergency situations, is due to overcentralization of decisions, too many people to be consulted, and too many people making money over every paper transaction.
Without circumventing the laws and rules in running the government, and not being bureaucratic and commandist, Mayor Monico can institutionalize democracy through setting up of committee system in every major department and key programs. On top of these committees, a broad participatory council will have to be formed as the consolidation of everything, and where the Mayor directly sits, command and direct. These formations could ensure the broadest representation of ideas and suggestions.
The City Development Council should not be limited to accredited organizations, but can be expanded to include major and legitimate NGOs, people’s organizations, labor federations, cooperatives, OFW council representatives, business organizations, IT-BPO formations, among others. In this way, the CDC will have the broadest and most democratic view and position on various development issues.
On the other hand, Mayor Monico should not rely only reports and opinions of his executive assistants and consultants, but must take extra time, validating issues and concerns, immediate and strategic, on the ground.
He can even make a monthly reporting and updating in a people’s forum or council, so people will hear him, exchange experiences and thoughts with him, and make proposals with him.
In this way, the base of Mayor Monico’s power and official mandate is not confined to the formal city government bodies and the Sanggunian Panglunsod but on the broad masses of the people.
Mayor Monico must always take in mind and in his heart, that the people are more powerful than people in power.
So, three bold moves, and avoidance of three bad practices, will surely make Monico’s administration truly a government of the people.
To date, I don’t see any reason why Mayor Monico can’t do it. He has enough people who have good heart, passion for the people, and good sense of governance. Even SP members possess same qualities.
Or does anyone see otherwise?