At every facet and point of governance, it constantly comes across a defining moment- a junction between two diverging paths of leadership. One course leads to a government ruled by honesty, integrity and transparency for the benefit of the nation. It considers not vested interests but the common good of the society. On the other hand, another path leads to a government regulated by corruption, dishonesty and injustice. This trail puts a greater weight to self-interest more than the good of its people. These are two entirely different perspectives of governance and it is very disappointing on our part to accept that our government has long strayed on the wrong path. President after president, administration after administration, and the cycle seemed unbreakable. Like a lifestyle disease that is chronic, corruption looks as if it could not be cured. Yes, the Filipino is patient but there is always a limit to that patience. This good old Ninoy quote still holds true. Though good governance might be elusive but the Filipino never loses hope that our sick system will soon be cured.
Twenty five years ago, the chain of corruption and tyranny has once been broken off by the unified efforts of our people to fight dictatorship in a peaceful way. This is the EDSA Revolution or popularly known as the People Power. The newer generations might not remember what happened on February 25, 1986 but to all the victims of vicious human rights violations, to all the lives who have been slain for the pursuit of democracy, and to all the Filipino people who have been ruled like puppets during the reign of the dictatorial government, the bloodless revolution meant everything. It signifies the revival of our nation that has been drenched in fraud, oppression and injustice. It marked the end of one of the darkest pages of our history and brought a beacon of hope to our country. However, it is sad to note that after going on the right way and being cured, the virus that has gotten our system sick before slowly regained its strength and is now insidiously killing it. We need the antidote. We need the therapy. But what is it? Another people power? Another revolution?
I strongly hold faith that the cure we are looking for is change and for change to effectively cure the disease, we must have a deep understanding of what good governance is.
Good governance remains to be the greatest need of our time. Contextually, governance is defined as the dynamic interaction between people, structures, processes and traditions that support the exercise of legitimate authority in provision of sound leadership, direction, and control of an entity in order to ensure that its purpose is achieved. Meanwhile, good governance describes the proper way of how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources. Beyond these denotations, good governance is far more complex for it encompasses the interplay of various factors
Good governance, I believe, begins with choosing the right leaders who will govern us. It starts upon making the right choice during election and exercising our right to vote responsibly. And to do it responsibly is to recognize the power we hold in our choice. We should not let false promises or popularity become the basis of our pick. And most of all, we should not trade our votes for anything because if we do, it’s just like choosing the worst possible future for our children. Letting the ravenous crocodiles buy you off is totally the same with becoming a prisoner and submitting your right to be free. Our system of government is democratic and in a democratic country, people are born with the right to be free.
After then, good governance follows transparency and accountability. Those who lead us must be held to account to use our country’s resources wisely, reform bad habits and to do business in the light of the day because only then can vital trust between people and the government be restored. Transparency, on the other hand, means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. The government creates and promulgates certain laws to keep peace and order in the country but it doesn’t mean that it is exempted from following such laws. It should follow the rules for it is only then that it can administer them to the people. It should also be impartial and should adhere to justice. It should not be abusive and tyrannical rather it must ensure the full protection of human rights. The foundation of a good government must be built upon the rights of its people.
Good governance is responsive to the needs and problems of the society. It must know how to help its people meet their basic needs. After all, the question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small but whether it works-whether it helps families find a stable source of income, whether it can provide housing for the population, or whether it helps care for the citizen’s health and well-being.
Good governance also entails efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency and effectiveness produce results that meet the needs of the society while making the best use of resources at disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment. Without efficiency and effectiveness in the government, it would not be able to respond to the necessities of the people.
A good government is participatory, equitable and inclusive. Participation is a key cornerstone of good governance. But for people to become dynamic and supportive to the government, they must be informed through free and unbiased media. A government that is equitable must treat its people fairly disregarding social status, belief or even gender. Good governance recognizes the fact that equality is more than a goal itself. It is a prerequisite for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building a good government. It must also take into account the views of minorities and that it must hear even the voices of the most vulnerable parts of the society in decision making.
And if the aforementioned attributes of a good government are understood and practiced, our government will experience the revival. Once more it will be healed, restored and corruption-free. We will have change. And change will reaffirm the greatness of our nation. However in upholding the greatness of our nation, we must understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. The journey to the right path of leadership is still beginning and the pursuit for good governance is still an on-going quest.
There might be new challenges and the instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those core values upon which our success depends- honesty, perseverance, courage, equality, patience, transparency, integrity and patriotism- these things are old. These things are real. They have been the quiet forces that have made the People Power a success before. What is demanded then is to return these truths. What is required is a new call of responsibility. The Filipino must recognize their inherent responsibilities to themselves and to their nation.
We are the change that our system needs. We are the doctors that hold the cure and the miracles of change. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the truth and nothing more. This nation will endure as it has endured. It will be revived and it will prosper. We shall individually and collectively seize the opportunities to overcome the quest for good governance. We have already shown the world what we are made of twenty five years ago. Thus, it will not be impossible to show them once more. For we have the power to shape our nation’s fate. So stand up, get involve and take part in the quest for good governance!
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