“Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.” – John Adams
Aside from having the right knowledge and skills for the job, a leader to be effective, is required to have moral ascendancy. Moral ascendancy is the influence that a leader holds over his people through moral, ethical, and righteous leadership. It connects the one governing and the governed. This is especially applicable to those in public office which is considered a public trust. People believe, respect and put their trust and confidence on a leader who they perceive as morally upright.
On the opposite side is moral degradation or the erosion of a leader’s standards of right and wrong. As they say, a wrong deed done repeatedly becomes right for the person doing it. In the corporate world, leaders who have lost moral ascendancy can be removed from their position for loss of trust and confidence. However, since it’s not that simple to remove from office our morally inept elected leaders, the citizenry just show their disrespect by ridiculing and making these leaders subjects of bad jokes, memes and comic relief. It’s sad and pitiful because most of these leaders seemed unbothered and unmoved by such degrading actions and disrespectful reactions.
There is now a growing disgust, anger and disappointment among the Filipino people, from all walks of life, regarding these flood control anomalies . Business communities, religious groups, youth organizations and the ordinary Juans and Pedros have demonstrated and verbalized their protests, especially in social media. Not only because of the billions of tax payers money pocketed in disguise of flood control projects but more so due to the alleged involvement and collusion among the politicians, government employees and contractors to execute this scandal of epic proportion.
What’s more infuriating is that on top of this grand scheme of corruption are the men and women elected by the people to serve and protect the interest of their constituents. It turns out, they are where they are to serve their own personal interest. Some, allegedly, have direct links to the scheme while some, supposedly, benefitted from the “proceeds”. They may come in different sizes and forms, but there’s a tie that connects them to the crime.
These are the same men and women expected to lead and govern our society.
But as Senator Panfilo Lacson aptly put it, “How can you lead when you don’t have moral ascendancy?” It’s not enough that a leader is competent, he must possess the moral ascendancy to lead. Now, with all these scandals hounding them, how can these “involved” elected leaders be successful in their exercise of leadership when people perceived them as unethical and immoral? Without moral authority, these leaders are standing on shallow grounds. Their leadership is like “kastilyong buhangin”.
In the same breath, we now ask, “how can we expect the concerned men and women of both the upper and lower congress, to lead an honest to goodness investigation when they lack moral ascendancy? How can they effectively lead the investigation if they don’t have the respect of the public and of the people they’re investigating? How can they express their opinions on the case clearly and persuasively if people no longer listen because they lack moral authority? How can they command discipline and respect if their own behaviors are pure grandstanding and devoid of discipline and respect?
It is sad to hear the voice of helplessness and hopelessness from most of the people watching the senate and the congress inquiry sessions. While they appreciate the fact that names are being brought up, the big question everyone has is, “will these high and mighty be brought to justice?” Some even already have the answer, “wala ring mangyayari dyan. Palabas lang lahat”. (Nothing will come out of it. It’s all for a show). They have given up. We need to turn around this mindset.
PBBM has expressed his personal disgust on the matter, even bringing him to tears at one point during his recent interview. While some are saying it’s scripted, I would want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I would like to believe that he is sincere in his desire to put a stop to this grand corruption beleaguering his administration. Regardless of the personalities involved. Right now, PBBM is threading between moral ascendancy and moral degradation. His next moves will be critical in determining which side of the spectrum he is in and in cementing his legacy.
With more substandard and ghost projects discovered, personalities named and trillions of tax payers money squandered, the creation of the independent investigating body is top priority. Let’s put an end and stop wasting more taxpayers’ money in the telenovela staged by our “honorable” members of the upper and lower house.
By the time this article comes out, the composition of this fact-finding body would have been finalized and identified. We can just hope that a thorough check on the moral character and ethical standards of everyone in the body have been made. Their integrity, neutrality and principles should be impeccable and uncompromised.
Our country is blessed with rich natural resources and talented human resources. We have all the makings to be a great nation. We just need the right leaders to take us to that direction. But in order to create a culture of excellence, we need moral leadership in all levels, from the smallest barangay to the halls of Malacanang.
