“Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths.” – John Peter Zenger
With the mid-term elections happening this May 12, we, Filipinos, are given another opportunity and privilege to choose and vote those whom we believe can best represent and serve our interest. As these elected public officials will play a vital role in shaping our future and that of our nation, choosing the right candidates to vote should be given a very serios consideration.
We are all familiar with Rotary’s 4-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? The test is an ethical guide for Rotarians use for their personal and professional relationships.
As we review and finalize the list of the candidates we will be voting, I propose that we also use a 4-way test as our guide.
Does my candidate have a compelling call to serve and protect the Filipino people? Being a public official is not about gaining power, position, personal wealth and self-interest. It’s about serving and protecting the welfare and interest of the people he is governing. A leader should be compassionate and have a genuine desire to serve and help others. They should be driven by a desire to improve the lives of citizens, not personal ambition.
Does my candidate possess uncompromising integrity and ethics? For me, the absence of these in a candidate is an outright deal-breaker, a non-starter. Leaders should be honest and uphold high moral standards, void of corruption and prioritizing the public interest over personal gain. He should be a keeper of public’s trust. They should be responsible for their actions and decisions, and transparent in their dealings.
Does my candidate have the knowledge and skills required by the job? Holding a public office is no walk in the park. It’s not a game show, an entertainment or a social event. It’s serious hard work that requires physical and mental preparedness. They should have a real command of the different issues and challenges facing our country and be able to offer solutions through their programs. Such knowledge and understanding should be a pre-requisite for a candidate to be able to provide leadership and stewardship.
Does my candidate have the brand of leadership that I want to be identified with? A good leader can influence people to move towards a certain direction because they trust and believe in him. Not because he always pleases people but because he is respected and has credibility. He is not after popularity but makes tough and unpopular decisions that is for the benefit of the majority. People are proud to call him their leader.
There are other traits and characteristics that any good candidate should have. But for a start, these are the qualifications elected officials should have if they are to do their job in the best interest of those who put their trust in them.
If you cannot answer YES to the above 4-way test with certainty and conviction, better think twice (may be five times) before casting your ballots. Let’s make sure that every name in your ballot deserve your vote!
VOTE WISELY!!
