Villar: Bad economy due to bad leaders

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Manny Villar attributed the country’s falling economy and poverty to the people’s choice of leaders.

“My regret is that we’ve never used leadership in selecting public officials in our country. We always choose emotions and popularity. This is why we remain in poverty all these years,” said Villar in his speech during the University of the Visayas-sponsored Leadership Lecture Series held at the Cebu Country Club.

Villar said the trend has always been that way wherein majority of Filipino voters pick popularity over experience and track record.

The senator said the Philippines is still “wallowing in poverty” because “our mindset is of serving, one of being led.”

Villar said most of the new graduates just want to be employees.

He said they should think of becoming leaders too, even if they are “poor, rich or handicapped.” He said leadership does not have to be in politics, it can also be in a small community or in a corporate organization.

“Unless we start thinking as a leader, we can never restore our pride and dignity,” the senator said.

“It’s about time we change that mindset. We can be independent,” he said.

Meanwhile, Villar also shared that he will not seek any political post in 2013, when his term as a senator ends. But he said it does not mean he will stop implementing his advocacies. He said he may focus on the Villar Foundation.

Villar is the second speaker of Leadership Lecture Series, a project of first district Eduardo Gullas, who is also UV president. Gullas said a number of personalities in various field have already been considered to speak in coming lectures, and the school may have Vice President Jejomar Binay next. — /BRP (FREEMAN)