Principled leadership

Let me be forthright, gentlemen, in claiming my masonic heritage. My maternal grandfather, Juan Macaraig, was a freemason. In his time, he shared a mission of exalting the dignity of others just as of his own. And today, we all share a similar brand of leadership – principled leadership.

And what is principled leadership if not the kind that nurtures empowerment? The principled leader helps others discover and develop the leader in themselves and thus propagates a community of leaders – all attuned to the common good.

History opens our eyes and enlightens us on the value of citizen empowerment. From the Philippine Revolution of 1896, which won for us our independence, to the EDSA Revolution of 1986, which restored our democracy, and, again, to the recent EDSA DOS, which redefined governance, we have experienced empowerment as a people.

Part of my administrations moral compass is citizen empowerment and participation because I believe that a Republic should regard its citizens as assets and each, a component of the total national strength. This applies to every citizen who adheres to our democratic way of life, of whatever political creed, origin, religious belief or social station.

All must be heard, all must be represented in the larger dialogue of nation-building.

In this light, I have issued Executive Order No. 168 reconstituting and revitalizing the Council of State. This is a consultative body, bound by a common respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, which will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, foster national cooperation, propose meaningful reforms in government, and advise me on matters of public policy.

Too much is at stake – over 80 million lives are at stake – to allow partisan politics to overrun our country. I hope my not running would remove politics from our national development efforts. Now that I am relieved of the burden of politics, I could concentrate on my three main goals, namely: strengthening the economy, healing the divisions among our people, and working for a free, clean and honest election in 2004.

Since the Philippines is not yet a strong Republic, vested interests continue to play and insidious, substantial influence on governance. That is why we need a strong Republic not only to secure persons and properties, uphold the law without fear or favor, enforce valid contracts and annul invalid agreements prejudicial to the public interest, and provide infrastructure since this is what people pay taxes for – but most of all, to dismantle structures that perpetuate abuse and aggravate weakness. There are gaps in our laws, in our political culture, in our cultural attitudes.

But, more than merely plugging these gaps, we must determine the cause and stop them at the source. This will required a constant, dedicated process participated in by all well-meaning leaders of the nation.

When my father assumed the presidency, he declared: "The task of the nation is to fight poverty." He added: "We must be concerned with the plight of the common man as an imperative of justice. We must help bridge the wide gap between the poor man and the man of wealth, not by pulling down the rich to the level of the poor, but by raising the poor towards the more abundant life."

The mission of my administration is to continue his goal of empowering the poor. It certainly must mean, among other things, working hand in hand to create a climate suitable for the generation of jobs and livelihood through more investments and economic activity. It means building confidence – confidence in our political and economic stability, confidence in our social order and in our unity and solidarity as a people, confidence in our national future.

Fostering this climate of confidence is our foremost task today, as we confront the many crises that beset the world and our country. And as we brace ourselves for the call of the times, let us find courage and resiliency in our inherent moral resources as a people – our capacity for sacrifice, our willingness to help one another, our capability to rise above ourselves for the higher interest of national stability and survival.

Indeed, this gathering is both very timely and appropriate, for it clearly underlines the vital role of the people in promoting principled leadership, in sustaining empowerment, and in building national confidence.

For one, we can break the shackles of fear, inadequacy and weakness through education. It is the means by which our talent, drive and determination are transformed into self-confidence and eventually into specific actions to improve our lives. It is the force of empowerment. It is the most effective counterbalance to the forces of poverty.

A freemason – Lord Francis Bacon – championed the cause for universal education to make this world a better place to live in for all.

Likewise, we can break the shackles of fear, inadequacy and weakness through harnessing our unity for global peace and prosperity in a borderless world. Again, members of your order have left the Masonic mark in various international documents proclaiming that "all men are created equal in person and dignity and should treat each other with justice and brotherhood."

Peace. This is our cry, our call, and our duty. For peace, we shall fight terrorism relentlessly and uncompromisingly, we shall liberate the Filipino masses from the hold of ignorance, destitution and fear.

To build a nation worthy of ourselves and future generations, I urge you all to follow the noble path of EDSA I and EDSA II – enlightening and inspiring fellow Filipinos and, likewise, this administration, to do more for those who are most in need.

With your commitment and support, I am certain we can achieve our vision of a peaceful, progressive and prosperous nation.

Let me end this then with a story from the Sufi tradition: A Holy Woman sat outside the temple watching a tide of people pass. They were the destitute, the wounded, the drunk, the lame and the outcast. During her prayers, she cried out to God, "How Can A Loving Creator see so much suffering, and not do anything to help them?"

God replied, "I did. I made you."

Thank you and Mabuhay!

(Delivered by Executive Secretary Alberto G. Romulo in behalf of President Macapagal-Arroyo on March 14 at the Manila Hotel during the 53rd annual session of the Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and Last Degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite of the Freemasonry of the Republic of the Philippines.)