Public service is not a business

Patriots do not get rich. It was a lesson we took away from the Japanese Occupation. Sadly, it also applied during Martial Law. The Philippines was the second best economy prior to Martial Law, at the end we were one of the worst. We do not see a difference between officials who engage in corrupt practices today, and the collaborators of the past.

In other democratic countries there is the concept of “conflict of interest.” Elected officials go to create lengths to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interest. The United States Senate has the following rule: “No Member, office, or employee shall engage in any outside business or professional activity or employment for compensation which is inconsistent or in conflict with the conscientious performance of official duties.”   

For example, someone takes high office (president, vice president and national congress) their investments and interests are placed into a blind trust. In that trust it is managed on behalf of the official while they are in office. The key is that person has no idea where his money is being invested. That way any decisions he makes or legislation he supports will not be governed by personal financial interests. The only time he finds out how he did financially is when he leaves office. Other measures we have seen include stepping down from any official positions in companies and divesting all shares of businesses even before running for office. These are ideas we feel should be adopted in the Philippines. 

We do not have any issue with people who come from successful careers in business and choose to enter politics. As a matter of fact, we applaud anyone who chooses to work to improve a country; in many ways it is a difficult and thankless calling. But, when someone enters government service they have to leave their past business life behind. We have a feeling that if stringent measures were put in place to control elected officials from engaging in business practices and investments while in office we would have less politicians. Politics is not a business, it is a trust. Politicians are entrusted by the public to make decisions to improve the nation, not their personal financial standing. 

The twinned ideas of public service and statesmanship have been forgotten in this country. By public service, we refer to government service. Politicians have forgotten that they are public servants. They are elected by the people to serve the people. Unfortunately, it seems that some government official in the Philippines exist to serve their needs. Graft and corruption undermine the Philippines and retard attempts to improve the country. Politicians and elected officials who engage in corrupt practices are essentially working against the Philippines and the Filipino people. They are placing their personal interests above the interests of the country. There is a word for that.

A good friend of ours once remarked that the Philippines moves forward through the combined efforts of non-government organizations and civil society. Those who engage in foundation work should be applauded. They are working selflessly to help Filipinos; more often than not, shunning personal adoration and even forgoing more lucrative careers and opportunities. Being elected to serve the Filipino people is not a right, it is a privilege and a trust; one that should never be abused.