Unnecessary… and other musings

I have served in government before but I am not a politician, neither am I a sworn-in member of any political party, whether national or local (save of course for my beloved TINGOG Carolinian which is a campus-based organization and political party that trains student leaders on lessons in leadership through actual immersions in democratic processes in-school). I have good friends and relatives from either side of the political fence, national and local, but I am not officially part of any campaign in the coming elections.  

The long and short of it is I am apolitical; not in the ‘politically- apathetic’ sense, of course not (I can hear the protestations of my closest family and friends), more like ‘politically-independent’ (as I answer to no particular party or personality). Even as an adolescent keenly observing political affairs and developments here and overseas, I’ve always greatly admired how Cebu, its province and people, have shown a unique sense of maturity, independence, and decency when it comes to politics. Its politicians, though coming from various persuasions, always seemed to manage to agree to disagree, and co-existed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility.

But what’s happened the past month has been deeply troubling. Things have changed. People can take two politicians trading barbs, we see that in the news almost each night anyways. But when citizens, good and well-meaning people like Elizabeth Francia, Governor Gwen Garcia’s chief of staff, are treated the way she was treated the other day, that’s a different story. Never in Cebu’s history (at least the parts I’m old enough to remember) have I seen such brute display of force on non-politicians, on a corporate executive who’s joined government service to help professionalize things. The video that’s gone viral, one that clearly shows how Ms. Francia was treated by the police the other day, speaks for itself; it was heart-breaking to say the least. What gets to me is how the police’s actions were totally unwarranted (just like the yellow police line that cordons off the entrance to the governor’s office – is that even a crime scene? Who or what was murdered there? Justice? Democracy? Or is that a symbolism, an implied admission that what was done to Governor Garcia, her suspension, was itself a crime?). Again, an overkill. Unnecessary.

I am bewildered at the absurdity and utter fatuity of these moves. I am literally left stupefied. Who are their advisors? I ask because the new and current dispensation’s woes are largely self-inflicted. The comedy (and tragedy) of errors leaves the governor (the one elected at-large) with more ammo which she, I’m sure, will use as she’s started to go around the province where she is well-loved (our maids from Mantalungon and our dear Manang Pelang, our second mother, from Asturias, testify to the townsfolk’s admiration of Gwen… and they are mad at how she and her office are being treated, this despite the not-so-good press Governor Garcia has been getting from AM radio commentators.

I appeal to the powers-that- be, ladies and gentlemen, there’s force majeure and then there’s farce majeure.

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On Carlos Celdran’s conviction:

You can protest, wherever you want, in any way you wish, in any language you can speak, using whatever prop or costume that’ll best send your message across, but please, never in my place of worship. Keep out.

If you can’t respect that most basic and fundamental of rights, then perhaps you have no business speaking up for and in behalf of other people’s rights.

No matter how noble the cause and sincere the intention, if one purposely steps on other people’s toes, not minding the assault on their sensibilities, on their core beliefs, then all is defeated.

The concept of human rights, after all, is founded on the very basic principle of MUTUAL respect amongst individuals, amongst peoples, regardless of race, creed, culture, and political or ideological persuasion.

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On Gloria Arroyo’s reported “best (economic) growth in full term”:

Love or hate the little lady, she did wonders for our economy, shielding it from a global crisis of cataclysmic proportions before it came to pass, and yes, doing so at the expense of her popularity (or what was left of it post- Garci scandal).

Trust is an integral facet of leadership, indubitably it is, but approval ratings aside, she was one of our finest if results are to be the basis. In fact, her successor’s sterling first-year record, despite the failure to attribute, is largely residual from the momentum established during her term.

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On giving:

We have got to give back more than we are able to get.

When will it ever be enough? When it hurts? When it feels good? When you have nothing left?

A good rule of thumb is that it will never be enough (and to never keep count) - so give, give, give - and when you do, you’ll be surprised, you will never run out.

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On leadership and wanting to be a leader:

A more disconcerting issue in our world today is many of those desiring to get ahead have no desire to help others get ahead.

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On moving on... out of one’s comfort zone:

People are often afraid to move on, to venture into the great unknown, to step out of that little space we call our comfort zone.

But who likes to read a book with only one chapter? Seemingly unfinished, it could make for a trusty doorstopper, but perhaps, never a New York Times bestseller.

So seize the moment, seize the day, kiss the rain, honor the pain, take a leap, a leap of faith...because this one, onward and upwards, this is the ride of our lives.

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