EDITORIAL - Foolhardy hallmark of this administration

A photo of Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas taking a spill on a motorbike has gone viral and triggered comments both made accusingly and in his defense. Roxas was inspecting areas in Eastern Samar just hours after typhoon Ruby made landfall in Dolores, and with roads rendered impassable to bigger vehicles, Roxas led his team on motorbikes.

Much of the accusations centered on the fact that Roxas was not wearing a helmet, thus endangering not only his life, given the hazardous road conditions, but also setting a very bad example, being a top government official with dreams of becoming president, himself breaking the law on the mandatory wearing of helmets and of pulling yet another political stunt. The comments made in his defense dwelt on the risks Roxas took to do his job and help those in need.

We will leave the ensuing debates pretty much at that. But we do have a question about Roxas having to be in the eye of the storm every time, so to speak. This was not the first time Roxas tried to meet a storm head-on. During super typhoon Yolanda, Roxas positioned himself in Tacloban and we do not have to remind everyone how that ended. Now he posted himself again in Borongan thinking Ruby would make landfall there. When it hit Dolores instead, off he scooted, and met the minor accident.

The desire of Roxas to help does not require him to be in the eye of any storm. On the contrary, he needed to be safe so he can make right and proper decisions unhampered by stress and distractions. Not that he should not go to where the action is. But he need not be there during a storm or immediately after as clearly such situations call for the presence of first responders, not policy-makers.

Roxas was appointed to his job to make decisions, not clear away debris. That is not in his curriculum vitae. He is not qualified for such a job. He will only make a mess of it if he tries, or a fool of himself, like falling off a bike. Not being there at the scene the first hour of the storm will not be taken against him, if that is what he fears.

Unfortunately, this showcasing seem to be the mindset that has gripped this administration. It is a mindset that has been taken to its most ludicruous height by no less than the boss of Roxas himself, President Aquino. Aquino does not use sirens and stops at red lights on the mistaken notion that this emphasizes his oneness with the people, that he does not abuse his power.

What Aquino misses, as does Roxas after him, is that he is too valuable to lose in the security folly of stopping at red lights. Aquino does not understand, as does Roxas after him, that Filipinos are discerning enough to accept certain things as coming with the office. As their leader, Filipinos need Aquino to be safe at all times, and if it takes to have him wang-wang his way through red lights, or wait till the storm clears in the case of Roxas, then so be it.