Pahinumdom: Public office is a public trust

Kanunay kitang makadungog niini, labina gikan sa atong mga elected public officials. Matam-is nga mga pangulong ang atong madunggan gikan kanila.

Apan, sa atong makita, it seems nga kutob lamang sila sa mga pulong. Ang ‘public office’ na lang ang nahibilin, na-wala ang ‘public trust.’

Maoy hinungdan, nga misiaw ang mga protesta, public indignation, kon widespread anger, displeasure and exasperation.

Unsa may Binisaya niini? Hilabihang kasuko ug kahiubos (gumikan sa corruption). Apan, kutob lamang sila sa pagprotesta, kay pasiritan lang sa tubig sa, mahilom dayon sila. Apan angay masayran  nga nagpabilin ang public outrage ug indignation. 

Atong kutluon kining katin-awan sa Google: “Those holding public office are entrusted with public power and resources by the people, and are therefore obligated to serve with utmost integrity, loyalty, efficiency, and accountability, acting solely in the public's best interest and not for personal gain.”

Nagpasabot nga kon ikaw naghupot og katungdanang publiko, ma-janitor man, ma-casual, o contractual, ma-konsehal o ma-Mayor man, gsaligan ka sa katawahan ug gisangonan ka sa gahum pagpatuman sa imong katungdanan, sa tumang kaligdong ug kamatinud-anon.

Dugang niini, tumong sa imong pangalagad mao ang alang sa kabulahanan sa katawhan, ug dili alang sa pag-satisfy sa personal nimong mga intereses.  

Sumpay sa Google: “This fundamental principle holds that public officials are accountable to the people they serve and must maintain modest lives while demonstrating patriotism and justice.”

Ang ilang pangalagad publiko usa ka dakung tulobagon, accountable ngadto sa katawhan nga ilang gialagaran, ug dili ngadto sa nag-appoint kanila (political patronage).

Sumala sa Google, “Political patronage is a situation in which a person is rewarded for supporting a particular politician, such as campaigning or voting for them. In politics and government, a spoils system (also known as a patronage system) is a practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its supporters, friends (cronyism), and relatives (nepotism) as a reward for working toward victory.” Familiar kaayo, no? 

Anyway, adunay pangutana, kon ang hingtungdang public officials, nag-maintain ba og modest lives. Di ba hilabihan ka hayahay ang ilang pagkabutang? Sa Google pa, “They live a life of excesses, extravagance, characterized by vanity, boastfulness, and a lack of restraint or humility, such as through ostentatious displays of wealth.”   

Sumala sa atong Batakang Balaud, “The statement ‘public office is a public trust’ is a fundamental principle enshrined in Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution. It underscores the idea that public officers and employees must be accountable to the people, serve with integrity, loyalty, efficiency, and act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

Timan-i ni, kamong mag public officers and employees, ‘lead and live modest lives,’ aron magpabilin ang trust and confidence sa katawwhan nganha kaninyo.

Ania ang consequence of violating this trust: “A breach of this public trust can lead to negative consequences for the public official, as it involves the misuse of power or authority.”

Hianut nga dili kini mahitabo sa atong nasud. Daku kamo’g role ug tahas nga magpabilin ang public trust, ang pagsalig sa katawhan nganha kninyo.