What is "delicadeza?"

There was a time in the history our nation and people that our illustrious forefathers acted in the highest standards of propriety and rectitude. There was no need for a law or a written policy to guide their decisions, actions, words and demeanor. Their own conscience and innate sense of what is right and what is wrong were enough to lead them to the narrow path of righteousness. They acted honorably and decently as members of their family, and as parts of the community and citizens of the nation. It inconvenienced them and burdened them for opting not to abuse or to follow the path of least resistance. But they were willing to bear the cost if only to remain faithful to their core values and cherished principles. They called it "delicadeza."

They did not need a teacher to watch them when they took their examinations.  They did not look around to see if there were policemen before crossing the street, nor would they violate the rules on jaywalking. They did not spit anywhere nor relieve themselves against the wall and along public highways. They did not throw garbage nor leave their trash in public places. They would patiently line up to buy tickets for the bus or train or boats. They would not take away the tissue papers from restaurant toilets, nor put into their bags all the napkins and toothpicks. They never brought home the bars of soap, toothpaste, shampoos or towels found in their hotel rooms. They did not steal the magazines in planes and hotel lobbies. And they called it "delicadeza."

In politics, the gentlemen and ladies who behaved with utmost honor and decency, never cheated in elections, much less abused their powers when elected. I could still remember that when our incumbent mayor was beaten by his cousin, he gently offered his hand in reconciliation and even escorted the winner to the public plaza to take his oath. I was brought up in a generation when Don Sergio Osmeña refused to say a bad word against Manuel Roxas because he was a fellow Visayan. Osmeña was beaten by a very slim plurality because he delivered only one short speech to campaign, The only politician today who could be called a perfect gentleman is Congressman Eddiegul who conceded the Talisay mayoralty with a rare sense of urgency, to the great dismay of his ward leaders. That was "delicadeza."

In public service, my idols are the late Governor Kikoy Remotigue from my towns of Argao and Ronda. He used to eat with Capitol janitors and messengers and used to walk from B Rodriguez to his Capitol office. Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr still lives in the same house which he bought when he was Batasang Pambansa member in the seventies. I recall that my first boss, the late Judge Eliseo Ynclino of the City Court of Cebu, under whom I worked as court interpreter, used to return his gasoline allowances to the city treasurer on the ground that his old car was being overhauled, and there was no occasion for him to use the car. I used to return all Christmas gifts to the practicing lawyers and litigants who used to give them to the judge. Judge Jesus Narvios, my other boss, used to refuse any invitation from law firms and big businessmen. They taught me what is "delicadeza."

Today, politicians are opportunists, except a few. A number of judges, arbiters, commissioners, and prosecutors have suspicious linkages with big business, influential fraternities, and moneyed law firms. The term "delicadeza" has been derided as stupidity. There is no more honor and decency. Of course, there are still honest men and women. But they are manifestly a vanishing minority, a rare breed. Sayang.