‘The president is the people who work for him’
IN a popular television series, the quote “The president is the people who work for him” reflects a perspective on power and influence, emphasizing the importance of the people behind the scenes in shaping and supporting the president.
The statement implies that a president’s effectiveness is not solely based on his individual qualities but on the team of advisers, strategists and supporters working with them. It underscores the importance of having a skilled and loyal team to navigate the complexities of politics. It hints at the idea that decision-making within the presidency is a collective effort, involving input from various advisers and officials. The president’s identity and impact are shaped by the collaborative efforts of those surrounding them.
I am sure President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is fully aware of this. He underscored some widgets of it during the kick-off rally of Bagong Pilipinas on January 28.
Bagong Pilipinas directives
In his speech, which lasted for a little more than 23 minutes, President Marcos posed questions and directives to the people and the government.
“Bakit naging marupok ang paggalang sa mga batas at alituntunin? Simpleng batas trapiko, hindi nasusundan.” The answer is simple, Mr. President — it lies in the full implementation and enforcement of laws. The executive branch is weak in enforcing even mere traffic laws. Corruption reigns within the ranks of traffic law enforcement.
“The government must lead by example, not by empty exhortations.” Yes, the government should lead by example, not by promises. We can see government officials strutting their power by using police escorts with blaring sirens amid the sea of traffic. Is this a good example to the citizens? When will this abuse of power stop?
The President boldly emphasized that, “Services must be fast. Projects must be completed on time. Deadlines must be met per schedule.” The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas should listen to that. The national ID project is delayed, deadlines were not met and yet nothing is being done to stop it.
I applaud the President when he laid down three marching orders to government officials. “Eto ang aking mga mahigpit na tagubilin sa mga kawani ng gobyerno. Una, bawal ang tamad at makupad sa pamahalaan. Walang puwang ang mga mabagal at sagabal sa serbisyo publiko (These are my strict orders to government personnel. First, the lazy and sluggish are not allowed in the government. There is no room for slowness and obstruction in public service).”
“Pangalawa, bawal ang mga hindi tapat at nagungulimbat. Kapag pera ng bayan ang nawala dahil sa katiwalian, ang mga taong paglalaanan sana ng pondong naglaho ay nanakawan. Sa Bagong Pilipinas bawal ang waldas (Second, those who are dishonest and corrupt are not welcome. When public money is lost due to corruption, the people to whom the missing funds were supposed to be allocated are robbed. In the New Philippines, extravagance is forbidden).”
“Pangatlo, bawal ang mga pangapi at naghahari-harian (Third, oppressors and those acting like kings are prohibited).”
He added, “Tapos na ang panahon ng pagkukuyakoy sa loob ng mga tanggapan ng gobyerno (The era of dillydallying in government offices is over).”
I am inclined to believe the President, but then again, no. This remains a promise on his part. Without the proper execution and realization, it is just empty rhetoric.
The President’s men and women
The qualities of individuals appointed by the President to serve in the government are crucial for effective governance and the successful implementation of his Bagong Pilipinas policies. The performance of these men and women reflects on who the president is.
Presidential appointees should possess the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to their roles. Competence ensures that these individuals are well-equipped to handle the complexities of their positions. However, a number of these appointments were made out of political debts and mere party recommendations.
A genuine commitment to public service and the well-being of citizens is an essential trait of a public official. Appointees should prioritize the public interest over personal or political considerations. Yet, the majority of these appointees are serving their personal interest first over public interest.
A strong understanding of constitutional principles, legal frameworks and the rule of law is fundamental for government officials to ensure that their actions are within the bounds of the law. Still, we could observe some public officials acting their way as if there is no law to answer to.
How can the President build a competent, accountable and transparent government that works in the best interest of the public when he is content with a shallow bench?
If the people around the president are incompetents, then he is deemed incompetent. If the people around the president are conscientious, then he is viewed as conscientious.
Indeed, the president is the people who work for him.