Competence without character, or character without competence?

It has been said, although I do not agree, that President Ferdinand Marcos was the perfect example of competence without character, and that President Corazon Aquino was the classic illustration of character without competence. To my mind, Marcos had character until he lost control of the presidency when he got sick and the Imelda-Ver forces took over. You should read the book written by Marcos' former trusted propagandist, Primitivo Mijares Jr. Cory Aquino had competence too, albeit limited. She learned from the politicians in her family because she was a rich heiress and scion of the political Cojuangco and Sumulong families, and because she was the wife of Benigno Aquino Jr., who was Mayor of Concepion, Tarlac, then congressman, and ultimately a senator of the republic.

We need national and local leaders who have competence. He or she who is at least a college graduate (there must be a law that one cannot run for public without a college degree with 60 units in political science, basic laws, and public administration). Of course, I agree that competence is not limited to educational attainment. Competence should also include experience. Thus no one should be allowed to run for barangay captain without six years of experience as kagawad. No one should be allowed to run for mayor or governor without six years of experience in the municipal or city council, or the provincial board. No one should be allowed to run for president without having been a senator, congressman, or cabinet member for at least six years.

As to the matter of character, all officials who have been convicted by final judgment for graft violations be perpetually disqualified from holding public office, both appointed and elected. And there should be an amendment that such offenses cannot be obliterated by presidential pardon or absolute pardon. Convicted officials, even if there is a pending appeal, should not be allowed to run for any public service, or be appointed to any public office. Non-submission of SALNs should now be explicitly provided as prima-facie evidence of graft and should be allowed as a ground for immediate suspension while the case is being tried by any court or agency.

Today, we see many public officials who are openly with tainted character, with twisted values on such basic principles of morality, ethics, and with attitude that comes in conflict with good governance and ethics in public service. We see many such appointed and elected public officials who have clear conflict of interest because they own big businesses, operate big law firms, and even recruitment and security agencies. There are many who are philandering husbands, adulterous men and women who openly and ostentatiously display their girlfriends, paramours, and mistresses and even hire them as employees in their own offices.

All these public officials and civil service personnel should be dismissed, prosecuted, arrested, and jailed. They should be dismissed after due process and all their retirement and separation packages should be forfeited.