as seen on tv
Learning the art of restraint
Corruption, graft, abuses and excesses in power happen because people lack restraint. If only we hold back, there will be fewer inequities in our country. If our government leaders can stand before a pot of gold and not take an ingot of it? That’s restraint. If our law enforcers do not wield power or abuse authority for purposes of vanity? That’s restraint. If our tax and customs collectors compute duties correctly and appropriately and give all to the government? Restraint.
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A recent lesson on restraint came to light during President Aquino’s inaugural, where the issue on wang-wang and counterflowing opened up a rich national discussion on how Filipinos (especially those in power) should behave in the streets. With the president setting an example, other less powerful public officials reluctantly restrain.
Restraint in this case manifested when someone in power chooses not to use his sirens and instead put up with traffic woes just like everyone else.
Beyond sirens, restraint is all about a government official’s will not to use his privileges or defer special treatment because it is the ethical thing to do. The ability to restrain when one can liberate his greed through indulgence is the sign of true power.
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Corruption in our country is mainly wrought by our people’s collective defiance of time and effort-consuming bureaucratic procedures. That’s why we tip our public servants to work faster and cut corners on our behalf or we bribe our arresting police officers to buy our way out of the inconveniences from our failure to abide by the law.
We lack restraint to do the right thing.
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Another perfect example of lack of restraint is the propensity of politicians and government officials via billboards and signages to take credit for government, public funded projects as though it came from their own pockets and built for the people out of their immeasurable generosity. The results of such lack of restraint are arrogance and an all-expense paid headstart in the campaign, where advertising more than actual performance, gets the votes.
Now the Public Works Department has spoken: Names or pictures of any politician or personality will no longer appear on billboards of DPWH infrastructure nationwide. Anent to Ilongga Senator Miriam Santiago’s Senate Bill No. 1967, or the “Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill”, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson directed the Regional, District Engineering and Project Management Offices to adhere to the ban.
But is there anyone implementing this on a very local government level? Barangay captains can easily put up these ads in their respective communities “out of their own volition” and “in gratitude of mayor or congressman so and so”.
Remember, we Filipinos have a way with words, and words we use without restraint, to debate and tweak our laws.
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If we are to exercise restraint as a nation, let it not be in little steps. There is no such thing as partial victory in the fight against corruption.
Jun Lozada of the ZTE-NBN broadband mess claimed that from the start he allegedly advised Arroyo cronies to “moderate the greed” otherwise, “bubukol.” In short, corruption should be managed in small amounts so it will not be obvious.
Moderation of greed may already seem like a form of restraint but to end corrupt practices one must quit cold turkey. Greed – even in moderation – is still greed.
And it’s not that his ex-friend Joey de Venecia had restraint either. Restraint is instantaneous, almost like impulse as it is conscience-driven. Restraint does not grow from vengeance. It is not the recourse of someone who did not get the best deal from an anomalous transaction.
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I have always been cynical as most journalists are. Cynicism helps us question everything more efficiently, as we sift through information and weed out a spin from news value – especially with stories involving public servants or public service.
It is our job to exact accountability from public offices and public officials ergo the compulsion to question everything. We need to make sure our leaders are making the best decisions for the people hence we scrutinize, find loopholes and harp. Media is not trying to be difficult. The fourth estate is built that way for the good of the public.
But in recent weeks, it had been hard to stay skeptical as when the nation tries ever so hard to rear a conscience. As a journalist I have been toggling between cynicism and excitement over a possible resurgence of conscience and delicadeza in this country.
For this one I restrain from being cynical.
