The ultimate worth of a country lies in the efficacy, non-negotiability, and implementation of good governance.

That is, a country is admired, or despised, or mocked by its success or failure to pursue sound, fair, and just governance.

In short, there is no substitute for good governance as a measure of that nation’s performance, respectability, and credibility.

First, Congress can enact all sorts of legislations and statutes, and in the Philippines there is a surfeit of overlapping, conflicting, and redundant laws, on every conceivable aspect of human behavior from anti-corruption to no spitting or urinating in public places to wearing of seatbelts, to anti-littering, to anti-red tape, to a litany of republic acts governing or prescribing the conduct of civil society, and nothing happens. Why? Because there is no respect for the rule of law. The citizens know that there is no just application of laws and regulations, and that laws are more honored in the breach since there is no leadership by example whether it be from a traffic policeman, or mayor, or military officer, or Cabinet secretary, or businessman, or environmental regulator.

Second, in other countries we are often amused, or intrigued, or in awe at the strict implementation of good governance from careless throwing of chewing gums and cigarette butts in public places as in Singapore, to strict local ordinance on the allowable size of lake fish, or wild deers (venison), and many others that will be allowed to be caught or killed, depending on the season, or else the penalties are heavy and non-negotiable.

Further, the principles and applicability of sound governance range from the petty and mundane, such as traffic violations, to the highest level of government, Judiciary, Congress, or Parliament which have led to the downfall of governments, to the indictment of heads of State, Cabinet members, legislators, magistrates, and ordinary folks without exceptions.

In brief, good governance is what distinguishes one nation from others; one leader from others; and one economy from others.

Ultimately, when citizens realize that they cannot get away from violating regulations, regardless how petty or unreasonable certain rules may appear, and “crime does not pay,” then that nation settles down to an orderly way of life, and the rule of law.

When all is said and done, if the Philippines is being accused of permissive corruption, rampant criminality, human rights violations, economic malfeasance, and others, the culprit is the lack or absence of good governance by example and honest leadership.

You be the judge.

* * *

Here and there

Truth to tell, there are still many establishments that do not honor the senior citizens discount privilege in restaurants and pharmacies which is mandated by law... Further, these establishments not only evade their obligation but also cheat on the 20 percent discount... The Tower Club, for example, in Makati’s Philamlife building does not honor senior citizens cards... Management claims that it is a membership club, and is exempted by agreement with the “higher ups?”... The law is the law, and there is no exemptions... Mayor Jojo Binay should investigate this violation for himself since the good mayor is very sympathetic to senior citizens... In the meantime, while Subic Freeport is booming as if there is no economic recession, there is danger that the once pristine Subic will suffer ecological imbalance as rainforests are ravaged to make way for factories and housing developments... There is a need for a new plan that will preserve the forested areas lest Subic becomes another chaotic Boracay... By the way, another notable vignette about the Maoris of New Zealand is their unique way of greeting visitors... If a group of Maoris with war paints in their faces approaches you threateningly, and puts out lung-busting high-pitched shrieks with tongues hanging out as if they are about to devour you, it is only their mild way of welcoming visitors... The putting out of the tongue is to symbolize the fact that the history of the Maoris is oral and their literature is carved in wood, and not the written word as in the western world... Abangan... (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)