ENDEAVOR
Sonny Coloma
One of the best ways to characterize our coming national and local elections is that it is a process of selecting the best-qualified applicants for elective positions — from President of the Philippines to city or municipal councilors. We, the sovereign people, are given the responsibility of choosing those who will lead the country’s national administration, legislature and local governments. As the Philippine constitution declares: “Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”
Truly, the President of the Philippines and all other elected officials would have to affirm to the Filipino citizenry: “Kayo ang boss ko.” (You are my bosses.)
So when a presidential candidate fails to show up for an interview or a debate what message is that candidate conveying? Is it okay for the candidate to claim, “I am so far ahead in the opinion surveys, why should I bother to compete with others for your attention and preference?” Or is the candidate duty-bound to participate in such exercises in order to demonstrate his or her capabilities and preparedness for public office?
In the run-up to the 2010 national elections, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) that is made up of human resources executives of some 2,000 companies nationwide came up with a Competency Framework for the President of the Philippines. Five roles were identified, specific behavioral indicators for each were defined.
First role: Navigator-strategist. Steers the ship of state to arrive at the “destination” of a just & humane society. 1. Provides a clear and detailed plan to achieve the strategic goals of government; 2. Demonstrates the ability to work through difficult political, economic, and social issues; and 3. Manages crisis situations to achieve the best results.
Strategic goals would include economic growth and poverty reduction, and these could be addressed with specific plans and programs on a conditional cash transfer to the lowest-income families, infrastructure building, and digital transformation. An example of a difficult issue would be whether or not to import rice. Should the government prioritize farmers or consumers? What about the need to attain food security? Government is all about defining the “common good” in complex situations. The COVID-19 pandemic was a “perfect storm” crisis consisting of a national health emergency, economic recession and an educational and learning crisis. Who among the candidates or applicants was able to demonstrate the ability to lead through such a complex crisis?
Second role: Mobilizer. Leads the executive department. Proactively builds alliances with concerned sectors to achieve complex objectives and build consensus. 1. Appoints well-qualified and honest people in the Executive Department; 2. Monitors the work of his /her executives to see if targets are met; 3. Ensures that the different departments are aligned with the national goal and that they work well together; 4. Able to cut through red tape especially with the local government units (LGUs); and 5. Works well with Congress to pass legislation to support major strategies of government.
This competency emphasizes the importance executive leadership skills in getting the work done through a massive bureaucracy. The President’s choice of Cabinet members is crucial: is he or she able to attract the best talents? How well does the candidate solve real problems of real people? Has the candidate shown capability in rallying diverse sectors to build common ground for the good of the country?
Third role: Servant leader. Serves the people with a genuinely caring heart. Is a good example for all to follow. 1. Has good habits of study and work. Is hardworking; 2. Displays humility and reaches out to all sectors; 3. Has shown integrity in private and public life.
“Good habits of study and work” could be empirically determined by looking at a job applicant’s academic record. Formal education shapes personal discipline and develops an individual’s work ethic. Employers are wary of applicants who did not finish their degree courses within the usual time frame unless, of course, they were working students and demonstrated sheer determination to attain higher education.
Fourth role: Captivator. Inspires unity, trust and optimism among the people. Moves people away from cynicism. Builds trust in the presidency and the government. 1. Displays understanding of the conditions and hopes of the ordinary Filipino; 2. Inspires optimism in the future and trust in the government; 3. Effectively partners with media to inform the public and build support for his or her advocacies or programs; and 4. Presents a good Philippine brand to the rest of the world.
Coming out of a pandemic, it is vital that the next president is able to inspire optimism that would motivate the people to build back better and attain their aspirations for an auspicious future. That’s why the presidency — and public office — are associated with the concept of sacred trust. If a candidate is not trustworthy, he or she would lead the country on the road to perdition.
Fifth role: Guardian of national wealth, patrimony and the rule of law. Ensures the long term health, security and prosperity of the nation and the people through principled action and the rule of law. 1. Advocates and supports measures that address systemic issues of corruption and governance 2. Effectively addresses graft and corruption, specially when dealing with matters that affect the integrity of his/her government (campaign contributions, allies and advisers , vested interests, family members in government etc.) 3. Demonstrates the will to make politically unpopular but sound decisions that will have an important impact on the economy, institutions etc. over the long term 4. Makes principled decisions on matters affecting national patrimony. 5. Respects the rule of law and promotes the strengthening of our democratic institutions.
Sonny Coloma
One of the best ways to characterize our coming national and local elections is that it is a process of selecting the best-qualified applicants for elective positions — from President of the Philippines to city or municipal councilors. We, the sovereign people, are given the responsibility of choosing those who will lead the country’s national administration, legislature and local governments. As the Philippine constitution declares: “Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”
Truly, the President of the Philippines and all other elected officials would have to affirm to the Filipino citizenry: “Kayo ang boss ko.” (You are my bosses.)
So when a presidential candidate fails to show up for an interview or a debate what message is that candidate conveying? Is it okay for the candidate to claim, “I am so far ahead in the opinion surveys, why should I bother to compete with others for your attention and preference?” Or is the candidate duty-bound to participate in such exercises in order to demonstrate his or her capabilities and preparedness for public office?
In the run-up to the 2010 national elections, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) that is made up of human resources executives of some 2,000 companies nationwide came up with a Competency Framework for the President of the Philippines. Five roles were identified, specific behavioral indicators for each were defined.
First role: Navigator-strategist. Steers the ship of state to arrive at the “destination” of a just & humane society. 1. Provides a clear and detailed plan to achieve the strategic goals of government; 2. Demonstrates the ability to work through difficult political, economic, and social issues; and 3. Manages crisis situations to achieve the best results.
Strategic goals would include economic growth and poverty reduction, and these could be addressed with specific plans and programs on a conditional cash transfer to the lowest-income families, infrastructure building, and digital transformation. An example of a difficult issue would be whether or not to import rice. Should the government prioritize farmers or consumers? What about the need to attain food security? Government is all about defining the “common good” in complex situations. The COVID-19 pandemic was a “perfect storm” crisis consisting of a national health emergency, economic recession and an educational and learning crisis. Who among the candidates or applicants was able to demonstrate the ability to lead through such a complex crisis?
Second role: Mobilizer. Leads the executive department. Proactively builds alliances with concerned sectors to achieve complex objectives and build consensus. 1. Appoints well-qualified and honest people in the Executive Department; 2. Monitors the work of his /her executives to see if targets are met; 3. Ensures that the different departments are aligned with the national goal and that they work well together; 4. Able to cut through red tape especially with the local government units (LGUs); and 5. Works well with Congress to pass legislation to support major strategies of government.
This competency emphasizes the importance executive leadership skills in getting the work done through a massive bureaucracy. The President’s choice of Cabinet members is crucial: is he or she able to attract the best talents? How well does the candidate solve real problems of real people? Has the candidate shown capability in rallying diverse sectors to build common ground for the good of the country?
Third role: Servant leader. Serves the people with a genuinely caring heart. Is a good example for all to follow. 1. Has good habits of study and work. Is hardworking; 2. Displays humility and reaches out to all sectors; 3. Has shown integrity in private and public life.
“Good habits of study and work” could be empirically determined by looking at a job applicant’s academic record. Formal education shapes personal discipline and develops an individual’s work ethic. Employers are wary of applicants who did not finish their degree courses within the usual time frame unless, of course, they were working students and demonstrated sheer determination to attain higher education.
Fourth role: Captivator. Inspires unity, trust and optimism among the people. Moves people away from cynicism. Builds trust in the presidency and the government. 1. Displays understanding of the conditions and hopes of the ordinary Filipino; 2. Inspires optimism in the future and trust in the government; 3. Effectively partners with media to inform the public and build support for his or her advocacies or programs; and 4. Presents a good Philippine brand to the rest of the world.
Coming out of a pandemic, it is vital that the next president is able to inspire optimism that would motivate the people to build back better and attain their aspirations for an auspicious future. That’s why the presidency — and public office — are associated with the concept of sacred trust. If a candidate is not trustworthy, he or she would lead the country on the road to perdition.
Fifth role: Guardian of national wealth, patrimony and the rule of law. Ensures the long term health, security and prosperity of the nation and the people through principled action and the rule of law. 1. Advocates and supports measures that address systemic issues of corruption and governance 2. Effectively addresses graft and corruption, specially when dealing with matters that affect the integrity of his/her government (campaign contributions, allies and advisers , vested interests, family members in government etc.) 3. Demonstrates the will to make politically unpopular but sound decisions that will have an important impact on the economy, institutions etc. over the long term 4. Makes principled decisions on matters affecting national patrimony. 5. Respects the rule of law and promotes the strengthening of our democratic institutions.