Six mayors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao urged other local leaders in the country to join the “Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG)” movement, which seeks citizen empowerment, active political participation, and inclusivity to curb corruption.
The M4GG is a movement created by its main convenors – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo, Isabela de Basilan Mayor Sithi Hataman; and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado – to rally support for progressive politics and practices in the country.
During the launch of the movement on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD), Magalong, who was described by his co-conveners as the “heart and soul” of the movement, delivered an impassioned speech on the importance of good governance.
“Corruption is now pervasive in the entire political spectrum, not just among political leaders, but also national agencies. We want to raise awareness on the evils of corruption and the benefits of good governance, hoping that one day, the people themselves will demand good governance from their leaders,” said Magalong.
“[Good governance] is about a politics of hope, goodwill, and understanding, and encouragement, not a politics of frustration, hate, or criticism. It is not a politics of life, but a politics of truth,” he added.
As of Aug. 24, over 100 mayors all over the country have signed the M4GG Manifesto on the mayors’ commitments to the tenets of good governance in their respective areas.
The M4GG itself hopes to become an “initiative to bring mayors together for a greater purpose -- in ensuring good governance and making it an important core in public service,” said Arnado.
The manifesto serves as a blueprint for mayors to follow high standards of integrity and transparency; active citizen participation and empowerment; youth engagement, respect for human rights and rule of law; equitable development, responsible use of public funds and budget allocation; streamlining of services, integration of more advanced technologies; and strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Aside from Belmonte and Teodoro, Pasig City’s Vico Sotto, Muntinlupa City’s Ruffy Biazon, and Navotas City’s John Rey Tiangco also signed the manifesto.
The other signatories were Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares III, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas; Malolos, Bulacan Mayor Christian Natividad; Cavite City Mayor Denver Reyes Chua; and San Pedro, Laguna Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado.
“Perhaps what we want to happen is for good governance to become more than a criteria of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) or other institutions. We want good governance to not just be limited to being a measure of leadership but as a demand from the people,” said Hataman.
Spontaneous beginnings
Magalong said the movement was spurred from talks he had with Remollo, who he considered to be a source of inspiration and with whom he shared the same advocacy, which later found its roots as a movement moving forward.
The talks grew into a gathering of a small group, focusing on mayors, to spread the message of good governance until they were able to hire a consultant who was able to design the program itself.
The launch of the M4GG itself was unexpected, as well as the reception of the public and their co-mayors to the movement, Magalong said.
“We did not plan this to be an organization or to solve the ills of society. What we believe is that if we aspire for change and certain aspects of good governance in terms of integrity, professionalism, transparency and pursuit of excellence in servicing our local people, then we are bound by those principles,” said Remollo.
Different colors, common goals
Good governance does not see political color. The six conveners were, as Remollo described, “not politically tied up,” since they each belong to different political parties.
“We do not have the answers to all the questions. We are not saying we are the embodiment or models of upright government, but at least, those mayors who signed have pledged to make a personal commitment to at least one of the tenets of good governance,” he said.
The M4GG does not impose pre-existing criteria or standards for the mayors who want to be involved in the movement.
In fact, Remollo said the movement encourages those who may have failed or were led astray in their political pursuits to return to the right path.
“We are not here to judge the mayors or any politicians of the government that it should be like this or that because it is a personal commitment. We do not condemn. We welcome those who want to pledge and want to practice good governance,” he added.
Good governance practices
Magalong said that “good governance is not only about fighting corruption, but about empowerment, inclusivity, participative governance, efficiency ,effectiveness, transparency and accountability, and leadership.
During the program, the conveners shared some of their good governance practices to members of the local and national government bodies, academe, youth groups, and media who were present at the event.
For Teodoro, good governance in the city can be seen through the Marikenos' sense of discipline, community, and inclusiveness, which are all guided by a “people-centered” approach in public service, wherein a “project of Marikina” is for everybody.
“Good direction is necessary for policymaking and implementation. You cannot do it without genuine dialogue with the people. Good governance is empowering the people through correct and right information and transparency,” he said.
He also emphasized the value of stakeholding and making a collective stand on what is important, which to Teodoro, can be seen in his resistance to plaster his name and face on government projects and removing them from billboards and signages.
Belmonte, who delivered her message via video, also briefly shared the Quezon City government’s initiatives in good housekeeping, implementing Freedom of Information (FOI) policies, committing to a two-way exchange between the people and the government, establishing district action centers and barangay-focused services to reach the people at the grassroots level; and creating automated services to prevent corruption.
For his part, Remollo challenged the value and use of confidential intelligence funds in governance, citing its excess and non-regulatory nature. From 2016 to present, Remollo said the Dumaguete local government uses zero intelligence funds, adding that appropriated funds that would have been used for that purpose were reverted to social welfare services.
Remollo also said they aim to completely professionalize government services by following a meritocratic process in applications through examinations, and interviews. Civil service eligible employees are assured permanent positions, and job order employees can be promoted.
Arnado narrated his experiences in practicing good governance as a tool to resolve conflict and alleviate hunger in the war-torn town of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, wherein he noted that hunger and economic crises, instead of ideology and religion, were the primary causes of the violent troubles in their region.
“We worked hard to establish reforms like fiscal management, with the primary goal of ending corruption in the local government. We worked in restoring the dignity of the people and created more opportunities for the government to regain the people’s trust. We engaged them in joining the government in fully reshaping the municipality,” he said.
Through food production and organic agriculture initiatives, they began working with rebel commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the “From Arms to Farms” project.
Similarly, Hataman was also able to use good governance to enact his nine-point agenda, covering his own FOI policies, Covid pandemic response, “Teledukasyon” programs, digital capacities and development, and microfinance for women market vendors. They also worked on the competitiveness of the city and became the first and only local government unit in the region to be ISO certified.
Development in the small city has attracted not just more tourism activities(from only having 20,000 visitors in the past to over 300,000 in 2022) and improvements in nutrition and maternal mortality rates, but also reduced the conflicts that would have otherwise erupted in their area, with more than 300 Abu Sayaff surrenderees in Isabela City, Basilan.
“It’s really about bringing to them the services of the government. Good governance is so important in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” she said.
Magalong recalled his early encounters with government corruption from appropriating and procurement of funds, campaign politics, and majority substandard projects.
Good governance was a stance that he stood firm on during his campaign despite varying opinions recommending him to change his campaign strategies. In the end, he won the mayoral position in Baguio, which to him meant that the masses were able to understand his advocacy for good governance.
Hope for the future
The mayors who attended the launch signed the pledge board symbolizing their full support for the M4GG.
Despite the good reception, Magalong still posed the question as to why only a considerable few signed up for the M4GG – only more than 100 signatures in a country with over 140 cities and 1,450 municipalities.
“[There are] several factors. Maybe they are not aware. Maybe they face tremendous pressure. Maybe they’re not willing to give up their perks and privileges,” he said.
Still, the mayor called on his fellow mayors to “use your position of power and influence” and “to seize the moment and take the leap in the fight against corruption and for good governance.”
"I appeal to you, let us not abandon this cause. If we abandon the cause, it is as if we have already given up on the future of our children and our nation,” Magalong said.
Through this initiative, Belmonte said new breeds of leaders who are at one with the public and have earned their loyalty, support, and trust can be born.
“Sa ating pagtutulungan, magiging makapangyarihan ang ating pwersa at sisibol ang mga komunidad na responsable, aktibo, at progresibo (As we work together, we will become a powerful force that can create responsible, active, and progressive communities),” she said.
“I hope we plant the seed now. We may not live to see these come to fruition. But at least our children and grandchildren, and the youth now will be the main beneficiaries of this movement that starts today,” said Remollo.