Since PNoy took the helm as president, not only did we find that sigh of relief and confidence but also that silver lining that the Filipinos have long wanted to see from the country’s shadowy past.
Aquino reassured this nation that his leadership would mark the end of the “wang-wang” mentality which he deemed as a symbol of imperious exercise of officialdom as if “it comes with the position” -- a practice and culture that he believed to be the root of abuse by those who would like to think that exemption and concession is inherent to public office.
The elimination of wang-wang promises to be the end of such “undue privilege” long enjoyed by our elected and appointed officials as well as those in the civil service. By eliminating wang-wang, we grasp the full meaning of “equality before the law.”
Hope is rekindled for those who have less in life; that they cannot be anymore oppressed and deprived of their rightful place in law and society. Hope is rekindled once more that corruption can be defeated. In his own words, “No more cheating, no more taking advantage of others, no more one-upmanship – because in the end we will all realize our shared aspirations.”
That's just simply wow! But alas, that's just it. Lip service! How could we ever believe his sincerity to say such words if he himself is unwilling to submit himself the same standards of transparency that cost the position of no less than the former Chief Justice? Yes, the signing of the waiver by Corona may be a part of the defense panel's “theatrics” and dare antics in the impeachment, but why dismiss a good idea if we really are sincere in bringing those corrupt officials to justice or to prevent the same from cheating this nation?
If Pnoy wants to be an example of transparency, he must also be an example of humility. To accept the ideas of his political enemies. Besides to sign a waiver of disclosure does not make him appear like his enemies. After all, what is he afraid of if he is really beyond reproach as far as his personal wealth is concerned?
After all, if it is for the furtherance and realization of the mandate of the law, then why not? The Constitution, in Article XI, Sec. 17, provides that “A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities and net worth. x x x ” so why not leverage it and use it for a good end?
Remember, the senate overwhelmingly trumpeted the call for transparency in their individual speeches and that those entrusted in office should represent the highest ideal of public trust and moral impeccability. The impeachment comes with it a lesson that it is not enough to just state as a perfunctory duty to declare his material worth but the worth of his or her conscience to declare his or her real assets without reluctance for the sake of the public trust.
Now it can still be said that wang-wang cannot be removed in the government if we are unwilling to put new safeguards in the system. The signing of the waiver is just one of the good ideas that we can explore that the former Cardinal Vidal himself lauded. "That is good so that the people would know exactly whether you are placing everything in transparency, especially when it comes to fund used for the project people… So that these politicians could not hide the wealth they have acquired."
I don't wish to dare the president to do a Corona act, I only wish him to eliminate wang-wang in every possible means he can even if it takes the ideas of his political adversaries if only to achieve the true meaning of transparency.
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