Are Filipinos willing to be disciplined for the sake of national progress?

Digoy Coro, Batangas: If only our leaders would show the way and lead us by example, national progress would be here to stay.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I guess so. Filipinos are submissive by nature. What more if it is for national progress? What we need is cooperation and unity.

Nobody cares for discipline

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Las Piñas City: No, I don’t think so. Pinoys are generally not nationalistic. Why do you think they change citizenship given the chance?

J. Eduardo, Baguio City: The concept of discipline is totally foreign to our culture.

Gil Balobalo, Laguna: I don’t think so. Simpleng batas, hindi na nga masunod, disiplinahin pa ang sarili? Heavy ’yon, no!

L. Brown, Baguio City: No, Filipinos are not willing to be disciplined for the sake of national progress. Self-interest is overwhelming.

Filipinos are a disciplined lot

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Filipinos are a disciplined lot. Contrary perception only because of the misdeeds of a few is an exaggeration.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Most Filipinos are patriotic. They are willing to be disciplined or to make some sacrifices to achieve national progress; they diligently pay income and value-added taxes, even if it makes their lives more difficult. Filipinos would rather wait until 2010 than do another Edsa, also for the sake of national progress and stability. There are, however, a lot of politicians and businessmen who only have their self-interest in mind.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Of course. The majority of Filipinos are willing to be disciplined for the sake of national progress.

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: The Philippines would not have become second to Japan in wealth if Filipinos were undisciplined. The Filipino as undisciplined is merely a myth invented by Marcos and his American bosses to justify the imposition of Martial Law.

Filipinos are pasaway

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Filipinos are pasaway people. To attain discipline for the sake of progress, we’ll need all the toughness of Duterte and Fred Lim. We need an iron fist to make pasaway Pinoys behave like maamong tupa.

Ed Gulmatico, France: Yes, probably 12 per cent of Filipinos, including the loyal and straightforward texters of this column, are willing to be disciplined. But to wish and expect this from the other 88 per cent of arrogant, truant and fanatical (to movie stars) Filipinos, it’s like wishing for the moon or, to put it mildly, whistling in the dark.

A small price to pay for progress

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Yes and why not? We have seen enough disarray and disappointments: Poverty in a land of plenty; unabated corruption in all levels of government. Are these not reasons enough to look for something better for ourselves and our children? A little discipline is all we need to move forward.

Our leaders must lead by example

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Filipinos know how to obey and disobey laws. We need a righteous disciplinarian leader who will lead us to progress.

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: But of course; it’s only a matter of first showing everyone examples of discipline where it is much expected.

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Constructive discipline is a more apt description for Filipinos. Having their respect, authorities can enforce discipline and Filipinos would obey.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: For discipline to be instilled in the common Filipino, it should start at the top. At the moment, we have leaders in government who are perceived as mostly corrupt. This is why Filipinos are more likely callous to the need for discipline for national progress. It’s to each his own.

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Weren’t we known and looked upon by the whole world for Edsa 1? For me, it is one strong proof that as a people, we are willing to unite for a common goal. We have been longing for national progress. The problem is, we can’t find noble men to guide us. All the time, we are led to the dark while our leaders take all the gold.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Why not, as long as our leaders show self-discipline by example? What we read in the dailies, watch on TV, or witness with our own eyes are actuations unbecoming of some public officials and government employees. Public servants should be our models of self-discipline. Otherwise, our country will soon be dominated by persons who deserve to live in the jungles of the semi-civilized, where angels fear to tread. Let every parent, community leader, priest, educator as well as our national leaders become models of self-discipline and we will have a country headed for progress.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Discipline should be ingrained in the heart and mind of every individual through education and constant practice. If our leaders will lead by example in observing discipline, Filipinos will follow suit and that will enhance unity and national progress. The problem, however, is the poor breeding of our leaders and the fact that whatever they do becomes the way of life.

Calata, Parañaque City: There are two things that we have to contend with. First, the Filipinos’ willingness to be disciplined, and, second, discipline for the sake of national progress. Regarding the first, I believe that Filipinos can be bent to be disciplined, as proven during the early Martial Law years. It is also common knowledge that our countrymen overseas are very disciplined, but many of them backslide when they are back in the country. Why? I think it all depends on the prevailing situation and atmosphere. Just look at the behavior of people in the streets. You’ll be disgusted at the pandemonium caused by undisciplined drivers of all sorts of vehicles and also by commuters. As for the second, I believe that this is a tall order. To achieve this, Filipinos must have a strong paradigm for disciplined citizens. Filipinos must see in leadership in all sectors in government, private entities, NGOs, and even among the religious, the kind of model for discipline that they must put themselves into. But what do we have? Without discipline, will we ever be a great nation again? God help us! I.

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: Starting from childhood, every Filipino is obedient to authority and elderly individuals. It’s certain that they are open to discipline to attain national progress. The problem in Filipino society today is the absence of leadership by example. Gone are the days when we looked up to individuals in our society who are pristine in their intentions. It is impossible to influence Filipinos to follow with just mere words; we need concrete action.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: Anyone can be disciplined for the sake of national progress, but discipline must be initiated by leaders themselves. If our leaders don’t discipline themselves, what more its citizens? It should also start within.

Debbie Genato, Quezon City: Why not? Filipinos are naturally obedient only if handled properly. Discipline should really come first from authorities who will enforce this discipline.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: We Pinoys are willing to be disciplined for the sake of national progress, only if they see our political leaders, from Malacañang down to the barangay, discipline themselves first.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Yes, but while we try to be disciplined Filipinos, our leaders still feel licensed to indulge in vicious pleasures. They don’t serve as our beacons.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I think given the right culture and leadership by example, Filipinos can rise above themselves and human nature to sacrifice for the nation. If this is not the case, then it can be very problematic. We can look at a myriad of examples and anecdotes right here at home. For instance, how can motorists be expected to abide by traffic rules and regulations when government officials make violating such rules the most normal thing? How can ordinary Filipinos fall in line when those who think they are the high and mighty do not? How can subordinates not be prone to bribery when their superiors keep succumbing when the price is right? I did not know that the DOJ had dismissed almost all big-time illegal drug cases it handled including the biggest illegal drug haul and laboratory in La Union until I read about it in the papers recently. The leader sets the culture. If the leader is always late, expect subordinates to be late as well. If the leader values cunning and double talk more than integrity and transparency, expect his subordinates to not think twice when they do the same. Every example set by the leader is replicated by most, if not all, until it becomes the culture. So, yes Filipinos can allow themselves to be disciplined for a larger purpose. But leaders first.

Discipline should start at home

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Yes. Many, if not all, will agree that discipline should start at home with our parents as our role models.

Money throws all discipline out the window

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Yes, if there is someone that can lead us properly. The problem is, here in our country, everything can be bought. For example, now that it’s renewal period for business permits, I called up the city treasurer’s office to inquire. When the person on the other line told me he would help me if I went directly to him, even warning me not to deal with fixers, I figured that he was a fixer, too. I went to see him, and true enough, he was. Discipline cannot be achieved by our culture of transaction. We know na ‘yun ang kalakaran, so we do it. But if nobody will accept our bribe, who would dare give a bribe in the first place? How can we progress when we can buy discipline?

If the law is applied equally

Felmar Allen, Northern Samar: I believe that Filipinos are willing to be disciplined for the sake of national progress. This willingness, however, comes with a requisite: That all other Filipinos will be willing to be subjected to such discipline. Filipinos are not disciplined enough because of the inequality of justice. Former Pres. Marcos said, “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan.” He imposed this rule towards many of his fellow Filipinos but never applied the same to himself. This was a case of “straining the gnats but swallowing the elephants.”

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Dictator Marcos’ “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan” slogan will work as long as all lawbreakers, rich or poor, are punished and persecuted.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Yes, when Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base were still run by the Americans, Filipinos religiously followed traffic rules and regulations. But of course, outside the base, we are notoriously undisciplined in the streets, drivers and pedestrians alike. Generally, we adhere to strictures if all are known to abide by the rules, but if leaders of communities do not provide good examples, then others will imitate such breach in discipline. Sadly, our leaders’ zero credibility will negate any entreaty for our interest.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: A strict, unbiased and to-the-letter application of the law would surely discipline Filipinos. Unfortunately, it’s the lawmakers who are violating the law.

Only when there’s no other choice

Gerii Calupitan, Quezon City: We Filipinos can be disciplined only when we have no more alternatives. My Lolo Jose used to tell me, “The only time that we were disciplined was during the American period. Markets were hosed down daily so they were not muddy like today. Policemen in primed up uniforms patrolled the streets. No kids roamed; we were forced to go to school! Quezon spoiled it by saying, “... I would rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos” and decades later, Marcos heeded and gave us heaven and hell heaven for FM’s cronies, the military, Imeldific and her angels; hell for the rest of us in the next 20 years!

We thrive in a disciplined environment

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Filipinos are willing to be disciplined, provided that laws are clearly backed by action and penalties, as seen in America, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Filipinos have made their mark abroad because they are a disciplined lot. Here at home, a similarly conducive atmosphere and a good leader will inspire us to toe the line.

June Deoferio, Cavite: We Filipinos are adaptable to any situation, especially for the sake of national progress.

We tend to backslide

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Being disciplined for national progress, to me, is not too tall an order. While the question could be posed to any individual, achieving this noble objective wouldn’t be much of a problem and should be within reach. One crucial factor here is for proactive, civic-minded citizens to strictly adhere to the very basic rules and regulations within the confines of public places in terms of hygiene or safety. But should indifference, pessimism and related negative vibrations come into play, this goal is doomed to fail. Be that as it may, a backward slide is in the offing.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes. This was proven true during the early years of Martial Law in 1972, where our unique sense of discipline was evident. Unfortunately, we later backslid to our usual bad ways due to “democrazy,” where self-determination is emphasized, allowing us to justify our right to make the wrong choice. This is what rocks our country today.

Discipline should start with us

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: That’s a big yes! We don’t need models and we don’t need to vote on who should start it first. It should start within. Obeying traffic rules, paying the right taxes, waiting for our turn and getting in line, urinating in comfort rooms only and parking our vehicles right are just some basic things we need to do for us to be disciplined.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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