Writer: Marivic D.
Labitad
Your Choice. My Future: Selecting Responsible Leaders for A Better
Nation
“Man works for an object. Remove this object and you reduce him
to inaction.” Dr. Jose Rizal
wrote this in The Indolence of the Filipinos, an essay about why
Filipinos did not work hard
during the time of the Spaniards. Indolence, or laziness, is
considered a chronic malady in the
Philippines. A malady that a number of our political leaders have
embraced for years.
It is true. I am only 19 years old. But that does not mean that I do
not understand what our
politicians and government leaders are up to. That does not mean
that I do not know what is and
what should be. I know what is happening in my country. I know
because I am a part of it all. No matter how hard we deny it, it is a fact that
our leaders, like the Filipinos during the Spanish
regime, are not willing to work hard and sacrifice if there is nothing in it for them.
There always
has to be a gift or a certain kind of payment. This ideology, I believe, is the reason
why the
simple task of choosing responsible leaders has become such a burden for many.
Technically, I will not yet be eligible to vote in the coming elections. But I have
been thinking
hard about what characteristics I would look for if I were allowed to vote for our
country’s next
leaders.
Our nation’s history has presented us with practically every kind of leader we can
think of. We
had a dictator who kept us under martial law for years. We had a reluctant
housewife, an actor-
president, and a female president beset with numerous political scandals and
allegations long
after she has left Malacañang. Our current president has the difficult task of living
up to the
names of his parents, who are considered modern heroes of Philippine democracy.
Yes, they all have their good points; but, sadly, I cannot say that they have all the
qualities I want
in a leader.
The leader that I am looking for is compassionate. His dedication to service is
incomparable. He
epitomizes Dr. Jose Rizal’s ideal Filipino – someone who is willing to take risks
for the good of
his fellowmen.
He should be a man of integrity. He should be honest and principled; not one who
enumerates
promises only to throw them off into the wind after winning the elections.
My ideal leader is somebody who has the courage to turn away from fear, from
greed, and from
temptation. He is somebody who is confident and secure in his loyalty to the
people and the
country. No amount of power and money can compromise this loyalty.
The best leader for this nation is a person who knows what humility is. He knows
that the
country needs a leader who is willing to take responsibility for his mistakes; a
leader who is
mature enough to correct these mistakes for the sake of his people.
A responsible leader is someone who puts himself last; someone who is willing to
put himself in
compromising situations to make sure that his fellow Filipinos live in safety and
security.
And he does all these without asking for or expecting anything in return.
I beg of you; all of you who will be filling up the ballots come election day.
Please...Please
choose the best leaders for our country. Think not only of yourselves, but of us, the
younger
generation, too. Tomorrow is all we have. And your votes will give us that
tomorrow we so
deserve.
I want my tomorrow to be a country and a society where I am free to be what I
want to be; where
I am free to fearlessly pursue my goals. A country where I can speak my mind
without the fear of
being judged or misinterpreted. A country where leaders are chosen because of
their capabilities and their sincere love for the nation and its people.
I want my tomorrow to be a country where democracy is not just a word or a
belief, but a way of life.
Most of all, I want my tomorrow to be a country that I can proudly and confidently
pass on to my future children, and my children’s children.
Yes, it is true. Filipinos have long been considered as indolent. It is time to correct
this misconception. And the best way to do this is for us to choose
a new breed of leaders. Leaders
