Kaya Natin!

The Manila Times
http://www.manilati mes.net/national/2009/ april/24/ yehey/opinion/ 20090424opi6. html

For 10 months now, amid the most disheartening tales we hear and read about wheeling and dealing politicians, less-than-stellar government officials and self-serving public servants, Kaya Natin! has been showing the public glimpses of hope and examples of good work.

Kaya Natin! seeks to continue doing just that. Besides providing a sanctuary to officials who continue to try to do good, it endeavors to inspire the public and make us dream again of a better Philippines.

Our country suffers from poor governance and a citizenry that is cynical and apathetic. Underlying this is both a leadership and citizenship crisis made worse by a dearth of action, example and standards. There is therefore a need to restore faith in government by showing people (in and out of government) who are champions of good governance and ethical leadership.

Convincing the people that it is still possible for good governance to reign will make many of our citizens trust their exemplary leaders once more and share in the immense work of reform that lies ahead.

Kaya Natin!’s vision of a Philippines run by good and effective leaders and a citizenry actively involved in nation-building can turn into reality—with your help.

Having five champions of good governance and ethical leadership is simply not enough. There is a whole gamut of work to be done, an entire country that needs to be brought back to the right track. Surely there are others in the bureaucracy that are doing their best to serve our country and the Filipino people. Kaya Natin! seeks to bring those who practice good governance and promote ethical leadership together. If bad people can come together and bring this country to the dogs, surely, good people can come together to make this country great again!

Today, April 24, 2009, KN! welcomes eight new champions of good governance and ethical leadership. Together with our existing five champions, we will continue spreading the hope virus and bringing the Caravan of Good Governance to as many places and as many citizens that continue to believe in the goodness of the Filipino.

What is a Kaya Natin! champion? Gov. Among Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao, Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City might come from different political backgrounds and belong to different political parties but they fundamental virtues and values. While there is a more detailed process by which these champions are identified—it basically boils down to two things. Competence and Character. Those are the fundamental twin requirements we in Kaya Natin! are looking for in our champions.

KN! seeks to identify those who consistently adhere to the principles of discernment, commitment and courage in living up to their oath and promise to promote the people’s agenda.

The first prayer I learned by heart as a child was the Prayer for Generosity. Thanks to my true-blue dad and upbringing, this Ignatian prayer has always been central in how I try to live my every day:

“Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as I should, to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and to ask not for reward—save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will.”

As Kaya Natin! seeks to identify other champions of good governance and ethical leadership and as we near a very crucial national election, standards will be drawn up to guide us in identifying these good leaders. Groups everywhere are coming up with their own criteria for determining good public servants and how we should vote in 2010. May I invite you to bear in mind the foregoing prayer. I think it captures in essence the kind of leadership we need in the country and the kind of attitude we, as responsible citizens, should try to live up to in doing our own bit in nationbuilding.

Competence and Character. In seeking to do God’s most holy will, however different faiths define it, the overriding sense is that of other-centeredness. Not my political ambition and those of my supporters, family or friends but the good of others, the good of the country. To labor, to toil and to fight necessarily implies that one has the necessary skills needed to fight the good fight or is willing to engage those who can help him or her to fight the good fight. The bottom-line for a public servant is to give of themselves and not to count the cost. We need leaders who do not count political capital, mileage, bailiwick, survival. We need servant leaders and those who will give generously of themselves for the country and for the Filipino people.

To view our new set of Kaya Natin! Champions, please visit the Ateneo de Manila University website at: http://www.ateneo. edu/index. php?p=120&type=2&sec=29&aid=6631