by Donald Sevilla
THE GOODNESS IN ONE’S HEART
The passion to help others is rooted in a person’s heart regardless of whether or not, one has a position in government. Public service is not contingent on power, position or influence, although these greatly help.
Yet the genuine public servant manages to do and achieve things in his own little way, changing the world one step at a time.
This is in stark contrast to our politicians who profess love of country but renege on their solemn oath to our people. Once elected into office, the “we becomes an I” and election promises remain empty and unfulfilled.
This is our dilemma as we try to break free from the bondage of a system that has enslaved us for so long. We keep getting stuck in a vicious cycle of hope, promises and broken dreams. And we need not look far to feel it for ourselves.
One year into the new administration’s reign, many things leave much to be desired in our province. Contrary to popular slogans of moving forward, Bohol remains stuck in the ghosts of its past.
We cannot keep laying blame on the past to cover our incompetence in the present. Moving forward and on, are things every politician must take to heart.
While easier said than done, genuine public service calls for a deep commitment for our people’s welfare regardless of political color.
But what do we see? Partisanship prevails and divides our society. Lines are drawn between allies and perceived enemies and progress is stalled.
Rather than move forward we keep blaming the past to hide our shortcomings. But have we made concrete steps to secure our future?
What we need are leaders not back-patting, handshaking, smiling politicians who regale our people with their down-to-earth ways and easy to reach persona.
Food is not put on our tables by beauty pageants and basketball tournaments and anything else. While these distract us from our petty problems day to day, these do not address our empty stomachs and basic needs.
We need to have a clear vision and a strong passion to pursue it. We need doers not talkers and implementors not just dreamers.
We have lost many good men in politics and looking at some with the goodness intact in their hearts is saddening. What Bohol may have lost could be our country’s gain.
Who knows?