The Challenge of Good Governance
Events and issues affecting the nation in general and our communities in particular have been unfolding quite fast. Since August last year when we staged the Million People March against Pork Barrel, several other mobilizations left and right were staged. On July 1, 2014, the Supreme Court declared the Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional with a 13-1-0 vote specifically striking out the validity of the National Budget Circular 541 allowing the Department of Budget and Management to withdraw “unobligated allotments of agencies with low levels of obligations as of June 20, 2012, both for continuing and current allotments.”
In defense of the Executive Branch, President Aquino on national television, critically questioned the ruling of the Supreme Court last July 14, 2014 asserting that the utilization of DAP has inured to the benefit of communities through local project implementation. This he did amidst his eroding public trust rating and while the alleged masterminds of the Prok Barrel Scam are being prosecuted and under trial.
These developments gave rise to a growing public clamor for an avenue to discuss, dissect, study, analyze and carefully understand the issues and their implications to our call for good governance, specifically, for transparency, accountability and integrity.
We must be able to collectively reflect on our role as civil society and even as government officials in promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
I know that good governance is such a widely used term. Sometimes, I feel the need to first clarify what I understand by good governance before I can even engage in a discourse. If governance includes the exercise of authority in managing the resources of a country, then good governance is about making sure that this exercise of power helps improve the quality of life enjoyed by all citizens, by all of us. Therefore, if our government is not providing the quality of life that we think we rightfully deserve, it most likely has to do with good governance – or a lack thereof.
Our country, great as it is, has been beset with a number of challenges. The evident social unrest is an indication that discontent in public service is high. The rising crime rate is telling us of the failure in the judiciary. The never-ending migration of Filipinos abroad is showing us the massive poverty in our homeland. The burgeoning mistrust in government is proof that corruption is widespread. The list could go on and on.
However, I wish to remain optimistic. I believe that there is still hope for the Filipinos for as long as we can get our acts together.
I wish to throw in a few questions for our collective reflection so that we may be able to find the truth, both in its theoretical and practical realms.
If we talk of Accountability: How easy is it for us as citizens to keep track of whether governments followed through on promises made during elections? Do we still elect leaders based on fame and fortune? Are the plunderers punished for stealing the people’s money? Is our concept of justice equivalent to forgiveness given to the thieves in government?
If we talk of Effectiveness: Is the government delivering services such as education, and health care to citizens in accordance with the needs and available budget? Is it collecting revenues honestly, investing those resources wisely and managing public goods for the benefit of all?
And if talk of Transparency: Do we really trust our government? Do we trust institutions? Are they fair, reliable, stable and accountable? Are they free of corruption, and do they help build trust between citizens and the government?
I think our answers to these questions matter a lot. After all, good governance shall begin with us.
(Photo from Agora Portal)
