MULLING OVER LEADERSHIP

IT'S 61 DAYS TILL May 10, the day of Philippine Elections for both national and local leaders. Now what does it mean to lead?

Do all of the candidates know what that means?

Did they study that in school, or learned about it from training seminars and workshops?

Did they observe leaders, or read about their lives so that they would know the sacrifices that genuine leaders make for the good of society?

Are they continually reading up on leadership, which include administration of organizations, knowing how to inspire people to act, and how to be prudent in spending funds that are not theirs?

Have they talked to people and asked them what kind of leaders they really want on a day-to-day basis?

Do they know that issuing memoranda is not enough to extract obedience from people, but person-to-person knowledge is as important?

Have they traveled to other countries to know how other leaders there lead their countryfolks to prosperity, peace, development, and justice?

Are they aware that there are various approaches to making people participate, not just through words but through the arts as well?

So many questions to ask and so many questions to answer before becoming a leader. But they must be asked by our people for them to raise their standards for the kind of leader/s that they will vote come May 2010.

It is high time that the people raise these questions and more if only for us to be able to get our money's worth when paying taxes and strengthening our loyalty to the Filipino flag.

Unfortunately, those whom we had thought had the highest ideals for our country are now siding with the officials who are responsible for the dire conditions of our country. They used to be highly appreciated, both radical and military candidates, but now, they have sold their hearts and minds to people whose leadership are not solidly for the people. God save us should they win at all.

I saw an American guy selling herbal products at a worship house. The people had just gone through cleansing of souls provided by passionate bishops and good pastors. However, he was wearing a black shirt with words written all over: Crazy, hard on, and all other evil words, as if to tell the people there: "Hey you may be clean, but I am dirty you know. I am a man and no one can dictate to me how to dress up." This guy was apparently disrespectful of the place, and he should have not been allowed to enter at all. God save us from such kinds of people from now on.

One thing I have to say about leaders -- they should not make us feel anxious, or should not put us under stressful conditions, like withholding information, not giving nurturing words, not deciding right away on matters that border on life and death, act and not remain passive in the face of crucial issues. In other words, I would like leaders to be mindful of the people's welfare all the time. Is that too much to ask?

In observance of the Lenten season, I would like to sit in a quiet corner everyday and pray that every and each day from now on shall result in a peaceful transition of powers.