Pope Francis in 2016

Edmund Tayao / Mettle Works

Almost two years into Pope Francis’s papacy, we have seen how the Catholic Church can be vibrant, forward-looking and ennobling. We have seen it first hand, as he visited us, the biggest Catholic nation in Asia. Many will remember not only the rousing experience of their fleeting encounter with this people’s Pope but more so, the change he introduced to the biggest religion in the world. Many say this Pope is populist, having addressed issues in the church that many have been clamoring for.

A very open, all-embracing Pope, he is admired and respected, recognized as a beacon of unity in a very divided world. Then again, he walks the talk. He called the attention of many in the Church to remember their vows, religious or diocesan. Every priest serves in the “imitation of Christ,” and no one can dare contradict that he has been the model of this standard, shunning anything ostentatious and showing the very meaning of service.

Without fanfare, he paved the way for what could become a diplomatic breakthrough between Cuba and the United States. Pope Francis has shown what leadership is to the whole world regardless of age. A man, his community and an institution almost as old as civilization like the Church, can change and show that the old can be renewed and revitalized.

In the Philippines, we do not have a conclave to elect a President that will serve the people like the Pope. Of course, we can’t have an exact copy of a conclave. But this doesn’t mean we should not have a functioning representative system that allows the choosing of a real leader. As it is, we have an archaic system, not only of elections but also of the overall political system in the country.

Every election seems to have been contested, many losers claiming to have been cheated. The truth is, the people are the ones who have been consistently cheated. Most voters look to every election as a chance to elect a government of servant leadership that we deserve, and we hope would provide better governance.

Then incompetent, abusive, self-serving, self-absorbed leaders consistently cheat us. Many are populist that they appeal to the emotions of the people. We have yet to see a leader who is forward-looking, one who truly serves the people and knows fully well that there are “real” difficult reforms that have to be instituted. We could have had good leaders before; the system either prevents one to be elected or prevents one to be successful.

Ironically, despite the poverty and backwardness of government, we have a very talented people. Some have managed to earn a good honest living, and many are able to excel in their chosen fields and even recognized in the international community for their work.

We are a very resilient people, too, having probably seen the worst of both natural calamities and man-made disasters inflicted by our leaders who line their pockets and worse serve only their own. But through the struggle, we have managed to keep our body and soul intact, and remain even optimistic, smiling as we go through our everyday drudgery.

The year 2016 nears and again we have an opportunity to choose a good leader. We deserve a Francis-like leadership, work ethic and courage of principle. In short, we deserve a servant leadership. We are still in the archaic system, so there is little or slim assurance that we would not be saddled with another that will please the least, who are rich, and disappoint the many, who are poor.

At the least, however, we can make systemic issues the focus that candidates have to build their plans upon and speak about. Then we would not have to listen to empty promises.

It is only we the public who can make the leaders do what they are supposed to do. We have the social media as our platform, our words and aspirations as our munitions. Hopefully we will use them well, and elect a leader who serves beyond words.

If not, we’ll have to grit our teeth through six more wasted years before the next opportunity comes.

 

Edmund Tayao is a political analyst, teaches Political Science at the University of Sto. Tomas and is Executive Director of the Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF). He is also the Chairman of Metis Facility Strategic Research and Advisory Group.