‘Fitness for office, not winnability’

from Opinion (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/10293-fitness-for-office-not-winnability

Qualification for public office, not winnability or perceived winnability, is the intelligent gauge for choosing a candidate, said the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. The CBCP’s 100th Plenary Assembly opened in Manila Sunday to discuss affairs of the Church and the nation. The assembly, considered the highest decision-making body of the CBCP, issued a two-page pastoral letter urging the people to vote wisely, looking at fitness for office, not poll surveys and political advertisements.

The letter urged the faithful to resist the glamour of winnability, as suggested by the popularity surveys, and vote for men and women who could improve the national life and ameliorate the lot of the masses.

“Winnability is not at all the criterion for voting. The vote you cast will be a vote for the good of your children’s future. Serve the common good with your precious vote,” said part of the pastoral letter.

Addressing the candidates, the bishops urged the political parties to campaign on principled platforms, solutions and issues, not on muckraking and entertainment.

The good bishops have articulated anew, clearly and simply, what thoughtful Filipinos have counseled the public: choose their leaders on the basis of fitness for office, not on popularity, celebrity, name recall, false promises and the achievements of their parents—all of which translate into “winnability” in snapshot, impressionistic and often wrongly premised surveys.The pastoral letter is not explicit on the qualifications a candidate must possess but conventional wisdom, the requirements of governance and the tests of democracy are clear on the fundamental measurements.

They include an aspirant’s integrity (in office and personal life), experience, maturity, leadership, education, core values, grasp of global politics and foreign policy and his vision of the future.

Most discerning Filipinos are saying that using that gauge, and putting popularity aside, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the Lakas-Kampi standard-bearer, deserves the popular vote in the May elections.

The test of honesty alone rules out three leading presidential “winnables,” including one who was convicted for plunder and two for their links to graft-related public works projects that will surely hound their campaign. Teodoro’s probity has never been challenge in 30 years of public life.

His experiences as provincial legislator, three-term member of Congress and Defense minister for two years have demonstrated his competence and leadership in the legislative and executive branches.

He is at home with the judiciary and the legal system, a Bar topnotcher, a former practicing lawyer, holder of a Masters of Laws degree from Harvard Law School and member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

He is an expert in homeland security, the requirements of national defense and law and order. His prescriptions for ending the
 

New People’s Army (NPA) insurgency, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) secessionism and Abu Sayyaf terrorism are cogent and workable.

Plentiful jobs—apart from boosting agriculture and the economy—are foremost in his agenda. A public education system where no child is left behind and a universal healthcare program for every citizen are among his priorities.

Gilbert Teodoro is “winnable” even if current surveys do not indicate so. His ratings have risen in recent weeks and should pick up as the campaign formally starts and as more Filipinos get to know more about his integrity, character and competitive edge over his opponents.

Our fate is not in the stars or in the surveys but in ourselves—this is the message of the CBCP pastoral letter. By voting wisely, we get the President we deserve, the leader we need