To all my co-workers in Comelec.
I am relatively new in the Commission on Elections and I
was told that criticisms are part of the job. I have been trying to understand
this situation especially as I have been associated with many of those who have
recently been attacking Comelec on this single issue of election automation. I
am sure that while many of you have mastered the art of ignoring these attacks
and live as if they do not exist, some also do get hurt and troubled. It is
important to listen and understand the issues that our critics are raising. I
always think that listening to the public is part of our job. It is also
important, however, for us to realize that, in the end, it is we in the
Commission who are tasked to execute the institution’s mandate and are
therefore the ones primarily responsible for the success or failure of managing
our elections. Thus, for as long we can honestly and confidently say that we
are hardworking public servants who conduct ourselves in the highest standard
of integrity, competence, and service and who have the best interest of the
public in mind, we can proudly hold our heads up high and face anyone with
courage and dignity. While we cannot profess to have the monopoly of election
knowledge and expertise notwithstanding our years of election management
experience, nobody, and simply nobody, can rightfully claim the monopoly of
good intentions. Not us. Not our critics. Not anyone else.
Needless to say, well-managed elections bring about good
governance, which, in turn, translate into better service to the people. After
work we all return to our respective communities and experience government
service, or the lack of it, like all other citizens of the country do. There is
no sense therefore for us to be doing our work with less passion and dedication
than necessary as we are our own client. We stand to benefit from the good
works that we do. We also stand to suffer if we do not do our job well. We
cannot fail to serve ourselves.
Let us therefore face these criticisms by showing to
everyone how we work hard to improve the process and how we are addressing some
of the valid issues. Let’s also show that we are achieving great headways in
the other aspects of elections. We are pursuing to give better electoral access
to those traditionally deprived of access (PWD, Detainees, IPs, IDPs). There is
an unprecedented vigor in enforcing campaign finance laws. We will continue to
ensure fairer election by enforcing campaign rules. We are continuing to do
organizational development efforts to make our institution more responsive to
the demands of the times. Let us highlight our successes as we also continue to
correct our failures. Let’s be proud of ourselves and of what we do.
A hopeful New Year to All.
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I decided to repost this because I personally know Luie, he is a sincere and honest guy, and I believe that credibility, credibility, and credibility of an electoral exercise is
the single most important service that a government election administration
body can give to the public. I sincerely hope that we are going towards more credible elections through time. Not that I believe that politicians and legislators can give us heaven on earth, far from it. Rather, since existing rules say that we need to have a President and Vice President, Senators and Congressmen, Governors and Mayors, Provincial and Municipal Councilors, etc., then the rules that put these people in position should be credible.
I am a minarchist, not anarchist. I believe there is a rule for government -- to have rule of law in society, especially the laws protecting the people's right to life, right to private property, and right to liberty and expression. Beyond that, I think most other government functions are secondary or unnecessary. Promulgating the law on honest election is an important function of government like the Comelec.
1. No one has the monopoly of good intentions. Argue if we
must, however passionate we may be. But let's also seek to understand in the
same way we want to be understood.
2. To reiterate, I really hope more people consider serving
in government as it is there where they can walk their talk.
I commented on his second posting and said that people should ask government to stop intervening and
regulating too much in the private sector, so people there can create more
jobs. Job creation and selling various things and services is not a crime that requires
lots of government permits.
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See also:
Election Watch 6: On Political Dynasty, May 11, 2013
Election 7: My Candidates for Senators, May 12, 2013
Election 7: My Candidates for Senators, May 12, 2013
Election 8: Growth, Debt and the 2013 Polls, May 30, 2013
Election 9: India's Political Dynasties vs. Democracy, April 21, 2014
Comelec voter registration, 2007, October 26, 2010
Party List 5: Why it is Wrong in Theory and Practice, September 30, 2012
Party List 6: Discourse with Luie Guia, April 19, 2013
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