I admire leaders who have the courage to say what they mean. Like saying no to things they really want to disapprove. In the Army, saying no is hardly an option. Soldiers are indoctrinated to find ways to accomplish the mission, at all costs. Sadly, lives could be saved in battles if only leaders knew how to say no. In the Battle of Gettysburg during the US Civil War, the Confederate Army could have avoided 6,000 casualties if only some generals knew how to say no. Generals Pickett and Longstreet reluctantly agreed to seize a hill on the third day of the battle despite knowing the futility of the direct assault preferred by General Robert E. Lee. They just had to obey when they may have meant to refuse—perhaps a classic case of lip service where people give approval or support, insincerely.
Relatedly, when tasks at hand seem to be manifestly difficult, most Filipinos find it hard to say what they mean. As a people, we will always aim to please and never disappoint. For instance, even if the food on the table is not enough, most Filipinos tend to offer it to their guests. Some genuinely mean what they offer. Others do not necessarily mean it, but just offer it anyway by force of habit.
As the country gears up for yet another electoral campaign where candidates will make commitments, we have to be mindful that some of them will not mean what they say, or worse, they will do things different from what they promised. Perhaps it is the nature of political campaigns. Lip service appears to be built-in into our election culture.
But there is a tale of three lawyer brothers in public service whose collective actions have spoken louder than their words. They might not be as pompous, eloquent, or articulate as the typical politicians I know. But their actions as indicated in their various accomplishments are far better than their political promises, if any. All products of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, former Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary Jorge Sarmiento, and former Commissioner of the Commission on Elections Rene Sarmiento are brothers who mean exactly what they say and do precisely what they say in public service. In the process, they have contributed in no small measure to the significant progress in the province of Catanduanes. Of the three, I got more up close and personal to Cesar, not only because he chairs the committee whose mandate includes the industry of my current employment, but because he worked together with my father when they were both at the Bureau of Customs. As representative of the lone district of Catanduanes, Cesar made good of his promises, that is, to improve the lives of his constituents in the province. For instance, he managed to establish the Catanduanes State University, during a congressional moratorium against such establishments. As House Transportation Committee chairman, Cesar presided over meaningful hearings that led to the successful passage of laws, including the law extending the validity period of driver’s licenses. While I have yet to see and hear him during election campaigns, I know Cesar delivers whatever he commits.
The Bible talks of a parable of the two sons wherein the first son said he would not obey, but eventually did, while the second son said he would do his father’s wishes, but eventually did not. Such parable tells us that, while both statements appeared not to be true, actions are more important than statements. As it is written, Matthew 21:31-32 tells us, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” By application, others can easily claim that they believe in God, but do things contrary to His commandments. The bible was clear that not all who calls the Lord “lord” will enter the kingdom of God. Even so, why do people call Him Lord yet do not do what He commands? Believers are just as prone to give lip service whenever their actions betray what they speak or what they believe in.
By analogy, some politicians may claim they will serve the Filipino people to the best of their abilities, but might eventually prioritize things to promote their own or their family’s interests.
The Oath of a Public Servant recites the basic tenets of Filipino public service—Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Maka-kalikasan at Maka-bansa. Every person aspiring for any government position should mean exactly what they say. And whether you’re a candidate or a voter, you should put a stop to lip service. Learn to say no.