In Search of a new President – 2

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What kind of President do we need in 2022?

That’s what we asked in our column two weeks ago. To save you the trouble of doubling back, let me repeat what I said the next President ought to be.

“In my view, he/she will need to be:

1) A healing and unifying President, 2) a stickler for truth, justice and fair play, 3) a charismatic ambassador to the world, 4) a principled politician skilled in the art of negotiation, 5) an empowering, ethical and effective leader;

6) a strategic development manager driven by the right Vision and values, 7) a goal-driven taskmaster who can whip all government agencies into efficient service-delivery machines, 8) a caring, nurturing servant leader, 9) capable of assembling and leading competent government functionaries who will carry out the administration’s programs efficiently and well and 10) a good communicator.”

​“So, what credentials do we look for in that kind of President?”

​Take note: I didn’t say technocrat or legal luminary. After all, people believe an honest unschooled leader is better than a corrupt genius. Go back a number of Presidents ago and you’ll know what we mean. Just the same, the next President should be “well educated”, as in hindi mal-educado. In the Filipino context, mal-educado has a nasty connotation: schooled but acquired the wrong values, ill-mannered, bastos, uncouth.

A reactionary hipshooter triggered by emotion rather than intellect.

Maleducation (‘maleducated’ is apparently not a legitimate English word) means “education that is faulty or incomplete” (Wiktionary). But that’s in the academic sense, which is not what we mean. Nor do we necessarily mean a holder of a college degree or higher, although that would be useful. The well-educated person is literate, informed and knowledgeable, enlightened, respectful of all of creation and for what is right, just and good. Civilized. And yes, equipped with good manners and right conduct.

Next, the new President should have a track record of personal accomplishment (in legitimate endeavor/s) and competence in private undertakings or government service.

What else?  Responsible exercise of citizenship, such as involvement in meaningful advocacies and civic action. Then, too, strength of character, as in integrity, probity, uprightness. And charisma, that elusive quality that draws people to certain personalities like Barack Obama, JFK, Ninoy Aquino, Manny Paquiao and PRRD himself. Or Leni Robredo, whose charisma propelled her from nowhere in the ratings to the elected vice President.

Some people have it, and most others don’t. But history tells us that charisma isn’t enough. The world has a roster of fallen and disgraced despots and populist leaders as evidence.

But let’s go back to what our next President needs to be.

What will it take to be a healing and unifying President? Diplomacy, for one. Skilled conflict management. Non-partisanship and inclusiveness. Merit-based recruitment of the best and the brightest. Trustworthiness. Ability to inspire the government bureaucracy through transformational leadership, and the communication skills to ignite our collective sense of nationhood.

We need a President who can whip the government bureaucracy into shape not by threats and largesse but by setting an example of the highest standards and exacting the same from all appointees. Experience in the workings of government will be a valuable credential. Just as important is inspiring leadership by example, one capable of leading the country to an honorable and respected place in the community of nations.

We need a President who will win back the people’s confidence in government by providing true servant leadership that is caring and nurturing. But the presidency must be as tough on mediocrity, crime and corruption, abuse and incompetence as it is soft on those who need the most help. The President must, therefore be, as good an administrator as he/she is as an  orchestrator, motivator and visionary leader. Indeed, a nation builder.

What kind of President becomes an empowering, ethical and effective leader? Jesse Robredo would have been a perfect example. He lived what he preached, but died before we could put his brand of leadership to the test in Malacañang.

There are many Jesse Robredo is working silently in local governments, just as there are promising natural leaders in the legislature, in the executive branch of national government, and in the private sector, and one of them could one day be the President.

Vice President Leni, of course, is most familiar with what made Sec. Jesse tick, and is following in his footsteps with amazing aplomb and proficiency.

But the pragmatist in us says that above all else, the next President must have what it takes to win.

Here’s the list of presidentiables so far: Justice Antonio Carpio, Manny Pacquiao, Sara Duterte, Cynthia Villar, Ping Lacson, Grace Poe, Sonny Trillanes, Ramon Ang, Bong Go, Bongbong Marcos and VP Leni Robredo.

Who do you think best meets the criteria for President in 2022, and will have the resources to wage a winning campaign? What will it take to make your candidate win? And are you ready to help make it happen?

To end this piece, and this issue being the Christmas edition, let me wish everyone a happy and holy Christmas. Stay safe and COVID-free! – NWI