SOME THOUGHTS ON GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Public office is a public trust. That has been the concept taught by the political pillars. It is embodied in the American constitution. It is adopted by many governments. The core value is: If you are in government, the people own you and you are answerable to the people. Therefore, you must act with utmost industry, prudence, and integrity. You must not corrupt your job by accepting bribes or by gallivanting. You must be deserving of the people's money.
Where have public service gone now? Politics of patronage has been ravaging government service since the time the spoils system was employed. "We are now the masters here. Everything we conquer is ours, and it is our will that will be done from now on." How many employees were laid out after a new mayor or governor is elected? In the Philippines there is a term that a month after the elections, when the new officials have been sworn in, the employees, especially the casual ones, is already Tom Jones. What does it mean? Elections usually occur in May and in June the new official will assume office. So the poor emplyee who is not known to be loyal to the new "conqueror" of office will be up to June only. Tom is "taman" or up to and Jones is June, meaning one is only up to June.
Poor us! We have gone to the dogs. Our public service is no longer a public trust but the trust of the few who have arisen from political anonymity to political eminence.
I there hope? I hope there is still hope for the way we do public business.
Where have public service gone now? Politics of patronage has been ravaging government service since the time the spoils system was employed. "We are now the masters here. Everything we conquer is ours, and it is our will that will be done from now on." How many employees were laid out after a new mayor or governor is elected? In the Philippines there is a term that a month after the elections, when the new officials have been sworn in, the employees, especially the casual ones, is already Tom Jones. What does it mean? Elections usually occur in May and in June the new official will assume office. So the poor emplyee who is not known to be loyal to the new "conqueror" of office will be up to June only. Tom is "taman" or up to and Jones is June, meaning one is only up to June.
Poor us! We have gone to the dogs. Our public service is no longer a public trust but the trust of the few who have arisen from political anonymity to political eminence.
I there hope? I hope there is still hope for the way we do public business.
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