We were able to listen to the presidential aspirants during last night’s (December 6) Harapan 2010 Forum, sponsored by the ANC/ABS-CBN channels.
It’s a perfect venue for voters like us to listen to their platforms, their viewpoints on specific issues plaguing the country and how they would respond in case they get elected as president to various situations.
As of the moment though, Ava and I have yet to identify the president we will be voting considering that we’re doing research and reading through the profiles of these aspirants.
I believe that as voters, it’s high time that we get rid of the popularity voting, which hardly made any difference for our nations the past two decades.
While actors and actresses do have the right to run for public office, not everyone is cut out for public service.
In running for public office, it takes more than just a nice-sounding or popular screen name to earn a spot in the public office.
It takes a lot of political will to carry on his/her job, a lot of heart for service to the citizenry as well as integrity all the time, considering the widespread corruption besetting our government past and present.
Anyway, after the Harapan 20101 Forum, we thought here are some key points to consider before writing at the black line of your ballots, the names of your chosen president, vice-president, senators, etc
- Fear of God—for some, this sounds idealistic, but truth is, you can never erase God in every area of our life. Daniel, a Jewish exile in Babylon born during the 632 B.C., was a public servant during his time. He served under Babylonian kings. Though the kings ruled and promoted an idolatrous culture, Daniel was known for his devotion and worship for God.
Daniel 6:3-4 gave us a brief description of Daniel as a public servant–3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
2. Servant leader—there are just tons of leadership authors that have come up with various leadership principles in recent years. However, the ultimate example of a leader is none other than Jesus, whom candidates wishing to run for public office should emulate. Spending his last days on earth, Jesus got a basin with clean water and started to wash His disciples’ feet in the John 13 account.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Washing another’s feet during their time, was certainly not the job of an esteemed Teacher like Jesus, but He chose to do it to emphasize the point that true leadership is serving others (with no strings attached).
3. Competent–meaning, the aspirant should be fit for the job. A simple research on the list of things the aspirant accomplished would already give you an idea if he is really fit for the job as president of the country.
I’m sure there are a whole lot more of things to consider when choosing for a presidential candidate or for any person running for public office, but at least, we gave you three key points that could serve as your guide before you cast your vote on May 2010.
Let’s pray that God will give each voter the wisdom to make wise decisions.
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