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| A message from Admiral Guillermo G. Wong, PN (ret) |
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Perhaps you all might have heard of Chinese-Filipino Rear Admiral Guillermo G. Wong who assumed the command of the Philippine Navy in 2001. A product of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1969 RAdm Wong spearheaded the old homeland’s Navy as its Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) – until he was forced out by “noisy” Marine officers unhappy with his style of leadership. The crisis was triggered by the berating of the Philippine Marines by RAdm Wong for alleged irregularities in the procurement of 3.8 million pesos worth of Kevlar helmets. In the events that followed, the Marines prevailed and RAdm Wong was stripped of his command and was “promoted” to an ambassadorial post. The conflict, while it was resolved peacefully (but widely seen as a blow to military reformers) exposed a previously unseen face of the Philippine Navy and that is the countenance of corruption. I do know Admiral Wong personally. I have always thought of him, too - as a truly genuine Filipino patriot. Indeed, he is certainly the best known graduate of our old alma mater in Pasig Line – Villamor High School – which is having its 8th grand reunion next week (July 16-18th) right here in the finest city of America. Willie as he is fondly called by all of us, fellow Villamorians - is now retired. I received this the other day from him via email and I thought I would pass it along to all of you, my dear folks. (I had his permission to put it in print). Pretty interesting personal perspective really of one who have been there and absolutely a great tool for letting the new Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino know what you think. Don’t hesitate to let me know what your thoughts are. Pass it along if you wish. Here’s what the good admiral wrote: Change in an ethically pluralistic society Approximately a hopeful 42% of the electorate voted for an apparently anti-corruption platform. About 58% voted for the “magaling, matalino, edukado, may abilidad, mabait, para sa mahirap, mahigpit, may karanasan, may nagawa, may political will, etc” as the main considerations. Can we safely assume that this electorate is a microcosm of Philippine society? If so, now that the minority has elected into office a President that embody their hopes, what will it take to convince the majority 58% that honesty and integrity are the main considerations in the way of life and governance of the Filipino? On the other hand, what will it take to make the 42% practice honesty instead of simply hoping and demanding it from the Presidency? Philippine society is ethically pluralistic. As examples, we have Utilitarian’s who think what is good for man and society is right will to lie, cheat, or steal for the “good” of society; Hedonists who feel what is pleasurable is right will resort to shortcuts on “tedious” or “difficult” processes, missing the point; Rationalists who think what is logical is right will judge regardless of the size of their brains, limited access to facts that matter or manipulate facts to suit their logic; Positivists who think legal is right will falsify documents to make them compliant to rules or laws; Evolutionists who assert what is powerful is right create groups that consider themselves elite and therefore right in their thoughts. Sadly, only about 10-15% practice Religious or Christian ethics where what is intrinsically good is right and intrinsically evil is wrong. Glen and Montemayor discuss these in detail in their books entitled “Ethics” and “Ethics, the science of right living,” respectively. Elizabeth Hurley in her book “Developmental Psychology” defines the different stages of a child’s moral development up to the age of 18 when one gets pretty well settled in his values or ethics. Normally, these ethics will remain and be passed on to the next generation and thus perpetuate the ethical plurality of our society. What aggravates the Philippine situation is that almost all of us are apparently “idealistic.” What is idealism? It is doing the right thing. We have different concepts of right and wrong. As such, our ethically pluralistic society will always be at odds with each other, insisting on their respective concepts. That is why no President will ever be good because he or she belongs only to a minority of society. So, the rest, who are the majority, will always consider him or her wrong. A minority could hardly impose one’s values or ethics on the majority, in a democratic environment. It will be difficult to gather people to agree with some values to form an enforcement mechanism. They may appear to agree with some values among themselves at the start, but sooner or later their pluralistic values will emerge when they go down to the details. This will probably affect the hopeful 42% who voted for the current President. We often hear “We are all in this together. We talk about actively participating in transforming the country.” Can we then accept the concept of “pain of birth”? Can we believe that change starts from within all of us? Can we believe that each one is a center of power that can influence from oneself to those under ones influence or supervision? Can we start changing our ethical roots to believe instead to what is intrinsically evil is wrong and what is intrinsically good is right. Or, are the aforementioned only demands on the hopeful 42%. Truly, it is a tall order for everyone, especially to the 58% who voted on main considerations other than anti-corruption. Our ethical roots will be a very formidable obstacle to embracing Religious or Christian ethics, especially when we have all grown past the age of 18. Can we really change? Studies also revealed that whatever morality a person acquires at the age of 18 (and thereabouts) he or she does some adjustments as he/she faces society. So, a person brought up on religious ethics may sin in adjusting to society, but reverts back to his initial norm when adjustment is no longer required, especially when he acquires some form of stability or authority. Coming back to the fold varies in time. There are those who come back to the fold when they no longer matter to society, like fully retiring from work. Notice how some old people become very religious as they near their appointment with their creator? In the eyes of God, everyone has a second chance. In the eyes of society, perhaps we can still find ways to redeem ourselves when we have retired from the service of our people? Maybe, if we have the moral ascendancy, we can be cheerleaders to the young, advocating for doing what is intrinsically good and rejecting what is intrinsically evil. We have to do something within the realm of our power and influence, the least of which is ourselves. We cannot just be observers in this historic struggle of our people. Or, is it only the struggle of the 42% with the 58% on a wait and see mode ready to render assessments, criticize and heap blame? My best wishes to our country and countrymen in this change, we all, hopefully seek. All the best, Willie So… who says that mechanisms are in place to act on allegations of corruption in the government? I do believe RAdm Wong’s important message should be shared with as many people as possible. What is needed, as the good admiral says, is substantive action on these issues. Indeed, with a new Aquino administration in the Malacanan Palace, the Filipinos – our “kababayans” - have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to rebuild the old homeland to a better nation. If not now – When? If not us – Who? |