Message
Scottish Rite Masons Annual Banquet
1828 Taft Avenue, Pasay City
Secretary Jesse M. Robredo
Department of Interior and Local Government
9 March 2012
Appropriate greetings...
You and I are standing at a crucial juncture—a turning point, if you
will—in our country’s history. There is no doubt as to the greatness
of our nation. Leaders like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and
Apolinario Mabini have captured the great Filipino aspirations and
built this country’s foundations with their blood. Yet for the most
part in the last decades, we have moved forward in some kind of
erratic pace. Brilliance is interrupted by vapid progress. Leaps
fizzle out, leaving us plodding along... Does the Philippines really
have what it takes to claim its rightful place among the region’s
tigers?
I am absolutely positive that I can speak for everyone in this room if
I answer that question with a definite YES. I am told that Scottish
Rite Masons are exemplars of the true citizen of any country. What
that means here is that you hold the passions of the likes of Rizal
and Mabini in your hearts. Your hopes for this country go above
your own personal interests.
But what will it take for our country to move forward and what is this
juncture I am talking about? The great opportunity that we have in our President today is his
social capital. Filipinos relate to his personal losses and gains.
Like losing a father in the struggle for democracy. Like loving a
mother who embodied that struggle. When he speaks of corruption,
images of the last two administrations punctuate his words. As a
result, for the first time in a long time, civil society has slowly
opened its doors to government. And both are willing to network
for the sake of change.
This alliance could be steady at times but at other times fragile and
fraught with frustration. Still, it is an alliance. The networks are
being drawn; the collaborations being slowly institutionalized. There
is hope, shaky perhaps in many aspects but it is hope.
Let me give you an example. The government is capitalizing on this
openness with new programs that harness real people power. At
the DILG, we have for the past two years or so institutionalized
transparency and accountability through what we call the Seal of
Good Housekeeping. We have required local governments to post
their budgets and other financial documents in conspicuous places
to empower civil society, business, and people’s organizations.
We have required local governments to meet COA rules. We have
done the same with the PNP and the BJMP and the Bureau of Fire.
We have fixed the finances of the PNP so that every policeman will
benefit from reforms being made in the organization like muchneeded boots
and uniforms. In a nutshell, we are bringing the fight
against corruption and dishonesty down to the level of every man,
woman, and child. This way, they will be empowered to work with
government in bringing in social change.And this is the crux of the matter.
If bestselling author Jim Collins’
theory is to be believed, the leap from being good to being great is
made on the back of steady transformation. The change that can
transform any company, any organization, and perhaps even a
nation, is not brought by dramatic crises. The juncture that leads to
real and lasting change is not a sharp curve; it is a long journey of
diligent and painstaking transformation.
We do not need another dramatic event to spark growth and
development in this country. What we need now at this crucial
juncture is people cementing collaborations to fight corruption,
mediocrity, and division in our society. What we need now are
people like you, who are leaders and thinkers. Masons who
perpetuate the values of commitment to truth, justice, patriotism
and selflessness. .
I have absolute admiration for your desire to keep in view the larger
interest of society and the country rather than yourself or your
particular organization. I have always said that the secret of a truly
progressive and enlightened society is when people put others first.
So here it is, gentlemen: The narrative from your little everyday acts
of justice and fairness, of honesty and truth, of sacrifice and
diligence— are the key to our unveiling as a global power. If we
can sustain reforms in transparency and accountability, we can
leapfrog from "good" to "great.
I hope you truly realize the power of the words in your creed that
says: “human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme
wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of
equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.
”These words, crystallized into everyday actions wherever you are—
in a corporation, in government, in the police force, in politics—will
fuel the wheels of change in our nation. Imagine that leap from
good to great. It's something we have wanted for decades.
Now, let me move to my second point. We do not need another
EDSA. But there is a dramatic change happening all over the world
at the moment. Global power shifts are happening, and some
believe these will be followed by turbulent times. We are seeing the
shifts in power from West to East, from local to global, from
individuals to networks. We are interconnected in ways that have
never been seen before.
The citizens of our country epitomize this connection: they are
scattered all over the globe but do not forget their roots. They
Skype, they chat, they text back to the Philippines, and they still
want to retire here. They send money home to their local roots.
They are citizens of our local governments but also citizens of the
world. In that space, they are also exposed to the risks of the
world—bird flu, global calamities, financial upheavals.
We need to arm our people— both those abroad and at home—
with the right leaders, the right thinkers, and the right Masons who
can perpetuate true Filipino values. How do we harness peoples’
talents, but at the same time protect them from the effects of these
power shifts?
Ask yourself now: what can you do to make this happen. Do you
hold the interest of others above your own? Do you guarantee equal rights to all,
and not just to your brothers in the organization?
Your vigilance in guarding against un-Masonic behavior will shape
the reputation of Masonry in the Philippines, but more importantly,
your commitment to your values can shape our country’s future
from this juncture onwards.
Some say that Masons favor Masons over others when it comes to
privileges or favors. There is a dark cloud over Masonry that
identifies it as a clique that discriminates against those who are not
Masons. I am sure this is not true, but you must show to others that
Masonic ethics rise above discrimination and favoritism. Dispel this
dark cloud hanging over the organization, so others will see it as the
enlightened organization that it is.
May I say that never has the country needed your participation than
today. Our success in this revolution could be the accelerator
towards that greatness Rizal, Mabini, and Bonifacio dreamed of. It
will be a change that is not caused by a crisis; it will be a change
that is borne from conscious acts of virtue.
Many of you are already participating in this revolution. May we all
join those who are already at the front lines because the alternative
is just not acceptable. We are done with our erratic pace of
progress. We need to move forward steadily. So keep on keeping
on! More power to you and thank you for this opportunity to share
my thoughts.
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