I was appalled by what I heard and seen in the Inquirer reports concerning the alleged attack on the hard-hitting radio man this week in his broadcasting lair in Bulanao. If true, this is a sign that the Governor could not take the punches on the air. Criticism of officials by media men and his own people should not be seen as curtailing the works of the governor but rather should be seen in the light of what more can be done. Inside big private companies they have supervisors or governors who are attached on products to criticize all its blemish and good sides.

In fact, Apple Inc. which produced the I-phone, the I-pad, the I-pod and now its own cloud services have two kinds of people assigned on the products, the innovators or  designers and those who check the quality of these innovations whether it is useful, designed for full human attachment and need. In a company, the innovators give proposals for new products, product designs and provide prototypes while the quality inspectors will check out how useful, friendly and life-enhancing these products are but the final decision will be provided by the CEO when the product is ready.

In the Good Old Book wisdom shows that David learned how to become a wise ruler through the persecution and attacks by King Saul. David could not have become the greatest king that he was without the hands of Saul. The years of hiding and animosity of Saul against David had changed his character from one of dependence to his parents to one of dependence on God for the things that he should do. Clearly, in the political landscape, the greatest benefit of character changing is not a friendly advice that we can get from yes people, these are people who are your relatives, those who benefit from the money and food you surround them with but from the people who attack and criticize you. Service here on earth whether in the pulpit or in the office should be construed as our platform to put others first before ourselves.

It is also true that whether we are doing good works and trying to be our best that there would always be critical voices. But let us show that indeed the good that we are doing will define our rule and not what others have said. There is no more powerful way to do this than that we are truly progressing in fulfilling the promises we have made during the election campaign. As a ruler of the people, we have to check our lists, what are the good things we have done and what more needs to be urgently done? If we focus on these good things rather than hearing only the voice of our critics, then at least we know that we are standing on solid ground.
But we cannot unjustly violate the rights of others by stoking fire with fire and clearly, the act of transgressing in another area which is not our office presents a clear danger.

This is INTIMIDATION. Bullying which is demonstrated by showing superior force or bringing your authority in a place which is not designed or appropriate for your private talk can do more harm than good. Because of this, people’s judgment would always favour the oppressed when you try to harm another by force without any court jurisdiction. This is a CONDEMNABLE ACT, an unbecoming act for any ruler in office. Rulers must know that they have to re-present their respectable offices in a way that is admirable and honourable despite the circumstance. We are standing on an office which people have placed us because of their trust that we can do good. By violating the least of them, by not serving them to our utmost capacity and following the vision that we have for a good governance and prosperous province, we will eventually have to surrender our office to the voice of our critics.

True leaders are not led by their critics but they navigate their lives according to the blue print of their vision of what is supposed to be done and not by what is supposed to be said by critics. We cannot just whack anybody because they do not like us or agree with us. We cannot please everyone. As a leader, we must fight for what is good and stand on righteousness. If we are short of these, then I point you to the Righteous One who alone could change your destiny and change your character.

Nehemiah changed the destiny of a ravaged city by building and restoring the ruins of the city and when his critics told him to come down and talk with them seeing that the project he was doing is about to be completed. He said one of the most stunning resolve of any governor yet—“Should a man like me who is busy doing good things for our people go down and meet with these critics? Should a man like me run and talk with these non-sense guys? No, it shall not be because I am busy!” (my paraphrase: see Nehemiah 6:11). Indeed, people who are busy doing good works have no time to pay attention to the voice of their critics because their works speak more than what they could ever say. I believe there is a good side in everyone’s point but the timing of what is being said and how it is delivered may differ and may cause irritation. The spoken truth without love can also destroy people.

Yes it is true that we need to expose the truth for others to see, but we must also be circumspect. The problem is, media is not under any body because they are a self-regulating body who feels their calling is to expose corruption, and expose the dead works of men. Change is necessary however, and it may well be that we can also speak the truth without actually fuelling anger. It is true that Paul wrote that we should speak the truth to all men and everyone to his neighbour but we must not forget that this should be spoken in love. Just as you don’t speak to your spouse all the foul things you know of her, so we should be circumspect in the way we want to bring change to our province. Speak the truth is one and good but it must always be seasoned with grace so that the hearers will also know what to do. It is not only in what we know that we will be judged but also how we help solved the problem.

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Eph 4:25-29 THE MESSAGE)