On VP Sara’s brinkmanship

An old dictionary definition of statesmanship lists three virtues as among the core values of political leaders. These are: virtue, a sense of justice, and wisdom, in addition to having “dignitas” or dignity, generosity, and magnanimity.

Statespersons are imbued with these traits and are known to be steadfast and consistent in behaving to manifest these core values. They are not likely to change these in favor of advancing their political career. Sadly, with the current political dynamics seen daily on both mainstream and social media, we are witnessing behavior that upholds brinkmanship rather than statesmanship.

I’m not quite comfortable with that gender-insensitive term, “statesmanship,” that was universally accepted when gender-fair words were yet a thing of the future. I first heard the word “statesmanship” to refer to historical figures like former British prime minister Winston Churchill, and Philippine senators like Lorenzo Tañada, Jose W. Diokno, and Jovito Salonga, who were esteemed, highly respected, and principled politicians. Except for one or two senators, the current roster of today’s upper chamber pales in comparison to their illustrious colleagues in the past.

Today, we have politicians who display brinkmanship and pursue dangerous policies “… to the limits of safety before stopping.” In the games that these politicians play, there is a strong likelihood that some aspects of their political life will collapse sooner than later. However, brinkmanship can also lead to something worth sacrificing if it entails a choice between the greater good and the interest of a few.

An example of this was the “surgical” operation that former United States president Barack Obama launched to ensure the death of alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden who was then hiding out in Pakistan. Bin Laden was widely known to have spawned other terrorist organizations including the Taliban and the Abu Sayyaf. Obama risked violating several principles that freedom-loving world leaders have openly espoused.

One of them is respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty since the US-led military operation was done clandestinely, without going through the usual diplomatic route of coordinating with the Pakistani government. While the operation succeeded, many ethical questions were raised, especially the disregard for the sovereignty of an independent state.

In contrast, many Filipino politicians have succumbed to brinkmanship to advance their personal interest, usually their family goal of perpetuating vainglorious fictional “legacies” that coincide with their pecuniary desires. The latter is manifested in the proliferation of political dynasties in the country, both at the national and local government levels.

Brinkmanship in the use of public funds without accounting for them is apparent in the case of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, the elusive subject of a House inquiry and a Senate hearing on the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The series of investigations in both chambers have unraveled various narratives of insidious schemes in the use of the OVP’s confidential funds, including spending P125 million in confidential funds within a record-breaking 11 days, without proper documentation and the needed Commission on Audit documentation.

As concurrent Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, VP Sara Duterte showed similar brinkmanship like “bribing” subordinates in the procurement section and, as uncovered by no less than current DepEd secretary, Sonny Angara himself, hoarding various supplies—from nutribuns to textbooks—that have yet to be distributed to their intended recipients until now.

In the House budget hearing, the budget for the DepEd Computerization Program under the management of VP Sara from 2022 to 2023 has been shown to be anomalously spent, as scrutinized by Rep. Gerville Luistro of the second district of Batangas.

I wonder how—and why—VP Sara made those dubious decisions that are now being unearthed through the House investigations. Maybe because she is part of a family whose patriarch led the country in questionable policies and interventions that gave rise to extrajudicial killings and dangerous liaisons with China, among others. And this family wants to perpetuate itself in power in the forthcoming midterm elections.

Cuidate!

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