Elite leaders for public service

The world was treated with some good news when 12 Thai boys were rescued from a flooded cave. They were rescued by the Thai Navy Seals, and although one lost his life, these men and women were the elite of the elite, purposely trained for such unprecedented tasks.

When elites take charge, they clearly know what they are doing. We have to apply the same principle of elitism in public governance. Most of those who seek public office only have one thing in mind, and that is to enrich themselves at the expense of the public.

Some do not need to dip their hands in public coffers; they will let private enterprises under their influence fatten their bank accounts. Most of these politicians do not know anything about nation-building or the common good, words that are alien to their hearts.

Now is the time to harvest the most qualified Filipinos for public service and to cull those unqualified through a battery of relevant tests.

Our nation has to start choosing elite leaders. I think this is the type of discussion that is missing in the legislative and executive branches. So what if we have federalism or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, if the leaders chosen to run them are just as unqualified to serve?

JOSE SANTAMARIA, [email protected]