Juan Carlo Castañeda April 26, 2018

Legal Philosophy Paper

Introduction:
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss
drives” this is one of the quotes Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the United States is
famous for. It could be considered that Theodore Roosevelt is one of the Presidents of United
States that exemplifies good leadership throughout his time as the President and one of the
noble statesmen that lived. But what would be the characteristic or traits of a good leader? This
is what would the author of this paper would try to explain through the assigned readings in
which characteristics of a true leader and principles of those who served in the public where
explained.
Seven Principles of Public Life:
The Nolan Report Committee on Standards in Public Life enumerates the principles in
which a public servant should embody to fully perform its duty as a public officer. In Philippine
Legislation, a law is passed in 1989 known as Republic Act No. 6713 in which it established A
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Incidentally, they
have some similarities in which they both enumerate the standards in public life. One of which is
Selflessness in which R.A No. 6713 under Section 4 that include the Norms of Conduct of
Public Officials and Employees is similar with Commitment with Public Interest in which public
officials should exhibit that the primary purpose in public life is public service and not personal
gain or financial interest. Also, the Nolan Report mentioned about integrity in which public office
should not be influenced by outside individuals and organizations in which R.A No. 6713 under
Section 4 shall observe professionalism which discourages public officials of undue patronage
that might influence their role as a public servant. Objectivity is also an important principle to
uplift the public officers through merits and incentives in which R.A No. 6713 recognized in
which the Civil Service Commission is tasked to review the public officials and provide for a
system of incentives to motivate public officials in their service. Another principle provided is that
Public Officers should observed accountability; this is evident from Section 8 of R.A No. 6713 in
which Public Officials should provide statements and disclosures of their property. This is why a
SALN or Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth is required for the public officials for the
public to see the information regarding the properties of the public official but also their spouse
and unmarried children. In this way accountability would be exercised and the public would not
be deprived of knowing if the public official has unscrupulous activities that would not make
him/her a good public servant. Openness and honesty is also included in the principles of public
life in which R.A No. 6713 embody in Section 4 and of the said law in which public officials in the
Philippines were required to provide information of their policies and procedures in clear and
understandable language, ensure openness of information. In this regard, public official duty is
to ensure that in performing their function the public would be informed of their decisions and
policies. R.A No. 6713 embody the principle of leadership in Section 4 when it provided that
professionalism should be norm of conduct because it is important for a public official to be look
upon by the public and they should set an example of themselves that they have the qualities of
a good public official. It could be said that R.A No. 6713 embody the seven principles mentioned
in the Nolan Report Committee through the salient provisions of the law in which all public
officials in the Philippines should uphold with integrity.
Marks of True Leadership:
“Change is Coming”. During the 2016 Presidential Elections this has been the battle cry
of President Rodrigo Duterte and its supporters assuring the people that when Rodrigo Duterte
became a President change would be seen in our country. It could be said that the President
may have the mark of a true leader since he has the vision of changing the status of our
country. Former Senator Jovito Salonga explains the difference between transactional and
transforming leadership. Transforming leadership could be present in 2016 with President
Duterte with how he conduct his speeches during campaign and debates when he talked about
his campaign against criminality, particularly with his campaign in drugs. But two years after his
election as President, same problems still is evident in the country. It could be inferred that
current leadership lacks the third mark which is hard work and perseverance, but it could not be
said that the Administration is not doing anything at all that has a positive effect on our country,
it just that some problems from the past administrations were still present in the current one.
One of the criticism of the current administration is the rampant killings which is drug-related, in
this regard the current administration may need to recognized the moral sense of the
administration. It must provide measures that would exemplify that it recognized morality even
though there is a great need to eradicate criminality in our country. The current leadership must
not do away with means that is morally correct; it should not rely on measures of eradicating
criminality but at the same time does not have a sense of what is right and wrong. The current
leadership exhibit the last mark of true leadership which is service, it could be said that there are
many programs and accomplishments within the two years of service of the administration. In
conclusion, the current administration is not all about flaws but it has its share of brilliance and
marks of a true leader which could be instrumental in leading our country to a much greater
change.