It is a return bout. For the third time, “Among Ed” meets “Nanay Baby” to fight for the title, Governor of Pampanga.
They first clashed six years ago when, Fr. Ed T. Panlilio threw his capped tonsured head into the ring against the then politician-business woman with successful entrepreneurial ventures, Ms. Lilia G. Pineda.
The good priest, backed by the so called religious sectors, the civil society and the “holier-than-thou” mentality, had to go against the advice of his archbishop, the well-loved and respected, “Apung Ceto” who had to suspend him from his priestly duties.
The fight was complicated by the incumbent governor, Mark Lapid, the son of Senator Lito Lapid better known as “Leon Guerrero” of cine fame, who provided the third corner in the fight.
In what was to be considered as a major upset, Among Ed won by a narrow margin over Nanay Baby and the young Mark.
This win was contested and as usual, with only a few months left in his three year term, Among Ed was declared to have lost to Nanay Baby. Ms. Pineda was gracious enough to let the priest finish his term.
Let it be or “eya gagad” for the power. She wanted to prove her win to be convincing in the next elections.
When they clashed for the second time, Ms. Pineda did prove her point. She won the elections clearly and convincingly. Off course, there was the usual grumbling about vote buying and other types of cheating.
But then, most everybody considered the win to be a “fait accompli.” And the now Governor Baby Pineda plowed into her work with much energy and commitment towards bringing development to Pampanga.
She also had to contend with providing leadership and address the problems brought about by the typhoons and floods which wracked the province.
While her first year in office was during the remaining year of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, an ally and a townmate from Lubao, ensuring access and support, her last two years were now and will be during President Noy Noy Aquino’s term. At least President Noy P. is a Kapampangan.
However, with both protagonists having had the opportunity to serve as Pampanga Governor, the bases for comparing and contrasting their personal and professional qualifications, competences and delivery of results are now available as our terms of reference for a choice.
While I would like to think that I have competence in economics and management and teach and provide consultancy in these areas, politics has always escaped my area of experience and accomplishment.
Therefore, let me share with you the beliefs and recommendations of Lee Iacocca from his book, “ Where Have All The Leaders Gone?” Iacocca saved the Chrysler Corporation from financial ruin, oversaw the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and founded the Iacocca Institute of leadership at Lehigh University.
He has known more leaders worldwide- nine US presidents, many heads of state and CEOs of top corporations and authored number one bestsellers, Iococca: An Autobiography and Talking Straight.
Iococca lists “Nine Cs of Leadership”: CURIOSITY – listen even to people outside his yes circle and voraciously search for information; CREATIVITY – think outside the box; COMMUNICATION – facing reality anf telling the truth;
CHARACTER – knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the right thing;
COURAGE – taking a correct position even if it will cost you; CONVICTION – passion to want to get things done;
CHARISMA – ability to inspire and be trusted; COMPETENCE – know what you are doing and surround yourself with people who know what they are doing; and COMMON SENSE-being reality based.
All of these are tested in times of crises. And likewise, these must be forged and operational most particularly during normal times in order to achieve the vision- mission for the best of times and prepare for the worst of times.
How do we decide the third match-up? In some corporations, we utilize the balanced scorecard or a performance evaluation instrument to determine historical performance and find out who gets promoted or fired.
Even basketball players in the NBA or PBA are statistically rated. The same approach is utilized for recruitment, particularly for managerial talent. Why do we not do this in the political world?
Maybe it is because our leaders do not provide the correct example. Look at the senatorial lineups presented to us by both parties.
These are the perfect examples of political dynasties, cronyism, COOs (child of owners) and retreads available.
It seems that the “daan matuwid” does not walk the talk. The real “thrilla” may really be gone.
