By Dr. Tony Leachon
Leadership is not only about speeches delivered in global forums; it is about the choices leaders make in their daily conduct.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has shown that humility can be a form of strength. In October 2024, he boarded a Scoot Airlines flight from Laos to Singapore—economy class, no frills, no private jet. Passengers applauded, and the world admired his frugality. This was not an isolated gesture. By tradition, Singapore’s prime ministers generally travel on commercial airlines, sometimes even budget carriers, with small delegations. They do not maintain a taxpayer-funded government jet. This practice reflects a deep respect for the people’s money and a commitment to shared sacrifice.
By contrast, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently urged Filipinos to tighten their belts amid rising fuel and electricity costs, yet traveled to New York aboard a government plane. For poor families rationing every peso, this paradox is painful. They see the disconnect between the call for restraint and the comfort of privilege.
The lesson is clear: credibility is born from example. When leaders visibly share in the burdens they ask of their citizens, trust is strengthened, and unity is preserved. The Filipino poor—jeepney drivers, farmers, daily wage earners—already live the reality of sacrifice. They deserve leaders who walk with them, not apart from them.
True leadership is not about privilege, but about solidarity. It is not about convenience, but about compassion. And in times of crisis, the most powerful energy we can conserve is not oil or electricity, but the trust and hope of our people.
Tony Leachon
No comments:
Post a Comment