"Strike while the iron is hot" is a popular idiomatic expression that means do something immediately while you have a good chance of achieving success. The expression was sent to me by Lambat Philippines founder Conrado Tolosa to alert me of an Adminitrative Order (AO) issued by President Macapagal-Arroyo instructing all Cabinet and government agency officials to lead moral renewal to their respective offices.
“Moral renewal refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees as well as strengthening of people’s values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption,” she said. All Cabinet and agency leaders should also promote the Filipino values of being “maka-Diyos,” “maka-tao,” “makabayan,” and “maka-kalikasan,” the AO said.
Moral renewal and the promotion of Filipino values is exactly the mission of Lambat Philippines as well as this blog The Living Rice. The AO is a good sign for Lambat and other ministries to expand and teach Filipino and Biblical values to all Filipinos.
I commend the formation of the AO and I am very hopeful that our government officials can uphold their ethical standards and influence their agencies at the same time. As for GMA, I am a bit skeptical of her sincerity because of the alleged corruption problems she and her husband are involved in that are still unaddressed. If she want all government officials to be influencers of good character and honest government it should start with her.
As for me and I hope the rest of the Filipinos, the AO is a call to be more watchful and demand more accountability in the government.
See full report on Manila Bulletin or below from Journal Online.
LEAD in the campaign to promote zero tolerance for corruption and other good deeds among government employees.
President Macapagal-Arroyo issued Administrative Order 255 directing all Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies to lead moral renewal in their respective agencies.
“Moral renewal refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees as well as strengthening of people’s values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption,” she said.
All Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies should also promote the Filipino values of being “maka-Diyos,” “maka-tao,” “makabayan,” and “maka-kalikasan,” the AO said.
The order tasked all agencies to submit their respective Moral Renewal Program to the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and the Office of the President within 90 days. The PAGC on the other hand shall submit regular reports to the President on the progress and implementation of the program copy furnished all the religious, civil society and civic groups that have been enlisted by the different agencies.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President’s directive is in response to public opinion amid persistent allegations of corruption in government.
“If we are calling on the people to tighten belts and sacrifice in view of the global economic crisis, officials of government should also lead by example,” he said.
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