Being a denizen of Kyusi, in honour of the man who gave my city its name and for being the most colourful prez the Philippines ever had, I have the pleasure to post Manuel L Quezon's Code of Ethics on his birthday. Let us profit from the wisdom of the Kastila.
1. Have Faith in the Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and nations.
2. Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affection and the source of your happiness and well-being. It's defense is your primary duty. Be ready to sacrifice and die for it if necessary.
3. Respect the Constitution which is the expression of your sovereign will. The government is your government. It has been established for your safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials comply with their duties.
4. Pay your taxes willingly and promptly. Citizenship implies not only rights but obligations.
5. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decisions of the majority.
6. Love and respect your parents. It is your duty to serve them gratefully and well.
7. Value your honor as you value your life. Poverty with honor is preferable to wealth with dishonor.
8. Be truthful and be honest in thought and in action. Be just charitable, courteous but dignified in your dealings with your fellowmen.
9. Lead a clean and frugal life. Do not indulge in frivolity or pretense. Be simple in your dress and modest in behavior.
10. Live up to the noble traditions of our people. Venerate the memory of our heroes. Their lives point the way to duty and honor.
11. Be industrious. Be not afraid or ashamed to do manual labor. Productive toil is conducive to economic security and adds to the wealth of the nation.
12. Rely on your efforts for your progress and happiness. Be not easily discouraged. Persevere in the pursuit of your legitimate ambitions.
13. Do your work cheerfully, thoroughly, and well. Work badly done is worse than work undone. Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
14. Contribute to the welfare of your community and promote social justice. You do not live for yourselves and your family alone. You are a part of society to which you have definite responsibilities.
15. Cultivate the habit of using goods made in the Philippines. Patronize the products and trades of your countrymen.
16. Use and develop our natural resources and conserve them for posterity. They are an inalienable heritage of your people. Do not traffic with your citizenship.
Codes of ethics were once learned by heart by people who knew that they were building a nation. Quezon's and my grandfather's generation were conscious that they were building a nation. But these codes now seem passe but we have to relearn them if we are still interested in building our Philippines. From the codes we can assess where we are going and how much we have built or destroyed. Unfortunately in the last generation or so, we have done more of the latter. Quezon's code is also profitable reading for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. How much Madame President have you built? How much have you destroyed?
1. Have Faith in the Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and nations.
2. Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affection and the source of your happiness and well-being. It's defense is your primary duty. Be ready to sacrifice and die for it if necessary.
3. Respect the Constitution which is the expression of your sovereign will. The government is your government. It has been established for your safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials comply with their duties.
4. Pay your taxes willingly and promptly. Citizenship implies not only rights but obligations.
5. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decisions of the majority.
6. Love and respect your parents. It is your duty to serve them gratefully and well.
7. Value your honor as you value your life. Poverty with honor is preferable to wealth with dishonor.
8. Be truthful and be honest in thought and in action. Be just charitable, courteous but dignified in your dealings with your fellowmen.
9. Lead a clean and frugal life. Do not indulge in frivolity or pretense. Be simple in your dress and modest in behavior.
10. Live up to the noble traditions of our people. Venerate the memory of our heroes. Their lives point the way to duty and honor.
11. Be industrious. Be not afraid or ashamed to do manual labor. Productive toil is conducive to economic security and adds to the wealth of the nation.
12. Rely on your efforts for your progress and happiness. Be not easily discouraged. Persevere in the pursuit of your legitimate ambitions.
13. Do your work cheerfully, thoroughly, and well. Work badly done is worse than work undone. Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
14. Contribute to the welfare of your community and promote social justice. You do not live for yourselves and your family alone. You are a part of society to which you have definite responsibilities.
15. Cultivate the habit of using goods made in the Philippines. Patronize the products and trades of your countrymen.
16. Use and develop our natural resources and conserve them for posterity. They are an inalienable heritage of your people. Do not traffic with your citizenship.
Codes of ethics were once learned by heart by people who knew that they were building a nation. Quezon's and my grandfather's generation were conscious that they were building a nation. But these codes now seem passe but we have to relearn them if we are still interested in building our Philippines. From the codes we can assess where we are going and how much we have built or destroyed. Unfortunately in the last generation or so, we have done more of the latter. Quezon's code is also profitable reading for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. How much Madame President have you built? How much have you destroyed?
Comments
May I just add my two-thumbs up for this item! On the few instances that I am previlaged to speak to an audience, I always emphasize that the solutions to all the problems faced by the country now, were already "formulated/recommended" by Manuael Quezaon, in one his earliest Executive Orders. In the Fair Trade movement, where I am committed, I always point out to our Citizens to check out what is posted at the entrance of the Memorial Circle, and ponder deeply.
Cheers to a fairer and modre prosperous world!
Vic