A Search for the CEO of the Highest Office

By Willy E. Arcilla

The job of an executive search firm, or a “headhunter,” is to find the best possible candidate for the required position of an organization. It is both challenging and fulfilling because it gives an opportunity to help people – both the company and the candidate. The dream engagement of any “headhunter” must therefore be an assignment to fill the post of CEO for a country of 90Million producing an annual GDP of US$120B and facing an exciting future -- to search and shortlist candidates for the highest Office of the Land -- who will become the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines – for the evaluation and election of our voters -- the ultimate stakeholders in our democracy.

To perform that job, a “headhunter” needs to clearly define the qualifications of that position. The 1987 Constitution merely provides the minimum requirements in terms of age, nationality, moral standing and basic education. Since these are inadequate, let us take the liberty to propose 9 qualities by making an acronym from the word 'President'.

The 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines must possess the following qualities:

P – Passionate about the People of the Philippines. With Proven Performance in Public service that has earned for him Public trust among Filipinos and foreigners alike. Practices what he Preaches -- even before Preaching. Pro-Poor. Pro-Prosperity. Professional. Progressive. Positive. Patient. Peace-loving. Prayerful.

R – Respectable. A Radical and a Reformer yet Respectful of the Rule-of-law. Restores hope and Raises spirits. Responsible and Results-oriented. Resilient.

E – Energetic and Energizing as he Empowers all 90M Filipinos to be the best that they can be in order to bring out the best in their country. Effective and Exemplary in discharging his duties to be a sterling Example for Everyone.

S – Selfless Servant leader with the Skills, Stamina and Spirit of Sacrifice and Surrender to God with no personal agenda in seeking the highest office of the country. One who Synthesizes and Synergizes Small disparate parts into a greater unified Sum. Simple lifestyle based on needs, not wants. Strategic. Smart. Savvy.

I – Idealistic with Inspiring Vision-Mission-Values and a strong bias-for-action. Intelligent. Industrious. Intense. Imaginative. Inventive. Innovative. Independent. Inclusive (vs. exclusive). Intrepid. Has Integrity to the point of Incorruptibility.

D – Decisive and Dynamic. Driven and Determined. Development-oriented, Dedicated to simultaneously pursue economic growth with income redistribution. Detached from temptations of fame, power and money. Disciplined and Diligent.

E – Has Enthusiasm and Endurance. Expertise and Experience. Empathy and Emotional Quotient. Executional Excellence defined by quality, speed and cost.

N – Non-compromising on values and standards. Not arrogant Nor overbearing. Non-denominational. Non-partisan. Non-conformist yet Non-confrontational. Non-combative and Non-violent. Never-say-die attitude to reach our aspiration for the Philippines to become the promised land of milk and honey. Noble.

T – Truthful. Trustworthy. Transparent. Take charge attitude. Tenacious. Tireless.

After going through this list of qualifications, we can conclude some of the presidential aspirants may not be the most suitable. Granted everyone must be good, some even great, but at this point in the history of our nation, we need someone who is HEROIC.

Our people have suffered for too long under the selfish leadership of traditional politicians from the legislative and executive branches who continued to “prefer a nation run like hell by Filipinos”. It is time for change. If a people gets a government it deserves, let us demand for a “nation run like heaven by Filipinos” that we deserve.

The jaded may be tempted to ask, can all these qualities be found in a Filipino? Is there really someone from our midst consumed with love for God and country who can fulfill these lofty expectations and unify our hitherto divided people -- the Haves with Have-Nots, the Elite with the Masses, the Rich with the Poor, Ilocanos with Bicolanos, Tagalogs with Cebuanos, Muslims with Christians, Protestants with Catholics, Labor with Management; Landowners with Farmers; the AFP with the NPA, the OFWs with locals; the Pinoys with Chinoys and Tisoys, the Private with Public sectors, GOs with NGOs, even rivals Ateneo with La Salle, competitors like Smart with Globe, warring university fraternities, the Mayors with Governors, the Senate with the Congress and all presidential contenders with one another – who can inspire heroism, restore hope and regain the dignity for a people that has suffered from a wounded self-esteem and a lack of national pride -- to discover their God-given potential and unleash the synergy from working in bayanihan to achieve our common aspirations for prosperity and peace?

Thankfully, my search has concluded there is such a man who to many is already a living hero, and the promised land we dream of is not only possible, but is already happening.

In a developing country where the rich-poor gap seems widening and 10M of our best and brightest compatriots have left; where 70% remain landless and millions are homeless; where 45M continue to struggle in poverty; nearly 20% experience involuntary hunger and 25% of our children remain malnourished, we must uplift our poor to unleash their potential and enable them to contribute to rebuilding the nation. If God said he can be found in the Poor, let us choose a Man of the Poor, for he must be a Man of God.

I asked one such man who may perhaps be the most suitable candidate for the Presidency if he is willing to take the spirit of a wonderful movement he has championed to the highest level, and lead the transformation of the entire nation into God's Kingdom where there is “Less for Self. More for Others. Enough for All”. The poor love him as their father and the rich entrust their treasures to him, both young and old volunteer their time and talent through him, Filipinos are inspired by him and foreigners drawn to him. He averred, “I am not a politician, but an ordinary citizen who wants to help his countrymen rediscover the greatness God has bestowed on Filipinos.” His statement reminds us of the sage advice, “Whoever is the least interested in power is the most deserving of it.”

Indeed, we can only conclude that a vote for this man must be a vote for God.