Q
Imagine you want to do your job well because you took an oath to enforce the law fairly. What will you do if you encounter someone who’s “the son of his father” and demands special treatment?
Laws and policies do not exist without a reason
Imagine if we had no laws or policies. The strong could abuse their power, and the deceitful could steal your property without consequences.
According to the philosopher John Locke, every human has certain natural rights. Even without a government, each of us has the right to live our lives, make our own choices, and enjoy the fruits of our labor and property.
In his political philosophy, government exists because we, the governed, agreed to have one. This is to protect our individual rights and freedoms and prevent others from violating them.
However, rules will not take effect without humans to regulate them.
That’s why we have police, traffic enforcers, local peacekeepers, pollution control officer, and traffic enforcers to implement the traffic rules.
Once you clock out of the office, you are no longer the manager in your office. Out on the streets, it is now your turn to follow the traffic rules and respect traffic enforcers. At the restaurant, wait for your turn and be polite to the crew and security guards.
Being a human is complicated. However, some people mistake their job or their bloodline for their whole identity. And oftentimes, this overlaps with the rights and duties of others.
It is hard to serve the public as a Maguindanaon because you anticipate anytime who perceive themselves as exempt from the rules. Because, you know, you cannot serve your community if you are dead.
How this became normalized in our culture is beyond your control. What’s within your control to help correct this culture is your actions.
Do you do your duty as a smart Bangsamoro?
Sometimes we’re so quick to blame the the government for our poverty status that we often overlook our own responsibilities as the governed, which is simply to obey the law.
Do you throw your garbage into the trash bin out of respect for the people who also enjoy the place?
Do you follow traffic rules to ensure your fellow driver’s safety?
Do you fall in line out of respect for others who arrive before you?
Waiting for the green light before crossing at the pedestrian lane, even when there are no cars around, won’t earn you a trophy.
But in this simple way, you help show that Moros are disciplined, too.
