By Jose V. Abueva*

1. Electing “transforming leaders” to initiate “System change” for good governance and nation-building. The crucial importance of our 2010 elections! By Jose V. Abueva* Founding President of Kalayaan College and Director of its Institute of Federal-Parliamentary Democracy, U.P.Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration. Member of the Citizens Movement for a Federal Philippines,

2. What kind of Leaders shall we elect? • “Good Leaders” defined only as honest and trustworthy? • Are the 2010 Elections simply “a struggle between good and evil”? →These are campaign slogans that oversimplify our complex problems as a developing nation and an aspiring democracy. →They insult our intelligence.

3. The Big Picture: Multiple Crises • We are a weak and divided nation suffering from mass poverty, underdevelopment, injustice, homelessness, violence and rebellion, corruption, lack of global competitiveness, environmental decay, and our exploding population. 2. We have a weak or “Soft” State that show signs of a “Failing State.” 3. We have not consolidated our democracy since the EDSA Revolt in 1986- 24 years ago.

4. Our democracy is at risk because it is not working according to our vision and ideals of a just and humane society and good governance; because many Filipinos are dissatisfied. • 5. Our democracy is so unstable that it is still reversible, the way that Ferdinand Marcos destroyed our democracy and established his dictatorship. We hear talk of revolution. These are the challenges we face in our 2010 Elections!

5. We need “Leaders for System change!” • Who will change our system of governance and development. • Who will pursue a radical paradigm of governance and development vaguely implicit in our “people power” revolt at EDSA in 1986, and therefore not understood. • Who will build and govern our country “bottom-up,” with genuine and sustained “people power.” (Popular Sovereignty. Subsidiarity Principle)

6. We must elect transforming political leaders. • Who are transparent and truthful to our people; • Who have the wisdom, courage and skills to bring about the basic changes in the institutions, policies, and processes of our governance with the people’s enlightened support. • Who will heed the demands of many thoughtful leaders and citizens around the country who have been demanding those changes.

7. Transforming leaders: • the kind who challenge and inspire our citizens and leaders to raise their aspirations and goals to higher levels of morality, self-fulfillment, and national progress for the common good. • by definition they inspire a change in the values and behavior of their co-leaders and citizens; together they achieve reforms in policies, structures, and institutions for good governance and nation-building.

8. The formation of transforming leaders and enlightened citizens is a crucial aspect of nation-building and democratization especially in our oligarchic and unjust society. • Fortunately, more and more transforming leaders in various walks of life, like the many who are involved in the Gawad Kalinga movement. • Like our local leaders in the Galing-Pook Movement.

9. Seeking what is right and good in politics and private life. • Our leaders and citizens would do well for our country by practicing our religions and our secular idealism expressed in our Constitution and laws. • Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us His model of humble, self-less “servant leadership” for the good of all and especially the least and excluded.

10. Transforming leaders for System change and nation-building are the candidates we should look for in the ongoing electoral campaign. Thus the crucial importance of our 2010 elections!