V16: ACCOUNTABILITY

Responsibility towards oneself, the

people, government, nation and future
generations

In leadership roles, accountability is the acknowledgment and assumption of

responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and policies including the
administration, governance, and implementation within the scope of the role
or employment position and encompassing the obligation to report, explain
and be answerable for resulting consequences. In other words, it is the
answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-
giving (Wikipedia).

The value of accountability must be possessed by every leader and everyone

who is aspiring for leadership function because some desire promotion but
refuse to assume responsibility for their acts. They only want the benefits and
not the liability. They do not want to answer for the consequences of their
actions and decisions or the acts of their subordinates which is incorporated
in their positions. Others do not want to give account. To simply illustrate, it is
like giving a little child 20-peso bill to buy a bottle of vinegar which costs
Php15.00. Upon purchase, the child should give the bottle of vinegar and
return the change of Php5.00. This is very applicable to those in the elective
office. They have been entrusted with leadership functions by the people in
the exercise of their right of suffrage. They ought to give account by being
faithful to fulfill their oath of office and political platforms. As to those
appointed and employed in the government service, they must give account by
giving their best in the public service and by observing the standard operating
procedures.

Reflecting on the above interpretations of accountability, the Philippines is in

need of leaders with accountability. The high rate of graft and corruption
signifies lack of accountability in government and utter disregard of the
consequences of wrongdoings. What is more detestable is not just the inability
to give what is due to the people but the shameful indifference of the adverse
effects of their misconduct to the future generations.
To save our country therefore is to develop a culture of accountability in
public service because it increases responsiveness to the needs and plight of
our citizens. As the American Management Association states, “Only when you
assume full accountability for your thoughts, feelings, actions, and results can
you direct your own destiny; otherwise, someone or something else will.” The
real value and benefit of accountability stems from the ability to influence
events and outcomes before they happen.” By accountability, we can preempt
any untoward incident in the country and we can direct a bright destiny for all.
It is just a matter of taking full accountability of our own thoughts, feelings,
and actions as stakeholders of a better future. It is not letting our own soul go
unrestraint because of our personal agenda or any other motivation aside from
public welfare and common good. As “public office is public trust,” we should
live with accountability to ourselves, to the people, to the government, to the
nation and to the future generations to come.