Transparency as a Norm in Public Service

by: Nathaniel A. Saquiban

An object that is clear and light can pass through it is called transparent. But if that object is cloudy and dirty, it suppresses the light from coming through it. The same is true in our life. If our life is clear from all forms of wickedness, people can see through our life. Nothing is hidden from them. They can identify that we are genuine in our expression of love and affection. On the contrary, if our life is dim, people cannot see the whole picture of who we are. Chances are they have reservations in their dealings with us. We cannot gain their trust and confidence. 

From the above standpoint, we can determine how important a life that is open book to anyone. It is a powerful weapon that refutes all forms of doubt to a person’s life. It is a life that is clean and blameless. It is a life of integrity. Consequently, people who are transparent have the stature, right, and authority to correct any wrongdoing. They are look up to in high esteem and their lives are vouched by others. They set the example as they model a proper lifestyle.

While having a transparent life may be easy to some, it is quite hard to others. Nonetheless, this is encouraged the moment a person enters into public service. In public service, a public life and private life are intertwined because a person is still known as public servant even in his or her private life. Thus, he or she cannot misbehave in private life simply because it is his or her private life. He or she should not forbid the authorities from inquiry or investigation about his or her private life if it has a connection with his or her public function such as the use of public funds for private purpose.

The government, for its part, is doing its best to observe transparency in public service. All national government agencies are required to maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. Also, the Constitution itself is replete with provisions that uphold the value of transparency. It declared that the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law. It also guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern. It is at this premise that the Freedom of Information Bill was drafted, pursuance to the principle that public records or documents are accessible to the public.

Being transparent to the public is being accountable to the public. The public has the right to be informed because it is their taxes paid that are being spent in public expenditures. It is also the exercise of their right of suffrage that is being exploited in the performance of public function by an elective official. They put the public official into leadership, thus, their right to know how their leaders are functioning. We, therefore, should not hide anything from our people. Barangays should continue conduct general assembly. Local government units should continually observe full public disclosure. Government agencies should keep the practice of holding public consultation.