Trust - Please Handle with Care

by: Nathaniel A. Saquiban

When discussing trust, we always think of that famous statement in our Constitution: “Public office is a public trust.” This statement will never be fulfilled without the civil servants meeting the requirement of being trustworthy and accurate representatives of the public office concerned. In the past, we heard some stories that some clientele lost their trust in government offices due to bureaucratic inconveniences, illegal schemes, and taxing procedures in availing their services. It is more alarming to hear on a broader scale when investors refuse to invest their resources in our country because of a loss of trust. Allegedly, some are being unduly required to pay a sum long before the contract is executed or as early as in the proposal stage. It is a sad story in our local jurisdiction. 
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In the above situation, trust should be earned. Before we can expect others to trust us, we should exert effort that we deserve that trust in integrity and reliability. We should ensure that we are trustworthy enough to assume the office assigned to us and committed to performing the duties and responsibilities attached to it diligently. Thus, our laws prohibit any civil servant from having a financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract, or transaction in which he/she intervenes or takes part in his/her official capacity. In like manner, it is required that public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill and shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. 

If we belong to government service, do we deserve the trust of others, both from our colleagues and clientele? Are we building the trust of the people transacting in our office? Do we remain on guard in our conduct and character to preserve the dignity of public office? If part of the corporate world transacts with the government, do we comply with the standard requirements imposed? These are reflective questions we must answer and contemplate if we are to preserve public trust in any public office. It is a must for all who believe that trust is a non-negotiable value. It cannot be compromised, nor can it be downgraded. 

Know how valuable trust is. Due to trust, opportunities will be opened. It is the foundation for promotion, rewards, grants, appointments, elections, and other favors or benefits. On the contrary, if trust is lost, opportunities will be closed. As mentioned by Invajy, “Trust is fragile, don’t break it: Once broken, it will never come back to its original shape.” We concede to that statement.

Similarly, it further states: “Trust takes many years to build, few seconds to break, and forever to repair.” It is indeed vital yet delicate and must be handled with care. Trust is a vital ingredient in all forms of relationships, partnerships, and engagements. It is a stepping stone to unity and progress.