When it comes to presidents, the Philippines has seen it all. We have been under the leadership of a former action star, a brilliant but ruthless dictator, a newspaper founder, a courageous housewife, and a high-ranking military man, to name a few.
And then there was Ramon Magsaysay, a former automobile mechanic whom esteemed political analyst and professor Jose Abueva describes as the “yardstick by which Filipino presidents should be judged.”
Born Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay, he was the seventh president of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30, 1953 until his untimely death in an aircraft accident on March 17, 1957. Dubbed the “Champion of the Masses,” he was known for opening the gates of Malacañang, quite literally, to the public, which made the palace lawns resemble picnic grounds throughout the mid-50s. He recognized the role of peasant farmers as “the backbone of the nation” and worked hard on land reforms for their benefit, opening personal consultations and dialogues with the common man two or three times a week. Although his administration was imperfect — a natural thing, given the nature of the work and the gravity of the responsibilities at hand — his example of servant leadership concretized the ideal of a government that is for, by, and of the people.
Having evolved from history into legacy, he is remembered to this day through the Ramon Magsaysay Award, widely considered to be the Asian Nobel Prize. Established in 1958, the award seeks to distinguish those who exemplify integrity in governance, courageous service, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. As we commemorate his death anniversary this month, we recognize that his life of service is a hopeful reminder that it is possible for Filipinos to elect a leader who will put the country’s best interests first before any personal and selfish gain.
As the different candidates continue to bombard our eyes and ears with propaganda heading into the national elections this May, it is important that we keep in mind the examples of our past. Over half a century ago, Magsaysay proved that a Filipino president is capable of leading a country plagued by corruption into an era in which trade and industry flourished, military forces were noble and dependable, and Filipinos were recognized internationally in sports and culture. The Philippines ranked second in a list of Asia’s cleanest and best-governed countries all without succumbing to the rampant corruption that continues to plague our system, and without resorting to the cronyism, nepotism, an iron fist, and human rights violations that other leaders of supposedly (and erroneously) similar renown are also infamous for.
When we think of Magsaysay as the yardstick by which our presidents should be judged, we extend this notion to today’s presidential aspirants and look at how they measure up. In a way, we must also extend it to ourselves, recognizing that inasmuch as a country is a reflection of the performance of its government, the government is also a reflection of its people. This month, when we remember Magsaysay, we remember a Philippines that was, and look forward with hope and determination towards a Philippines that could be.
