“A commander who kneels before God will never bow to corruption, fear, or deceit”
IN AN era where we often measure leadership by its noise and visibility, I witnessed something profound in Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.—a quiet strength rooted in humility.
I saw this not on a parade ground, but in a church. During the enthronement and first day of the Novena Mass for the Canonically Crowned Image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila in Sta. Cruz Parish, Manila, the image of our Chief PNP bowing before the altar struck me deeply.
Here was a General, not giving a command, but in prayer. The solemnity of the Mass, presided over by His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula, was a moment that spoke of reverence and a willing surrender to a higher purpose.
To me, this gesture immediately revealed the very essence of moral leadership.
“When a man of power kneels before God, he elevates not just himself but the institution he represents. Nartatez reminds us that the highest form of authority is moral authority, one that draws strength from faith, not fear.”
Faith at the Core of Command
Nartatez’s presence was clearly not a mere ceremonial duty; it felt deeply personal. I believe that throughout his service, he has championed the idea that faith and discipline are inseparable, and that spiritual strength is what completes the character of a true officer.
His attendance at that Mass, as affirmed by the PNP, clearly signals the organization’s support for faith-based programs—those that nurture the values essential for building unity between the police and the communities they serve.
For me, this balance between faith and duty is exactly what we need to restore public trust. “Leadership is not only a duty of the mind and the hand,it is also a duty of the heart. Nartatez leads with the humility to serve and the courage to believe.”
A Leader Guided by Grace
As the nation’s top police officer, Nartatez carries an immense weight of responsibility. Yet, amid the burdens of command, he projects a demeanor that is calm, grounded, and clearly guided by personal conviction.
I call him “a commander who understands that kneeling before God is not a sign of weakness but of strength.” Profound humility is what allows a leader to rise above pride and lead with genuine compassion.
A Higher Form of Leadership
For me, true leadership must begin with faith. “When faith guides leadership, integrity becomes instinct. That is what we see in Nartatez, a man of the law who also walks in the light of faith.”
The indelible image of Nartatez—a soldier bowing in humility, a leader seeking blessing—captured the spirit of a man who understands that no rank stands higher than God.
A commander who kneels before God will never bow to corruption, fear, or deceit. He serves a higher command, and that command is truth.
(The writer, who has a dcotrate in philosophy, serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, through which he continues to advance the causes of sovereignty, reform, and the dignity of the Filipino people.)
