"A man is only as good as his word."
"A man is only as good as his word."
A gentlemen’s agreement is essentially based on the personal honor of the guys who have come together to forge some kind of understanding for mutual benefits.
So it goes to say that if one of the agreeing parties chose to disregard or disrespect the pact, that party by his own accord deliberately strips himself of personal honor.
Subsequently, a person without honor loses the respect of his fellowmen, and he is looked down on with suspicion, mistrust, and contempt.
Having said that, a gentlemen’s agreement is something we should hold as sacred and inviolable.
Regrettably, the raging controversy now unfolding at the House of Representatives over the Speakership issue connotes treachery and betrayal—two words that are outright despicable and contemptuous.
Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig City-Pateros and Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco of Marinduque are contesting the Speakership. Cayetano currently holds the post by virtue of a gentlemen’s agreement forged between them some 15 months ago.
I got this from the grapevine: Cayetano has a very meaty motive to hold on to power, no matter what. He is allegedly afraid that he might lose his grip on a P12-billion pork barrel fund if he is no longer the Speaker.
That is definitely a lot of reasons for not letting go of his seat as the presiding member of the Lower House.
In hindsight, the term-sharing deal, sealed in the presence of President Duterte no less, was supposed to be cut and dried, until Cayetano dropped broad hints that he was not ready to vacate the post and turn it over to Velasco by October 15.
Cayetano on Wednesday ostensibly offered to step down, but it turned out his bid was simply a cue for close allies to stand up and roundly reject his resignation.
Ironically, some of those demonstrably rooting for Cayetano were identified with the camp of ex-President, former Speaker, and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. If memory serves, Cayetano was at the forefront of the vicious attack on GMA’s husband, Juan Miguel Arroyo.
Going back to the issue at hand, Cayetano, following up on the cheering of his friends, sang a different tune, claiming in a privilege speech that Velasco lacks the leadership capability to shepherd the 305-strong House of Representatives.
Thus, the battles lines were clearly drawn.
Velasco shot back, accusing Cayetano of “political maneuverings and theatrics" that threw the urgent budget debates off the track.
"We lost an entire day, and even tomorrow where you have declared that no session will be conducted, which are crucial in meeting our timeline," Velasco said.
"These attacks and distractions serve no purpose other than to perpetuate what is a purely personal agenda, threatening to delay the passage of the budget. This is the truth," he added.
The Marinduque solon also urged colleagues to continue working and pass the budget on schedule.
He gives assurances he will be a "gracious leader" who will listen and act responsibly on their concerns.
"But I make an earnest plea: Let us uphold the dignity of the House of Representatives by being men and women who believe in ‘Palabra de Honor’ in keeping our word and upholding the term-sharing agreement Speaker Cayetano and I swore to honor and respect," Velasco said.
Velasco called Cayetano’s attention to a promise that he (Cayetano) will turn over the Speakership on October 14. That pledge, he said was again made on Tuesday in the presence of President Duterte.
Talking about leadership, the late US President Dwight Eisenhower has this to say; “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”
That should deliver the message to Cayetano. A man is only as good as his word.
