Sometimes in life we reach crossroads wherein the the path we are currently taking has take a sudden demise and we must choose another path. This is an inevitable part of life.
For Miguel Zubiri, his stint as a Senator has been tainted by doubt and controversies prompting him to resign from service and being dubbed as the first ever senator since 1987 to do so. At least, Zubiri still has a conscience. For indeed, how can a public servant continue serving the people if his own credibility is being questioned. In my opinion, he really didn’t want to be involved in all those cheating but he was included in the dagdag-bawas none the less. He thought he can get away it with, that is rather get away with it than try to oppose an administration which considered him an ally. Well, the tables have changed and his name is drag to the dirty waters. It’s time then to resign and accept defeat.
In the same light, I admire US Congressmen in particular those who were involved in scandalous sexual controversies. If you think about it, these seemingly noble statesmen just made the mistake of forging flirtatious relations with other women despite their being a family man. Posing semi-nude pictures were considered as a disgrace for these public servants. Faced with such controversies, they then stepped down from office even though they’ve had years of service behind them.
For me, these public servants had enough honor to know when the end is near and to admit defeat and resign from their office. Rather lose with dignity than pretend to be clean amid constant controversy. How I wish other public servants would do the same. But sadly, there remains many, some even in the highest echelons of power, who would never give up despite endless years of controversy. A case in example is none other than Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, ex-president and now congresswoman. Her name has been dragged into controversies after another ranging from judicial killings to nationwide electoral fraud yet she refuses to yield power. Rather than save face and lose with honor, she pushes forward, still acquiring power. Despite numerous evidences, court cases and massive protests against her, she remains steadfast in her goal to “serve the people”. But is she really serving the people if the people doesn’t want her?
Thankfully for these people, no one will hold it against them if they resign and do not finish their term. It would even be a welcome respite. But in the case of the corporate world, resignations when a contract has been agreed upon is deemed as a negative thing. It is basically unlawful to breach one’s contract especially when the only reason to do so is because the stress and pressure of the work was more than what was bargained for. To the employee, this should have been expected and anticipated prior to signing the contract. Often, resignations in this light are deemed as unethical and non-honorable.
The bottomline: before undertaking something like a job post, ensure that you got it through credible means, that while in the position you do your best to protect your credibility and that before you actually sign up for the job, you know all the costs (even the worst case scenario) involved with it.
