BACOLOD CITY — Honesty or dishonesty is the product of the environment. We must help promote the development of the culture of honesty. It is tragic that we are lumped with the most corrupt and backward countries of the world.

We are happy our Commission on Audit and the Ombudsman have now shown seriousness. Our job in media is to develop the culture of honesty. Civic groups must help too.

Last Sunday, the Sunshine Boys, chaired by Ricardo Yanson gave an out-of-school pedicab driver a pedicab as a reward for his act of honesty.

A British photo journalist Hazel Stuart was walking along Lacson St. one morning. She was engrossed in her texting and unknowingly dropped her wallet.

A pedicab driver later identified as Jack Sancho ran after her to return her wallet. She texted me, “There are many honest people.”

* * *

I told Hazel I wanted to meet Jack Sancho. I met Hazel and Jack last Sunday, they came to join the Sunshine Boys for breakfast.

I presented Jack and Hazel to the Boys and asked if we could help Jack. That was the time I knew Hazel is not only a good photographer but also a good scuba diver and with the voice quality of an opera singer. After she sang Happy Birthday to Pompey Querubin, everybody forked out money for Jack Sancho, enough to buy his pedicab and even his raincoat.

Then another British friend Robert Harland who also used to be a correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation came.

Robert took the pictures published in this paper yesterday.

* * *

This act of the Sunshine Boys of helping Jack Sancho is a simple gesture of rewarding honesty. I hope this can go a long way in promoting honesty in people.

Just recently, I wrote here about Bill Gomez who found out that he had in his bank account an additional two million pesos. He told the Bank it was not his. The Bank said, it was his. But Bill insisted and asked the Bank to find out. The Bank discovered its error.

Bill said, he could have withdrawn it and leave to the Bank the problem of paying the depositor and of recovering from Bill.

Years ago when my clutch bag which I placed at the top of the hood of my pick up was lost in Bago, a mother and daughter came to our house in Tangub to return it.

There was some P200 cash in the clutch bag. I gave it to the girl and promised to send her to high school. I did.

* * *

There are many stories of honesty. Honesty is in the heart.

In Jakarta some three months ago when we went there, Nene Rojas’ daughter Malou left her wallet in a store. A sales girl ran after her to give her the wallet that contained some 600,000 rupiahs Indonesian money. That’s equivalent to only something like $60.

Jack Sancho, may your tribe increase.

* * *

A friend told me yesterday, I only don’t know how Monico suffered in the hands of his critics. True, I could see it. He was called names by his political enemies.

But he should have trained his guns individually on those who tormented him. Why? Is he afraid? I thought he is a warrior. Call them names too.

Problems with newspapers or radio stations? Attack them, too. If you are right they will lose their readers and listeners. People dislike a biased press.

Individual writers or broadcasters? Attack them, too. Many others will even cheer you. Now, his image is that he is afraid of them individually. A bad image, Newks. And they are laughing, too.

* * *

The late Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson had a style. He called his media tormentors individually and scolded them, even telling them “When I see you I will punch your nose.”

Or he insulted them, “I don’t mind being attacked. But do it on correct grammar.” Or one radio man with a high-pitched voice whom he called “You are a squeaking impertinence.” The other media people enjoyed Lacson’s tirades at fellow media men.

He made a laughing stock of his tormentors. Monico can do that too.

One time Lacson set up a raid of a Chinese store supposedly selling contraband goods. It was a set up and the Chinese was told to give money to the newsmen not to report. The giving of money was covered by a video.

Then when they hit Lacson, the fighting Mayor showed them the video and threatened he would expose them. They kept quiet and did everything Lacson told them.

Oh, Monico should be more innovative. A friend texted me Monico only followed his “advisers”. I think so.

One Response to “Society must promote honesty”

• 1
  Dr. Antonio Gestosani
  October 7th, 2008 21:11

  This is the story from ” Tales From The Good Side” of the Filipinos. Having said that, I take it personally to thank Mr. Primo Esleyer who has character and pride to recognize and give honor to these honest individual. It’s about time to bring more good news to brighten our day. As I always said: Life is short and enjoy every minute of it. Get it? But don’t be a sucker to! You will pay it in your next life. Primo, your a maverick reporter and more power to you. I hope there are more reporter out there like you who speak their mind and never blink for fear of reprisal. I’m hundred one percent behind you.

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