Not as I do

I would dare say that many parents, including admittedly this near-sighted Ibaloy writer, at times would admonish our children to “do what I say but not as I do” which would come out as hypocritical since we are acknowledging that our actions are not in keeping with or are in direct opposition to our words.
In other words, the phrase points out accusingly that we are not upholding the standards we are imposing on our children or whoever it is we are admonishing.
Talk is cheap, as the saying goes, and telling anyone to follow only what we say and not what we do, is really cheap, indeed. It’s like telling our child, or anybody else for that matter, not to smoke but we ourselves, continue to do the dirty deed whether in private or out in public. We talk the talk but do not walk the talk. Even the Holy Bible proclaims, if I’m not mistaken, that faith without deeds is dead.
Since our “honorable” leaders, whether in the national, local or barangay level, are supposed to be the “parents” of their constituents, then their words only carry credibility when their actions match these. For example, when a leader says that corruption is bad and must be eliminated but he/she himself/herself is known to be corrupt, then his/her words would fall on deaf ears. No one would believe him or her.
That is why, I honestly believe, that no matter how beautiful our beloved archipelago of delicious coconuts and smiling carabaos truly is, as long as it continues to be ruled by members of greedy political dynasties, many Pinoys would rather seek greener pastures abroad and leave the hypocrisy behind if given the chance. Just my opinion.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.