All about hard work, not cheating

EXCELLENCE is a value that we can teach and help our children achieve.

The victory of Pangasinan II Division in the Region 1 Athletics Association last week is a testimony to that. It was not plain luck that catapulted the team’s young athletes to the championship, a triumph made sweeter by the fact that Ilocos Norte held that top spot for more than a decade with Pangasinan II usually trailing in second place. What made the difference and pushed our athletes to become the best in the region this time was the support they received from the provincial government. Our athletes were prepared and made to believe that they are champions before they reached that goal.

On the other hand, it was disappointing to have news of teachers being caught, suspended and investigated for an alleged leakage in the National Achievement Test for students graduating from the elementary level. The case is now under legal inquiry and the suspected cheating teachers will get their due process.  Should they be proven guilty, their crime of “cheating or a clear case of dishonesty” is punishable by outright dismissal from the teaching service.

When these teachers do get fired, their colleagues and superiors have an important responsibility of explaining to the students (who are supposed to benefit from the test leakage) the wrongness of the act. The students must also be made aware of the hypocrisy of the crime in that the teachers who obviously were looking after the passing rate of their school rather than providing real education to the students.

The path to excellence is not easy. And certainly, cheating has no place in grooming our children to become champions in sports, academics and in life. Becoming the best takes time, hard work, determination and commitment.

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God have Merci

CONGRESS, voting 212-47-4 (yes-no-abstention) to impeach her, was influenced by public opinion? Congress, dominated by Palace allies, was influenced by P-Noy to oust her as Ombudsman?  Congress, finally conscience-stricken, voiced out the will of the people?

Her only chance now for vindication, redemption, is the Senate, which begins her impeachment trial on May 9. One thing stands out amid all this drama and trauma:  Merceditas Navarro Gutierrez is one tough nut to crack.

“After I learned that it was over [Congress impeaching her],” Merci said, “I just prayed and I was able to sleep…and sleep properly.”

Merci said she will not resign, nor take a leave of absence. “I have done nothing wrong,” she said.  “I will continue to discharge my duty as Ombudsman…In God’s grace and time, we will in the end prevail.”

God have Merci.

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