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"It’s not that I’m not willing to fight, but when I fight, the nation loses." -Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

Obviously Shinawatra loves his country. He uttered the words above right after he named his associate as caretaker prime minister until parliament elects a new one. In stepping down after pressure from the Thai people, Shinawatra showed he was more concerned about his country than keeping power.

It’s so unlike our callous politicians who’ll fight tooth and nail and use bribes and intimidation to keep power. Because our politicans are like this, so goes government officials.

In Cebu, for example, Customs Collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang was able to get a TRO from the Court of Appeals to stop her impending transfer to Ilo-ilo. Imagine that! In effect Mangoaong was able to stop her bosses from transferring her to another district. Do that in a private firm and you’ll get fired! Onli in da Pilipins!

Mangoaong had strong backing from three Cebuano politicans, namely, Reps. Tony Cuenco, Raul "Yabang" del Mar and Cebu city Mayor Tommy Osmeña, who came up with a joint communique supporting Mangoaong and pointing out the fact that Customs revenue increased under her watch. Cebu businessmen also backed up Mangoaong’s retention stating that her leadership had helped the export and import industries.

For whatever reason they may have, isn’t it every Customs Collector’s duty to increase revenue and help businessmen? That’s what career civil service professionals are supposed to do wherever they’re assigned. So why is Mangoaong fighting tooth and nail to be retained?

Perhaps there are more "lucrative" reasons to do so. Or perhaps it’s merely a love for the job.

Yeah, right!