This year marks the nearly 25 years since I graduated from the University of the Philippines Tacloban College master’s in management Program. Notable of the sojourn was the fact that I was part of the 15 Scholars of the Civil Service Commission Local Scholarship. Our professors include the great Erasmus of sorts in Prof. Wilfred Barloso, Prof. Anna Arroyo , Prof. Clem Palima, Prof. Arsenito Culaba, Prof. Amy Exconde and the late Prof. Apolinar Lorenzo.
My classmates include Atty. Rupert Golong, Ms, Maritoni Ramento, the late Mano Chito dela Torre, Sir Jorge Modesto, Mam Martha Adelina Vda de Capales, Mr. Raul Caceres and Dean Teofilo Montallana.
Owing to the almost 25 revolutions around the Sun, I am mentioning them, faculty, and classmates. Further , one dead President from the United States his name was Woodrow Wilson , a life well researched by us the Class of 2001 of UPVTC and all, Public Administration disciples.
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is often regarded as the Father of Public Administration due to his influential ideas on governance and administration. His most notable dictum regarding public office emphasized the separation of politics and administration, arguing that government should function efficiently and professionally, free from political interference.
One of his famous quotes about public office states: “Every man who takes office in Washington either grows or swells, and when I give a man an office, I watch him carefully to see whether he is swelling or growing.” This reflects his belief that holding public office should be about service and growth, rather than personal gain or corruption
Wilson believed that public administration should be treated as a science, advocating for a merit-based civil service rather than one driven by political patronage. His essay, The Study of Administration (1887), laid the foundation for modern public administration, stressing that government officials should focus on policy implementation rather than political maneuvering.
Wilson had often reminded us that Public Office is a Public Trust, and that Public Officials are mandated to be accountable to the public.
Now Accountability is not the Badil or the Hukip, but proper and trye service. Public Trust is gained by doing what is right, its also upheld by being fair.
Growing” refers to individuals who develop, learn, and improve in office. These officials take on the responsibilities of public service with humility, gaining wisdom, experience, and skills that allow them to contribute meaningfully. Their leadership is marked by positive change and effectiveness.
“Swelling” describes those who become arrogant or self-important upon gaining power. Instead of using their position for public good, they let authority inflate their ego, becoming disconnected from the people they serve. Their leadership may be driven by self-interest rather than service.
We must grow and not swell!
