Men and women who have risen to power all have something in common; clean hands. Law 26 is all about either acting in a manner that no matter what happens, you’re free of blame or dealing with mistakes or circumstances in a manner that avoids the impending blame altogether. They never directly involve themselves (publicly, at least) in mistakes and unpleasant affairs, and they do this in two ways; either by having someone take the fall for their mistakes- a scapegoat, or by having someone else do their dirty work- a cat’s paw. The only other way with dealing with inevitable mistakes is to apologize and make excuses.
An example of this law can be seen in our local politics. We all know that a lot of our politicians are corrupt, or are dealing shady business, but these politicos all use cat’s paws that do their dirty work- agents who have agents who have even more agents. The people we see getting caught on the news are often just pawns of even bigger fish. By having others do their dirty work, these politicians safeguard themselves.
However, this law isn’t just used by crooked people. Even the most benevolent of rulers fall onto this rule; the biblical King David fell onto this rule. King David chosen by God; he was seen as a righteous king, but after committing adultery with Bathsheba, he attempted to clean his hands of his deed by Uriah to his death at the front lines. He would have gotten away with it too, if God wasn’t all seeing. This is an example of trying to find a scapegoat.
A contemporary example of confessing to a mistake can be seen in former US president Bill Clinton’s infidelity to his wife, Hillary Clinton. After admitting his mistake, many questioned his ability and right as president, and lead to his impeachment. The problem with confessing to a mistake is the fact that once you do admit to one, it leads to those who follow you to question your abilities. The image of a faultless leader is lost, and people begin to see you as the possible cause of already existing problems. Of course, if you’re a person in power or searching for power, you don’t want others questioning your abilities.
One must ask however, why do people agree to be scapegoats for others? Is the use of a scapegoat justifiable? Should those in power keep their hands clean, or should they be transparent?
Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K
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40 comments:
this is also how many in the mob operate, they use underlings and thugs to actually do the kills and hidings of bodies as to not incriminate themselves... that why there will be no physical evidence linking them to the crime
I believe that some of these so called "scapegoats" don't really agree to become such. They just don't have control over the situation. Some are just framed, much to their surprise, while some are forced to do so in exchange for something more important.
Use of a scapegoat is never justifiable. One has to take FULL responsibility on one's actions no matter what because one has a choice in the first place. Whatever one does, one has to be ready to face the consequences, whether it be good or bad.
Tom Manahan
Hi 18-K
Hi ria! =)
To be honest with you, just reading your blog title already made me think of politics. Such a shame, some politicians are today.
Anyway, I agree with Tom. Some people ARE FRAMED. I remember my experience in my NSTP class back in Miriam College. We were assigned to Political Prisoners of Bilibid Prison. (yes i've been there!)
Of course, when you say "political prisoners" you think of those former politicians getting involved in nasty crimes like graft..corruption and whatever...but it really wasn't the case.
When I met this group, I saw ordinary men. Not former government officials, but simple men who were once farmers, students etc.
Why are they there locked up? 'Coz they've been framed..by none other than our own corrupt government. Blamed for starting rallies, creating havoc and whatnot, when in fact they've just been thrown into jail because they ( the government) found NO ONE ELSE to throw in...
The government made them take all the blame...
Raizza Encinas
HI 18 L
Actually, I think that it’s better for politicians to admit to their mistakes (or at least some of them). No one really believes in super squeaky clean records because those are just incredibly hard to come by meaning they’re not at all believable. So to be seen as someone honest and trustworthy, a politician should use the “everyone makes mistakes” card and not clean his hands of everything.
An example would be Ted Kennedy. When he was running for senator, it got leaked to the press that he got expelled from Harvard for cheating on an exam. Instead of totally denying it, he owned up to it and his honesty at that point earned him brownie points from the public despite his dishonest ways when he was younger.
monica ang L
as i learned in theo, we ALWAYS justify our sins and saying it's alright or i did it for the better but in the end, it was still a sin.
This is our nature as humans. This is what Mother Mary didn't have.
but sometimes, keeping your hands dirty may be an advantage. Honesty.
it's like what eminem did in his movie in 8 mile. he rapped about himself and said all the bad things that could be said about him leaving his opponent speechless.
it really depends when you become honest and when you hide your dirt.
Raf Sobrepena Hi - K
i don't think anyone's capable of being completely transparent. There's no way of examining one's motives, intentions. Also, it's not like anyone escapes cheating (which doesn't make the act any less wrong, any more acceptable) and if someone is in power, the people must judge every order, every choice, must screen every action for motives and any likely ulterior motive -- that process would take an inconceivable, impractical amount of energy and effort.
i think the issue isn't so much how clean your hands are in the public image -- i think the public should be a little lenient in terms of how much dirty laundry their officials have in the closet. BUT the leniency should be an effect of trust between government and the people they serve -- they shouldn't commit acts they can be caught and persecuted for. it's a trust issue and Trust cannot be quantified. ultimately, the law goes back to deception, illusion and the old question -- who can you trust and how much is enough (trust) ?
i also think this law encompasses how much we are willing to explain / expose about ourselves and the line between an empowered person's private and public life. (even though he did some bad shit in the past, is it right to hold that against him?)
just because a person has power doesn't necessarily mean they'll be working for the public so how much responsibility are we talking about?
kyra ballesteros Hi18K
I agree with Kyra. Although if one is in power, that means that he or she has power over a group of people. So even if he or she isn't working for the government (let's say they're a CEO for a private company), they still have that 'duty' toward the people that they lead.
One one hand, no one wants to be led by a person that they know nothing about, who seems unrealistically innocent-like, but on the other hand, no one wants to be led by someone who seems ordinary in the sense that they're just like everyone else in terms of mistakes and wrongdoings.
Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K
When the dirt on your hands is blatantly obvious and you still deny it, then you just end up looking stupid, AND people hate you. The best thing to do is keep your hands clean altogether, don't get involved at all. Choose your battles. Power is a dirty game, because if there's someone on top then someone's got to be at the bottom. No, using a scapegoat isn't justifiable, being powerful has never really been good for keeping friends. And admitting to your mistakes is just a high-falutin version of denying them. "I cheated on my wife, but hey, I'm only human!" Translation: "You're just like me. I may not be squeaky clean, but I'm no dirtier than most people, which is what you are." Cleanliness is relative.
Dominique Du, L
the reason why we all want to have clean hands is because we are afraid of the consequences that comes with it. that's why when a dirty act has been done let's say cheating on an exam and this information leaks to the professor and asks the class who cheated, no one will confidently say "i did!" because we are afraid of the consequences-- getting suspended, failing the class and of course, the humiliation that comes with it.
laurine fabul, L
I think people agree to be scapegoats for others either because: 1) They're afraid and 2) They think they'll get fame and glory after. Some people can really act irrationally and can also be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The use of a scapegoat is totally not justifiable. It is just hiding your faults and blaming others. That is not the right way to gain power. It's inappropriate.
The Philippine government agrees to transparency. Politicians should do the same. It is only right and appropriate to let the people know what the politicians are doing with their money. We should elect good leaders.
Gia Fortun
Hi18 - K
after i read your blog, i immediately remembered a classic example of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. he kept on crying wolf even when there was really none. the villagers eventually lost trust and in the end, when the boy was actually telling the truth, no one showed up to rescue him. basically, he lost his credibility because of the mistakes he made.
it is really important to keep your hands clean so you can increase your chances of gaining trust from others. i don't like the idea of scapegoating because passing the blame on to someone else just does not seem right. i guess what one can do is just maintain a clean record as much as possible.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
It's easy to say that everyone should just keep a clean record, but then we are human and no one's hands are completely clean.
And what about the law that says that one should never look too perfect?
I agree with the rest, saying that having a scapegoat is not justifiable and a lot of the scapegoats weren't actually aware that they were just used.
So, what about the saying that there's no such thing as bad publicity?
theresa rosario tan
hi18k
i agree with nikka (dominique du) completely. it's really really stupid to deny something that is already there. it's a matter of owning up to your mistakes and making amends for it. or at the very least giving a sincere apology. if people don't accept that, i think that's their problem already. (sorry, i'm pretty much an idealist. hehe. :P)
ocampo 18-k
I think the use of "scapegoats" is a way of getting rid of ones problems without ruining ones reputation.
I think the use of "scapegoats" are unacceptable. People should take responsibility of their actions, whether or not it was for the greater good. I think that having someone else take the fall is a sign of weakness.
Rise up. Be a man (pardon me for the sexist quote).
Others might say that "scapegoats" are needed by people of high authority in order to get the job done. I believe that leaders that practice this are not fit to be leaders at all.
I am aware of the fact that the world is not black and white, instead it is a mixture of both. Regardless of this, there is always a way of doing thinks that would benefit multiple parties.
Hi- L Richard Hahn
@ Ria- I completely agree about how politicians "keeping their hands clean". It all goes back to how Pontius Pilate "washed his hands" when confronted with the "problem" of Jesus of Nazareth. Keeping one's hands clean or washing one's hands is a figure of speech for trying your hardest to rid yourself off the blame and if ever, transfer it onto someone else.
I don't necessarily agree with this law because a real leader should be able to come clean when wrong and shouldn't rely on his subordinates to do his dirty work. It reminds me of that movie Four Brothers. The antagonist had Mark Wahlberg's adoptive mother and brother killed and he acted all high and mighty. However in the end, all his subordinates turned on him and with no real power or strength of his own, he lost in the end.
Regina Yulo
Hi 18 L
And what about the law that says that one should never look too perfect?
I actually thought about that too. I think this law talks about mistakes (and not owning up to them), while the other law (Law #46 - Never Appear Too Perfect) is more on being humble. Keep your hands clean of mistakes, but never appear too perfect when it comes to your achievements.
Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K
Cowardness and immaturity are the very sources of scapegoating. From what I know, by being able to find someone else to put all the blame on is never going to work to one's advantage in the long run. For one, if you don't get caught, the guilt of your act will just keep lingering in your heart and your mind that it will slowly eat you up. And second of all, I do believe that karma can actually be true in a lot of cases.
There was this story about a man of great wealth who got someone killed. Afraid of the consequences that lie ahead, he used his money to make it appear that his driver was the one who did it. His driver was put to jail, and when he died, the whole truth died with him. Now, we may actually pause and think: "Ok, so you may actually get away with this sometimes." Well, not really. The rich man may have escaped the law, but he couldn't escape himself. As time progressed, the guilt haunted him for the rest of his life and it just kept getting worse day by day. He also started getting sicker and sicker until he finally decided to go and start looking for the family his driver has left behind. When he found his driver's daughter and told her the truth, he may not have been forgiven but he felt a lot better. Though his proposition to make up for the driver's daughter by paying her a huge sum of money isn't justifiable, the very fact that he was able to come clean about his mistake lessened his heartache.
It all boils down to one thing here: the truth will set you free.
Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi18 - L
I don't think people essentially agree to be scapegoats for others. Well, if you're a masochist and you want to punish yourself for something you didn't do, then it would be probable for you to concede to someone else's wish of your becoming his/her scapegoat.
But in a normal occurrence, people don't really go around volunteering themselves to suffer for another person's wrongdoing. I'm assuming that he/she who accuses other people for his/her transgressions is someone who is in a high position. Ultimately, he/she would blame whoever he/she thinks is powerless since it would be more likely for people to believe in the "more powerful" one.
I undoubtedly call that an unjust crime. I, therefore, think it would be better for people to just own up to their blunders so that they won't trample upon the dignity and rights of innocent beings.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
Why do people agree to be scapegoats? i don't think someone in his right mind would wholeheartedly agree or volunteer to be someone's scapegoat, but i wouldn't be surprised if they are actually a few who do. their reason? I wouldn't want to know.
one doesn't need to go as far as politics to think of an application for this law; it happens everyday. Just look around you and you will be able to identify events or people, even those close to you, that are guilty of having someone else clean their hands for them. The use of a scapegoat is viewed as the easiest and, ironically, the cleanest way of getting out of trouble. Unfortunately, humans have the innate tendency to become scared of consequences, that is why they absolve themselves at the expense of others.
Kriska Rivadillo
Hi18 K
I think this law is all about playing safe. As mentioned in the law, there are agents behind powerful people, doing the dirty jobs. The powerful / influencial people use the agents to hide their identity in doing the dirty jobs. I think it is for them to avoid giving damages to their image. I think playing safe / keeping one's hands clean is possible because there are people agreeing to do the dirty jobs. The sad reality here is that, unless the number of people agreeing to do the dirty jobs decreases, I think it is impossible to stop or even catch people keeping their hands clean.
Yu Chin Hong
Hi18-K
It is in our nature as humans to sin, but we are told by our faith to repent and live the gospel.
Now, for the choice between keeping their hands clean and being transparent, it depends on your morals. The truth would hurt a thousand times, so would you rather keep your mouth shut about the situation and not let it explode for everyone to hear? Would you rather keep a very important thing that could be detrimental to others, than release the information to the public and let nature take it's course?
I guess we hold our own justifications for each case, as we have different opinions about ideas and whatnot. We could opt to tell the biting truth or keep our mouth shut.
With all this, maybe we should remember that "what you don't know won't hurt you.."
Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L
As an influential person, you'd do well to have your finger in a pie or two. But yes, I do agree that first-hand linkage to these endeavors - especially if they can be twisted or taken advantage of - is quite undesirable. That's where the value of this law comes in.
But I ask, does keeping your hands clean always come risk-free? You have your goons or cronies doing the grunt work for you - keeping your name as pristine as it was when you came into this world. What happens when you fortuitously crossed the patience of that constituent? Might not the aggrieved one take it against you and expose you personally for all the crimes he's covered up on your account?
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
Most of the time the reason why certain individuals remain in power is probably because they've been keeping their hands clean, like they have OCPD.
Cristal Chael Rodriguez
Hi18-L
This law is something that happens everyday in the government. As mentioned previously, this is undeniably how politicians work. They always want to look like the good guy, the ideal leader. No one wants to guilt running through their veins nor do they want to be known for something so vile that could ruin their reputations (also, just in case they decide to run for office AGAIN). Staying "clean" is necessary for them. This is what keeps them up there.
Krizia Javate
Hi18-K
The truth is we can never have virgin clean hands. We are guilty of mistakes, small or big ones. However, regardless of how many times you wash your hands, the cake behind your fingernails will show just how dirty you really are.
Time keeps track of things, and it may not be able to catch you but it will certainly be there to haunt you.
Alan Ortiz
HI 18 K
Making sure that other people get the blame for your own mistakes is something unthinkable for me. I couldn't live with myself if someone else took the bullet in my behalf because I would feel too guilty.
What if the scapegoat took a fall so bad that it would cause them their lives? Could you still live with the guilt and shame for the rest of your life at a cost of an innocent person's life?
keep your hands clean...
i guess it's trying to say that to become powerful or to remain powerful, you must remember to wash your hands of all the filth that you've done... it could help keep your good reputation and keep others fearful of what they don't exactly know...
AnneAndreaLacson
Hi-K
@Joey Palma
Of course, it doesn't come risk free. There's always the risk of someone turning and biting you in the ass. But smart goons and cronies also know this law and also keep their hands clean by hiring even smaller fish to do their work. That way when someone gets caught, it's not them/they can't be implicated.
Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K
It's always important to keep a good image to the public. Because once the public sees a dent in the once sterling reputation, rumors spread and the control or respect is lost. This law stresses the importance of a good image and the control and trust that comes with it.
Denis Flores
hi 18k
one of the best example here ,i guess, is the social test we did back in high school:
have a clean sheet of paper, with one dot in the middle.
if you would show it to people the first thing they will notice (most of the time) is the dot not the clean sheet of paper.
yeah it's symbolic, but people do have a tendency to look at the dirt before the deeds most of the time.
JR Resma
Hi18 K
this is what is so frustrating about Philippine politics. They always have a scape goat that they use to get out of trouble. They are doing this when why are supposed to be ruling the country. It is so hard to catch these corrupt politicians. I honestly believe that this is the main cause of our downfall as a country.
Sean Co
Hi 18 K
Although this law goes against the values of morality, keeping your hands clean is a wise decision.
This law can not be avoided in this world especially in the politics. It is now harder to find the politician who is free of using scapegoat or cat's paw and still keeping an integrity.
If you can not avoid doing bad things, then it is wiser to keep your hands clean than losing your image and reputation. However, use the only ones who are willing to do that "dirty work" for you not the innocent ones. Those agents know what they are doing and are willing to do, and they know the sequences but are willing to take the risks.
Hae In Lee
Hi18 K
To answer your questions, people do not agree to be scapegoats for others. The reason they become scapegoats is that they are weak to go up against the person who makes them scapegoats. They have no choice because they are powerless. Of course, using scapegoats can never be justifiable. A person who has done something wrong must pay for what he has done. HE must experience the consequences, not someone else. Passing the mistake on to someone else is just wrong. Lastly, it's easy to say that people should be transparent than putting the blame on other people, but of course, people, especially those in politics, don't want to expose their dirty hands to the public because this will cause them to be thrown out of their position. This is a sad truth, and i wonder if people will someday learn to face the consequences of their actions rather than keeping their hands clean.
Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L
I believe this is a very situational law, in the sense that you don't need to appear clean in all circumstances, or at least, spotless for that matter. Fear is a very powerful tool, and rumors have a way of spreading that can be used to your advantage. In mafia and military leaders alike, this is a great asset - possibly even preventing needless bloodshed and wasted resources simply because of one's reputation.
Filbert Tan
Hi18-K
Doesn't this somewhat contradict Law 46 Never Appear Too Perfect? How can one appear faultless or innocent in the public eye by keeping their hands clean, yet not be TOO perfect?
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