Ignominy


A man who knows the world will not only make the most of everything he does know, but of many things that he does not know; and will gain more credit by his adroit mode of hiding his ignorance than the pedant by his awkward attempt to exhibit his erudition.
– Colton

          Serious allegations against the Department of Rural Banks were reportedly aired at the annual BSP Corplan. As usual, the shadow has not produced facts, named the accused and identified the complainant, three elements of established legal proceedings. The hearsay (sweeping generalization as it is), nonetheless, put the entire Department in a bad light. The pain might go easily but the damage inflicted on our reputation might take generations to heal.

          The DRB and ARBEX have, long ago, stepped up measures to enhance the professional, ethical and moral standards of its members. They were never remiss in their avowed duties to uphold the interest of the BSP at all times. The holding of the ARBEX convention later this year will further enrich the members’ values towards responsibility-oriented tasks.

          The business of bank examination is never easy. From the moment an assignment is given, the best approach is planned to conduct the examination in the most independent and professional manner. At the bank proper, these examiners observe utmost care in their conduct, knowing fully well that a mere cup of coffee or unguarded comments may damage their integrity. But the hassles of the job persist. The most crucial moment is the conference time when the findings have to be discussed with bank management. This is the period where isolated cases of animosity develop.

          The examiners do not travel leisurely but professionally. As strangers and miles away from our dear families, we are forever confronted with unstable peace and order condition and other travel hazards – and now we will hit the road with another excess baggage: as morally unfit loiterers or perhaps, as agents of disrepute.

          When people say that we are fortunate because of these supposed travel “incentives”, we can only shrug our shoulders, smile and say nothing, knowing fully well that we are not traveling with perks but with a lot of sacrifices in order to carry out our function as the extension of the arm of the BSP Governor. And while we’re doing that, we were being unfairly accused at the Corplan. What a lucky bunch we are!