In the wake of the Manila Hostage Crisis there has been much criticism of the lack of leadership, poor training and non-existent critical thinking employed by the Philippine Police and the leadership behind the scenes. It seems that everyone in a position of authority didn’t know how to make an informed decision. Anyone who has watched a “Die Hard” movie could run the siege operation better. The Police Chief Superintendent “honestly believed” his men were more adept at a hostage crisis that a military unit specially trained in terrorist tactics. The Mayor has asked the public not to criticize the police when “only” eight hostages had been killed. The President avoided calls from concerned Hong Kong officials. There is a long list of poor decisions. Very few of them had the best interests of the hostages and the public at heart.

Now that the crisis is over, even if the backlash isn’t, the usual “inquiry” into the event has begun. After months, possibly years, I’m guessing it will not demand any resignations. But it should. Because when people are judged on the decisions they make, it not only results in better decisions being made, but also leads to greater accountability.

Lack of accountability is a dangerous problem to have. It leads to complacency, which leads to abuse of power. If government employees never have to face repercussions, what is the incentive to do the best job possible? There is none. And that perhaps is the scariest revelation. Government officials can (and do) fail their constituents without fear of reprise. When people in positions of power fail, the consequences for those on the ground level are very, very real. Already the tourism industry has taken a downturn, placing many jobs in jeopardy. Filipino maids in Hong Kong are suffering from hatred ranging from verbal abuse to physical violence and alleged reports even of death.

Another instance of political decision-making that could result in the death of women is with the Reproductive Health Bill. All political debate and religious spin aside, the RH Bill is really about one thing. Enshrining the rights and well being of women in a country that has very low levels of both. Not sure? Read it. Or read a summary. Again, those in positions of power are going to be allowed to make a decision that affects more than 48 million women and girls in the Philippines. Not eight tourists. Not 200,000 workers in Hong Kong. More than 48 million women and girls. And when you think about the health and well being of women you really have to consider their children, because what happens to them if their mother dies? And you also have to think about the husbands and partners of these women, plus any other family and community members who might depend on them. So the number of people this bill can and will affect is far, far larger. One could argue it would affect nearly everyone in the country’s population of more than 98 million people.

Defenders of the botched bus rescue attempt argue that the fateful decisions made during the hostage crisis were made under stress. The decision on the RH bill won’t be. To reject a culture of impunity for one based on hope, we need a responsible government that makes decisions based on the needs of their constituents rather than their personal feelings. Encourage accountability by finding out where your representatives stand on the issue and let them know what you believe. Government officials should pass the RH bill now to avoid more unnecessary deaths.