Innovation is the key. But to achieve innovation, motivation is essential, the driving factor that compels people to create and improve. Intellectual property rights serve as an incentive for disruptors and innovators, protecting their interests and rewarding their contributions.

The strongest motivating factor, however, lies in addressing the fundamental human question: “What’s in it for me?” Human nature has an element of self-interest, some degree of greed, if you will, and the best leaders recognize this truth.

When I was in government, I always looked at the people and sought to serve them by addressing what’s in it for them. By doing so, I was also indirectly answering what’s in it for me, because when people see tangible benefits in government programs, they will support them wholeheartedly. On the side of government, what’s in it for us is achieving our goal of delivering better services and improving lives.

Unfortunately, in the current flood control issue, the level of greed among those involved is overwhelming. Their focus has been solely on what’s in it for me rather than what’s in it for them, the ordinary people who suffer from flooding, lose access to education and other basic services, and are ultimately deprived of a better quality of life.

At the end of the day, the most important guiding principle in our Constitution, found in Section 9 of the State Policies, remains clear: to free the people from poverty.