Public servants

The ‘Marites’ story of Executive Secretary’s resignation may not be funny to Atty. Vic Rodriguez (who took it with a grain of vinegar) but as they say when there’s smoke, something’s something cooking.

Barely a month into the new administration, various positions in the bureaucracy have not been filled up completely.

As President Bongbong said again and again during the campaign he wants unity. Jockeying for plum positions is a sign of the deeply entrenched palakasan system in government. So, why not appoint people from the opposition to vital agencies?

However good those appointees are in doing their jobs, the danger of getting eaten by the system is a challenge probably even to ordained ministers.

Media columnists have largely praised the choice of Pres. Bongbong for his Cabinet. The list of Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, agency Directors have become rewards to vested business groups.

Choice for heads of the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Ports Authority have been controversial. Appointees are scrutinized for their ties and affiliations.

Hardly a praise was heard for Malacanang’s selection.

After the smoke clears and they buckle down to work, something sinister always happens. Example, the past administrator of the Philippine Ports Authority is now hounded for various offenses with Congress calling for an investigation.

All these indicates widespread illegal activities in these agencies as already known by the public. Why would people scramble to get appointed to these agencies?

After his directive for government rightsizing (the new buzzword), the President should next address government corruption at various levels, beyond the speech rhetoric. If not, the open drawers of government clerks will come back.

There are creative ways to show Bongbong is serious at stomping corruption. He can do a ‘Bautista’ and go incognito to transact business at a random agency (not necessarily in Metro Manila), without his PSG.

It could exhibit a major shift in management style if agency heads follow and identify areas of corruption by also going incognito. This will send a message to Bongbong they are serious in the anti-corruption campaign. People will appreciate having government clerks on their toes because someone might be watching them.

Micro-managing could be effective when done right. It could send the message that our officials are attuned to the needs of the people. For the longest time, they are perceived as detached in their airconditioned offices. Filipinos only get to see and touch them during elections.

Officials must get their feet wet sometimes. The ambiance in most government offices is that these officials are regarded as demi-gods, the ground they walk to be worshipped, their every whim to be granted instantaneously.

With every change in administration is an opportunity for that to change. They are called public servants, not ‘lords’.