Delicadeza in public service

 

IT’S a matter of delicadeza — an old Filipino convention that remains true in the general culture but has long been lost in evidence for the most part of Philippine politics. And that makes it all the more admirable when demonstrated by those in public service.

Delicadeza is about having sensible shame. Appointees of previous mayors who lost in the last elections, for example, should not insist on keeping their employment with the new administration. A courtesy resignation would be prudent because the assumption to power of a new mayor already presumes an absence of trust and confidence in the appointees of the old. Ag kayo ambaeng?

Delicadeza is also about giving due respect to those in authority, those who have been elected by the voting public to be their new leader, by allowing them the leverage to decide whether or not to retain appointees of the old leader. Akin ag yo pulyanan ya sila so mampili met?

Mayors, having been chosen by the people, deserve the latitude of appointing those who will work with them and run the local government’s affairs without fear of being sabotaged from within.

 

*          *          *          *          *          *

Theater of Truth

 

FOR cases involving government money and government officials and employees, they first go to the Ombudsman to establish whether there is probable cause for prosecution.  If there is, the case goes to Sandiganbayan for trial.  If there is none, the case is dismissed.

Col. George Rabusa, a whistleblower on alleged million-peso kickbacks he gave to military officers, is today sick, lonely and almost broken in spirit. The Ombudsman dismissed his charges, ruling that Rabusa failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the monies he gave to his superiors were government money.

Janet Lim-Napoles is now being tagged as the brains behind the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam allegedly involving senators and congressmen.  There is now a Senate hearing on this.

But, as in many other Senate hearings, this might just end up again as another show of all sound, no fury—short of ending up anew as the Theater of The Absurd.

Only when a case finally goes to court that the Theater of Truth is unravelled.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments