Great job, Judy

IT was with great regret that I learned DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo had not been confirmed by the Commission on Appointments for the third time and, therefore, had to leave the cabinet. What a great loss to the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and what a greater loss to the Filipino people!

Sec. Taguiwalo brought to her DSWD position impeccable credentials in the field of social work. Her life experience epitomized the “Serve the People” commitment which our alma mater, the University of the Philippines, imbibed in each “scholar ng bayan.” She was no armchair administrator; she led her staff in the frontlines attending to the needs of the lost, the marginalized, and the needy. She had lived at some point in her life with communities that she later on had to attend to as DSWD secretary. She not only knew their situation; she was them.

I daresay none of those in the Commission on Appointments who turned their backs on professionalism and authentic service, have an iota of life experience that qualify them to decide on who is best for the Filipino people in the position of DSWD secretary. Since the decision was made in executive session, we will never know what drove them to deny the country the continuing service of an exemplary public servant.

I hope it was not because being considered a “leftist,” her ideology made her actions suspect. Was there a fear that in uplifting the lot of the Filipino masses, she was showing a better governance alternative than what these representatives delivered? Was there the concern that she was establishing a network or mass base on which her colleagues in the left would eventually utilize to subvert the Philippine Republic? Such thinking reveals a lack of confidence by these people’s representatives in the strength and vitality of Philippine democracy that can harness diverse ideologies in the service of the Filipino people.

I hope it was not because some member of the Commission on Appointments believed that Sec. Taguiwalo did not pay the proper deference to a people’s representative. We have been exposed in recent weeks to the arrogance of elected officials as they berate government functionaries appearing in congressional hearings. Riding on hurled accusations, they rip apart careers like paper and render years of faithful and dedicated service meaningless, while they themselves have really no solid accomplishments to bank on. They forget that they are “public servants” not rulers of this nation. A little bit of humility, a better understanding and appreciation of the challenges confronting government bureaucrats would be appreciated by their bosses, the Filipino people.

I hope it was not because Secretary Taguiwalo did not respond favorably to requests from members of the Commission on Appointments for projects that under the law she could not even grant. We have heard of horror stories of congressmen, even neophytes, demanding funds for “projects for their constituencies” which in the end find their way to their private bank accounts. How can any government bureaucrat agree to such an arrangement, especially in the light of decisions of the Supreme Court as to the use of government funds? I see in Secretary Taguiwalo a reasonable person who I believe will readily respond to legitimate requests for projects that will truly benefit the people she has sworn to serve.

As I mourn the loss of an asset in the Philippine bureaucracy, I rejoice in the knowledge that former Secretary Judy Taguiwalo will continue to serve the Filipino people in her private capacity. Service never ends; one will always find other venues to help those who need our hands, hearts and minds.

My one regret is that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte seems not to have taken the extra effort to convince the members of the Commission on Appointments to confirm the appointment of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. Is this how the President treats those who he has invited to join his team and bring about meaningful change?