Appointment as a political act

And so, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed former Senator Ed Angara to be our special envoy to the European Union, and former Speaker Joe de Venecia as special envoy to the ASEAN Economic Community, while Dante Ang was named as special envoy for international PR. The son of Senator Dick Gordon, Brian Patrick was also named as a member of the board, of Subic Bay Meropolitan Authority. His dad was Chair of SBMA before. Former Congressman Ranjit Shahani was named as a board member of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. His late mom (the late senator Letty) was a member of that board when I worked in MECO as Labor Attaché in Taiwan. If you think it was not politics, think again.

Those who insist that appointments to government positions should be based only on merit and fitness are correct. It is always the preferable option. But based on realities, it is true only when we refer to career executive and other positions which are governed by the civil service law. But at the level of the Cabinet and other highly confidential posts, the President and other appointing authorities are free to choose and even to appoint based on purely political considerations. Politicians are political animals and every president, governor, mayor, and even each barangay captain is inclined to use appointment as a way to return favors or to reward loyal followers. That is politics all over the world - from the world of Donald Tump to that of Vladimir Putin.

The President needs the support of the Angaras. Ed's son is an incumbent senator. The president also owes the de Venecias in Pangasinan because the incumbent governor and the congressmen there are opposition. And also Dick Gordon has been very supported of Malacañang. His son in SBMA is a sweet gesture that can bear political returns because Senator Dick is one of the strong pillars in the Senate. Ranjit is the nephew of FVR and it is for sentimental reason that he sits in MECO as board member, a post that his late mom so ably occupied. Dante Ang has a media hardware and software and it is a good politics for him to be in the team of the President.

The other appointees, like those in PNOC, PRC, Clark DevelopmentAuthority, Land Bank, Philippine Postal Corporation, and PNR and other government-owned and controlled corporations are, of course, either political investments with expected returns or payment of past political debts. Every president does that all the time. Spouses, siblings, children, and relatives of political leaders and supporters have to be given posts.

As the later senator Jose Dira Avelino said in the immortal words: "What are we in power for?" President Marcos used to appoint Ilocano lawyers as RTC judges all over the nation. President Cory brought in the friends of Peping, her brother. FVR brought in former generals and colonels. Erap surrounded himself with former Ateneo classmates. And GMA even appointed her manicurists. PNoy's classmates dominated his officialdom. And so, why begrudge President Digong for making his government the reunion of Davaoeños, Bedans and Lex Talliones fraternity brothers. What is he in power for?