Reyes starts new job as interior secretary

Declaring that he had twice saved the Arroyo administration, Secretary Jose Lina Jr. officially turned over the reins of the Department of the Interior and Local Governments yesterday to former general Angelo Reyes in ceremonies at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Witnessing the change-in-command was Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Unable to hide his disappointment at leaving government service after 18 years, Lina said he took part in the "defense of the Republic and the (Arroyo) presidency" when its fate was "hanging in the balance" after supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada laid siege to Malacañang on May 1, 2001.

"The PNP did not waver at all, defended Malacañang, defended the presidency," he said.

Giving him a pat on the back, Romulo said Lina had served well as a public servant by upholding democracy and fighting the dictatorship,

"The reward of a job well done," he said.

Listening to Romulo denounce the dictatorship was Cesar Virata, prime minister under the Marcos regime, who was among the 800 people assembled at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall.

In his speech, Reyes recognized Virata as his "distinguished boss" and the country’s "one and only prime minister."

Reyes said that as interior secretary, he will enforce the law with impartiality to restore the public’s trust on the police and other law enforcement agencies.

"Bilang bansa, huwag tayo magkanya-kanya," he said.

"Mahalaga po na may pagmamalasakit tayo sa isa’t-isa ... sa isang tunay na pamayanan, handa ang bawa’t isa isantabi ang pansariling interes at isaalang-alang ang kabutihan ng nakakarami."

Reyes said it is important to have a "comprehensive, collaborative and symbolic working relationship" among local government executives, law enforcement agencies, and the community.

"Law defines the basic parameters of social order, civility and peaceful co-existence," he said. "Community alone will be fragile unless there is a general agreement on governing principles and ground rules."

In his speech, Lina described as "exciting" the three years he had served as interior and local government secretary under the Arroyo administration.

"It will be hypocritical if I say that I am not sad, this has been my life for many, many years," he said.

Lina said the DILG under his watch had "another shining moment" when it thwarted destabilization attempts against the Arroyo administration several weeks after last year’s mutiny of junior military officers.

"The presidency was saved and the presidency was kept," he said.

However, Lina said it was "an uphill battle" for the DILG in its campaign against the illegal numbers game known as jueteng.

"The DILG has drafted a department bill, which was sent to Congress, a stronger law (against jueteng) was enacted by Congress," he said.

"I know that it is not too late in the day –Secretary Reyes will implement the law."

Among those who attended the turnover ceremonies were the parents, wife, children and grandchildren of Reyes.

In another development, former President Fidel Ramos said yesterday President Arroyo can use her fresh six-year mandate to encourage "capable, emotionally, physically and mentally tough and durable" young people to join her Cabinet.

"It’s a good time to attract some young, good people. She would have a better offer with six years compared to six years," Ramos told a news conference in Makati City.

Ramos said the new Cabinet recruits "should also be reformists and willing to ride out the crises" with Mrs. Arroyo.

"We should stop playing the musical chairs and get more people," he said. — With Nikko Dizon