Ochoa promises no work interruption at DILG

MANILA, Philippines - Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. assured the public yesterday that work at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which he now heads in a concurrent capacity, will not be hampered by the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo.  

Ochoa visited Robredo’s office yesterday morning and asked for a list of the department’s pending programs.

He also assured DILG employees that there will be no interruption in the services they provide to the public.

Malacañang said there are no discussions at this time as to the replacement of Robredo, even as three congressmen are pushing for the appointment of Robredo’s widow, Leni, to fill in his post.

In a statement, Ochoa said he ordered a “comprehensive review of the programs and projects left by Robredo to ensure that reforms are implemented and the operation is continuous.”

“While we join Secretary Robredo’s family and the nation in this time of bereavement, the President felt that it is appropriate to designate an OIC on a very temporary basis to ensure that the DILG is running and its service to the public is continuous,” he said. 

He cited the reforms Robredo has put in place in the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, as well as his plans to relocate informal settlers.  

Ochoa said employees should expect him to be visible in the agency in the coming days until the President appoints a permanent DILG chief. 

Leni Robredo as DILG chief

Kaka Bag-ao of the Akbayan party-list said Leni Robredo, a lawyer, is most qualified to be the next secretary of the DILG because like her husband, she has been helping the masses by joining the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap pang Legal, which helps victims of human rights abuses.

“Mrs. Robredo is a silent worker although there are many people qualified to fill the shoes of Secretary Jesse,” Bag-ao said.

Reps. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao and Bolet Banal of Quezon City agreed with Bag-ao.

Appearing at a weekly forum in Ciudad Fernandina in Greenhills, San Juan City, Bag-ao, Baguilat and Banal said Robredo’s replacement must have unquestionable integrity and be willing to listen to all sides before making any decision.

The three congressmen likened Leni to former President Cory Aquino, who chose to remain on the sidelines and throw her full support behind her husband.

The three congressmen said Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya is also a possible replacement of Robredo.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo agrees that whoever would succeed Robredo at the DILG would have big shoes to fill.   

Former Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, for his part, urged the Filipino people to be vigilant regarding developments at the DILG.  

No names yet

Amid speculations on the possible replacement of Robredo, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said no names are being considered at this time.

Talks are rife that Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who according to President Aquino might be given a post in government at the end of his term in 2013, is being eyed for the post. 

There were also talks that former Isabela governor Grace Padaca or Congressman Abaya are being considered to replace Robredo. Vice President Jejomar Binay was also rumored to be eyeing the post. 

Lacierda said it will be up to the President to decide on Robredo’s replacement. 

“As of now he has only designated Executive Secretary Ochoa to handle the responsibilities in the DILG. So the process of searching a new secretary will be undertaken soon,” he said.

“In the meantime, we would like to pay our respects to Secretary Robredo. So I think that would not be a priority right now. At the soonest possible time, if and when the President will go through a search for that, we will let you know,” he said.

“It’s not the appropriate time (to discuss about Robredo’s replacement). It’s also big shoes to fill, a hard act to follow,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad added. 

Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award

In recognition of his contributions to excellence in public service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will confer the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award on Robredo.      

The posthumous award will be given in time for the 112th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration next month.      

“The CSC family shares in the grief of the Robredo family over the untimely demise of Secretary Jesse,” CSC chairman Francisco Duque III said.      

“Let it be said that Secretary Jesse did not die in vain for his was a glorious and exemplary life spent in the service of our people,” Duque said.

Duque said the CSC also conferred the Dangal ng Bayan Award on Robredo when the latter was still mayor of Naga.  

Jesse Robredo Awards

Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III proposed the creation of the Jesse Robredo Awards for Local Good Governance as “a way of perpetuating not only the works and the memory of a great man but his principles and management style.”

“Alive, he set the standard in public service. It is now the template for the ages. And it is up to us the living to make sure that the generations of civil servants will look up to it as the model to be followed,” Tañada said in a statement. 

He said the proposed Robredo Awards would honor outstanding workers and programs in all aspects of local government service, from budget matters to peace and order. 

“The categories will include both line of work and field of operations. That way we can have a Best Tanod as an individual award and, say, a Best Financially Managed Town in the organization category,” he said.

He said the Robredo Awards is “also as a search for local heroes, those who toil beyond and above the call of duty without fanfare.”  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran, Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero