You're not my boss

Imagine yourself as an accomplished technocrat, CEO, or a retired general now being called upon by the President of the Philippines to be part of his new cabinet, and be one of his Secretaries.

Wow! That would surely make you feel good for at least a month and I’m sure that being highly successful in your field, you would now want to have the same level of excellence and professionalism that you have been accustomed to in the service or in private sector.

Considering that you’re now “The” Secretary, one would think that it’s all just a matter of setting down the policy and giving out everybody’s marching orders! Unfortunately, the very President that invited you and appointed you is also the same one that has unwittingly undermined your authority and your success.

That is what happens when the President of the Philippines does not limit presidential appointments to Cabinet Secretaries only. So many Presidents both past and present have gone to the extent of appointing even the people under his cabinet secretaries.

While a Cabinet Secretary is generally chosen based on his expertise and professional track record, oftentimes at least half of those appointed under the Secretary are appointed by virtue of allegiance, campaign contribution, or relation.

Ideally, the President is putting together a team of individuals that he trusts or he likes.

But history shows us that this is often the proverbial road to hell paved with good intentions, because the extended appointments effectively take away the power of the Cabinet Secretary to choose and rule over his team and if need be, fire them.

Take the case of DOTC Secretary Ping de Jesus who is now in a quandary about what to do with his un-chosen Assistant Secretary and LTO chief Virginia Torres.

After the very embarrassing and controversial breach of security, trespass and endangerment of sensitive IT information that happened at the LTO Central Office, Secretary Ping de Jesus finds himself unable to sanction, suspend or even charge Torres for whatever fault she may be guilty of because “she”, just like Secretary Ping, was directly and personally appointed by President Noynoy Aquino.

In other words it’s a case of “You’re not my Boss”.

From a cultural perspective this is always a touchy issue in governance especially if the person has personal history with the appointing power.

Inside the most powerful homes of the most powerful men and women in the Philippines, maids, masseurs and mayordomas often have more access to the boss than Cabinet Secretaries and generals. Girlfriends are more feared than wives and “barkadas” have easier access than Cabinet members.

In a way the same goes for the De Jesus-Torres dilemma. Virgie Torres has reportedly become untouchable by virtue of two things: her presidential appointment and the backing of a religious group.

From this perspective, the whole business of presidential backing could now backfire on the President because it raises questions on the real reason why P-Noy selected Asec Torres as the LTO chief. Was it a personal choice or political payback?

People who have been with the LTO for several decades recognize Asec Torres’ qualifications to be a District officer, but those I have asked objectively state that Virgie Torres does not have the deep experience required to run a battleship like the LTO. Given what has transpired at the LTO, the assessment may hold some water.

Frustrated professionals in the LTO have started decrying the fact that Torres has been clueless or useless to stop a “bidding for promotions” scam in various district offices of the LTO. In fairness to Asec Torres none of those who criticize her, has ever raised the red flag of corruption, for them it is simply an example of the Peter Principle. The Asec has stepped into an arena that she may be unprepared for or needs serious help in.

Sadly the De Jesus-Torres situation reminds me of the tense and embarrassing feud that happened between “Acting” DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo and “the other secretary” Usec Rico Puno.

In spite of his leadership and respected stature among local government executives, Secretary Robredo was no match in his feud with Usec Puno on the basis of Usec Puno’s “camaraderie” with President Noynoy Aquino.

It may be too late or there might be too many appointments that have been made directly by President Noynoy, but if the President does not turn over the reigns and the whip to his cabinet secretaries, there is no doubt in my mind that the Robredo-Puno feud and the reported De Jesus-Torres problem will continue to repeat and replay itself.

If the President can’t correct the situation, perhaps it is something that legislators can address. There is historical proof in every administration that this practice of extended presidential appointments is a recipe for conflict and inefficiency in government.

By placing a legislative restriction on such appointments, the current and all future presidents might actually be relieved of pressures and requests for appointments that would ultimately undermine the authority of cabinet members and government. A legal prohibition would give them the excuse to do what’s right.

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