56 and Counting: No End To Public Service

MANILA, Philippines - After 56 years of uninterrupted government service, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is contemplating the next chapter of his life in public service, after the Arroyo administration that he now serves ends in 15 months.

The thought of retiring, Ermita says, has of course crossed his mind; he is, after all, 73 years old, way past the usual retirement age.

But when the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI), for the first time in its history, conferred on him its Lifetime Achievement Award, he decided he wanted to continue on in government.

The PMAAAI citation said the award was “in grateful recognition of his 56 years of dedicated and exemplary service to the Philippine government and to the Filipino people, as a professional soldier and accomplished lawmaker, and as a capable technocrat and peacemaker, characterized by his faithful adherence to virtues of courage, loyalty, and integrity.”

“Many people have been asking what I would do after I leave as Executive Secretary – if I would run for senator as some people are suggesting. But I have not thought of these things yet,” Ermita says.

“But what I’m sure of is, ever since, I’ve been thinking of how I could continue public service,” he adds.

Whether he would run for public office, he says, is a decision that he would still have to make.

“I don’t know yet,” he insists. “I could go back to Batangas, unless one of my children would take the place of my daughter Eileen.” Ermita was previously a congressman representing the first district of Batangas. After his third and final term in 2001, he was succeeded by his daughter Eileen Ermita-Buhain, who also now on her last term.

What Ermita has ruled out is running for a local executive post in Batangas – saying the province is already “well-run” – as well as running for president, saying he does not have the resources to wage such an expensive campaign.

“Such things (running for president) are not on my mind. I don’t want to kid myself that I have the wherewithal for that. The presidency is a matter of fate. I’m one person realistic enough to realize that that is not a realizable objective, given my senior years and whether I have the resources for that,” he says candidly.

“I know my limitations as well as my capabilities,” he adds.

The possibility of returning to the House of Representatives is there – but only if none of his children would run as representative in the province, he says. He admitted that some in the Palace are urging him to go back to Congress since, given his stature, he could easily rise to the speakership.

“I’m a stalwart of Lakas (the Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats party) and I don’t want to alienate people in the administration coalition or my colleagues by coming in and saying I want to be Speaker,” he says. “I often this suggestion in jest because I don’t want to be seen as mayabang.”

Whether people believe it or not, he insists that President Arroyo has not spoken to him about politics, even though 2010 is just around the corner. He says the Chief Executive is very concerned about achieving her agenda before she steps down.

“Some critics are quick to say the President would finish her term without leaving anything but from where I sit, that is not true,” Ermita says in defense of his boss. “I have a good feeling that her endorsement would be a key factor in the electorate’s selection of their next leaders.”

“The support of the incumbent is key to victory,” he insists. “I believe the (administration) standard bearer will benefit from the legacy of the Arroyo administration.”

His career in government began the day he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1953. Since his graduation four years later, he has held various military posts, from team leader of the Special Civic Action Team of the Philippine military contingent to Vietnam in 1968 to Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines two years before his retirement in 1988.

While he was in the Armed Forces, he worked for the surrender of many Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leaders, along with thousands of their men.

Among those who surrendered was Gerry Salapuddin, who returned to school and later become Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ermita says he takes much pride in Salapuddin’s success, and those of other former MNLF leaders who held government posts or pursued productive careers after their surrender.

But the highlight of his military career was being the first general to join the group of then Armed Forces vice chief of staff Gen. Fidel Ramos and then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile that withdrew their support from the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, triggering the world’s first bloodless revolution.

“We thought we’d die there (Edsa 1) but the people were there,” he says of that milestone in his – as well as the nation’s – life.

But it was not smooth sailing for the Aquino government, and Ermita was among those who had to quell seven coup attempts and two military rebellions. Immediately after retirement, he was tapped as defense undersecretary, serving in that capacity until 1992 when he successfully ran for Congress.

In Congress, he pushed for the passage of various legislation, including the repeal of Republic Act 1700 or the anti-subversion law, and the Armed Forces Modernization Law.

Several months before he hangs his hat as the “Little President,” Ermita says his desire to remain in government remains strong.

“What drove me to enter politics after military service was that I felt I am still in a position and at that stage to help my people in Batangas. I was born in Balayan, so I thought I owe it to the people back home,” he says.

“I remember seeing people washing and drinking in nearby creeks and this is just outside Metro Manila. I thought this should not be and maybe I could do something about it in my own humble way,” he recalls.

In his present post, he takes pride that he can help not only Batangueños. As Executive Secretary, he is responsible for overseeing the operations of 238 government agencies. He makes sure that he delivers on his commitments in his meetings with various callers and officials. “I have this,” he says, brandishing a thick pad of paper on which he writes notes and reminders “so that I don’t forget or lose track of work.”

He says nothing beats the fulfillment of seeing people getting jobs, getting the services of a lawyer or obtaining assistance for the schooling of their children because he of his referrals or directives to help the many callers who line up at his office.

“As long as I’m healthy and fit, I will do everything so that I can continue with my public service and make a difference in the lives of Filipinos. My style always has been: How can I help as many people as I can.”