Vow of poverty

Certain ex-Cabinet officials of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III were being scored for alleged “conflict of interest” for presently occupying key positions in private companies, which were previously under their regulatory supervision. Singled out in particular is erstwhile Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, now the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).

Singson is one of the Cabinet members who stayed on during the six-year term of ex-President Aquino and served his administration from day one up to June 30 last year.

Once unknown fact, the issue against Singson actually cropped up during the public hearing of the House committee on transportation last week. The House hearing was looking into the unsettled feud among private contractors of the P2.8-billion common stations for Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 in North Avenue, Quezon City.

At the House public hearing, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez took issue on the present job of Singson at the LRMC, which he noted is less than a year after the term of the Aquino administration ended. Alvarez called Singson’s attention to the latter’s possible violation of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Alvarez cited specifically Section 7 of RA 6713 which, among other things, explicitly stated: “These prohibitions shall continue for a period of one year after resignation, retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of sub-paragraph (b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession with any matter before the office he used to be with, in which case, the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply.”

Singson, however, explained at the House hearing, he sought clearance from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) before he accepted the job offer of LRMC. According to Singson, the CSC and his lawyers, there is “no direct conflict of interest” of his being former DPWH Secretary with his new job as CEO and president of the LMRC.

Presumably, Singson’s argument was based on the fact the LRT and MRT are not agencies under the DPWH but were attached to the erstwhile Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). But that would be like splitting hairs to interpret the law otherwise if it favors to one’s case.

In apparent bid to wiggle out of his way, Singson threw back to the legislators to address this situation. “But as I said, you’re the framers of the law. Maybe further clarification of that particular restriction maybe in order,” Singson riposted.

Singson may not have said this during the House public hearing but he was obviously trying to point to the other ex-Cabinet officials like him who find themselves in the same legal predicament.

We can identify at least two of these former Aquino Cabinet members in the same boat with Singson. Ex-Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras and former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.

Almendras went back since August 1 last year to become again the managing director of Ayala Corp. and concurrently as president and chief executive officer of AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. Also one of the original Aquino Cabinet officials, Almendras first served as Department of Energy (DOE) secretary before he moved over as the Secretary to the Cabinet. He is a former Ateneo de Manila classmate of P-Noy who recruited him to join his Cabinet and leave his high-paying job as president then of Manila Water Co., one of the Ayala-owned companies in the country.

Coloma, on the other hand, was named executive vice president of Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. on September 1, last year. In its disclosure report to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Manila Bulletin stated Coloma does not own any common shares of the company.

But that is not the issue or the legal question here. The amiable ex-PCO secretary directly worked with all media entities during his six-year Cabinet stint during the Aquino administration.

In fairness to all three ex-Aquino Cabinet officials, they are the most qualified in their respective job positions now in the private sector. And, if I may add, they are now employed in better paying job than their previous public service stint.

This reminded me of our conversations with former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo. The STAR scooped the story when the former Aquino Cabinet official resigned as DTI chief on September 2, 2015.

The reason why he resigned abruptly from the DTI is Domingo became fodder for rumors of alleged infighting among the Aquino Cabinet officials. Before he resigned, we had Domingo as guest at my Kapihan sa Manila Bay. He candidly admitted his personal reason to go back to a much lucrative job in the private sector.

The ex-DTI Secretary explained he merely wanted a head start to avoid the one-year prohibition to apply.

 Being a father with still growing up children, Domingo cited the need for him to earn more than he was getting as Cabinet official.

As DTI secretary, Domingo also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Investments and was a board member of several government-owned and controlled corporations. Before his DTI stint, Domingo served as the Managing Director and Treasurer of Chase Manhattan Bank, Manila and as Managing Director of Chemical Bank in New York.

People who previously worked in high-paying jobs in the private sector may really end up impoverished after working honestly while in the government service. And this may also deprive their families of the luxurious lifestyle they used to enjoy while they were still in the private sector.

Perhaps, a good starting point to determine if these Cabinet officials have enriched themselves while in office is the annual submission of their statements of assets and net worth (SALN) as required by the same law, RA 6713. Incidentally, all government officials and employees must submit their individual SALN before the end of April each year.

Public service is really a sacrifice for people who have the best intentions in their hearts for national good and welfare of our people. To work in government is like taking a vow of poverty. The existing laws and rules prevent the kind of officials we need to work in the government service.