Friendly reminder

One week after the Duterte Administration has assumed power, people cannot really help but feel quite hopeful and encouraged that our country will finally be on the road to peace and prosperity. Foremost among the initial moves of Duterte that inspires optimism is his choice of cabinet members and head of important government agencies rendering basic services. Most of them create a feeling of confidence that improvement in public service is finally in sight. While some of them have occupied government positions in past administrations, their track record of service have been wholly satisfactory.

The choices indeed come from broad sectors of our society: the elite and the non-elite, the leftist and rightist, liberal and conservative. Most noteworthy however is that a number of them do not have such a close and intimate relationship with Duterte as would create the impression of exclusivity where complete transparency in government service may be eliminated. So far no one among them can be considered as a kabarkada in its strictest sense although there are some kaeskwelas from San Beda College and kababayans from Davao and other provinces in Mindanao. But apparently, their loyalty goes beyond the personal level and extends to the people in general unlike in the past administration where “kayo ang boss ko” is but an empty slogan and a publicity gimmick.

Another striking aspect in the new appointments is that all of them seem to know the problems in their respective departments that could not be solved or remained unsolved in the past administration. They are all aware of the existing situations that cry for immediate action because nothing has been done or could be done by Noynoy Aquino and his cohorts during the past six years. So they have already studied them and formulated concrete plans of action that will make people sit up, take notice and somehow feel some forthcoming improvements.

Most welcome indeed at this stage are the new members of the cabinet starting from the Executive Secretary, the primus inter pares, or the first among equals, Salvador Medialdea, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, Secretary of Agriculrure Emmanuel Pinol, Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin Diokno, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Regina Lopez, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial, Secretary of Information and Communications Technology Rodolfo Salalima, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary of Public Works and Highways Mark Villar, Secretary of Science and Technology Fortunato de la Pena, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez and Secretary of Transportation and Communications Arturo Tugade.

The list is quite impressive indeed. Most of them have careers in government and acquired a lot of experience in civil service and will therefore be almost “at home’ in their new positions so that they will immediately be “off the ground and running.”

Other notable appointees in strategic and important government bureaus and agencies are Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Cesar Dulay, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, National Economic Development Authority Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Solicitor General Jose Calida, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Chief Isidro Lapena, and  Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa also known as Bato” to signify his rock-fisted style of fighting crime and lawlessness ala Duterte himself.

But even as Filipinos are already whiffing the fresh air of change and feeling its initial effects, they are somewhat still bothered and alarmed by other developments. And this is especially true in the fight against the drug menace and other heinous crimes which remarkably accelerated during the dying days of the previous administration.

To be sure, the general public seems relieved with the surrender of thousands of drug dealers, pushers and users because of fear generated by the accelerated operations against them conducted by our law enforcers. This is a clear sign that the drug menace and other drug related crimes may be finally curbed. Yet they are also disturbed because so many alleged drug dealers, pushers have been killed in these increased operations conducted all over the country. Even if our law enforcers believe that the suspects are indeed guilty, our Constitution says that “no person shall be deprived of the right to life… without due process of law.”

In his inaugural address President Duterte has already assured us that he knows the law and what is right or wrong. Such statement is reassuring indeed even if his iron-fisted approached against crime and corruption persists. In fact this novel approach and different style of fighting these twin evils besetting our country for so many years now appears to be effective. Since he assumed office a week ago, government officials and other civil service employees have become more efficient in doing their jobs. Red tape has been significantly cut. Government papers and other documents or certificates applied for, that took months or weeks before being issued are now readily available in a matter of days. Obviously the “8888” hotline to Malacanang appears to intimidate government workers into doing their jobs without waiting for some grease money in return.

But in his eagerness and apparently sincere desire to change the system of governance, he has still gone beyond the rule of law as shown by his recent announcement about the five Police Generals involved in illegal drug operations. He may have solid evidence but instead of going public about it, he should have instructed government prosecutors to file the appropriate charges against them so that both sides may be heard in the proper forum. The right to due process of law must still be upheld. Hopefully he takes this reminder as a friendly advice from one who wishes him to succeed for the sake of our country and people.

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