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Friday, June 23, 2006
Roperos: Politics and civil service
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
There appears to have emerged an interesting angle in the protracted issue on the post of district collector of the Bureau of Customs.
In page two of this daily the other day, the matter of political intervention in the affairs of the civil service came out in the open. It is an issue that has become an accepted albeit regressive practice.
At least two local political luminaries frowned on the propensity of some people to seek political help to get appointed to civil service posts. The adverse reaction came from Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz and Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez.
Fact is, this the first time in memory that an aspirant to a civil service post needing direct appointment from the President has openly sought support from the Provincial Board (PB) through a resolution. I know of many who sought the help of individual PB members, but not as a body.
This time around, a Boholano lady openly asked the Cebu PB to endorse her for the post of district Customs collector. Problem is, according to the Vice Guv, she is not qualified, being only a Collector II, while the post needs a Collector VI.
But that is not really our point in this piece. We are interested in what our two politicians have decried—the propensity of our people to seek the help of politicians in order for them to get a job in public offices.
Actually, our politicians could not be faulted for extending such assistance. It is fishing for votes in an otherwise placid constituency. Besides, some PB members may be planning to run for Congress, if not for reelection. Still, the PB passing a resolution of endorsement as a body for anyone does not sound good.
I recall how politicians after the war recommended to the police their followers and body guards. When they were in, they abetted political terrorism and election fraud in favor of their political patrons. They also committed petty graft simply because they had strong “political backers.”
While the practice has attained a degree of finesse today, it is still as bad as before.
The most recent instance, of course, is that of Purita Parohinog, who has pursued the district Customs collector’s post by soliciting support from politicians.
Ruiz said that any “promotion to career positions in government must be done through merit and not through endorsement of any politician.” Sanchez revealed that he is in possession of documents showing Purita is not qualified.
It is a sign of political responsibility when some PB members reportedly withdrew or are withdrawing their endorsement of Parohinog.
In the first place, it is difficult to understand why she should openly aspire for a post she is not yet qualified for. It would have been different if she were more qualified than Lourdes Mangaoang, who is ranked Collector V. It would be quite unfair not to appoint a more qualified person to the position.
As it is, to be known as someone who gained a career executive position in the civil service because of politics would not endow honor to both the person and the career system of the government.
Merit and competence should be key factors in achieving excellence in public service. Giving premium to mediocrity in governance should be the last thing Filipinos should aspire for.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 23, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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