ARE you surprised with the title of my column today? Read the whole column and you know what I mean.
I will start with the news in the daily papers about the shipment of shabu drugs with sheets of silver wrappings costing billion pesos in value. These entered the port in huge magnetic round caskets, electronically manipulated. All persons in the port knew about this and saw it. Except the Chief Officer of Customs who said that he did not see any shabu.
After sometime in denial, maybe with the qualms of a disturbed conscience finally admitted that there was shabu in the shipment. He was removed by the President from his office and assigned him to be the head of Tesda, a 24-year-old government agency which had won the "hearts of the people."
Tesda means Technical Education and Skill Development Authority. It provides quality skills training, jobs and profitable income sources. It is the solution to many problems in society, not war or unrest but a chance for every Filipino to improve their lives, specially the least fortunate. Personally, I appreciated Tesda for its services to the Filipinos and had featured it in my past columns. It gives the Filipinos opportunities to ensure that our human capital remains not only competitive but productive and world class. It ensures that those who have less in life would have more opportunities to increase their chances to secure their own livelihood, self- employment or inclusion in the labor market.
Isidro Lapeña was appointed to head Tesda. This statement of Lapeña shocked me -- "What will I do in Tesda?”
What? This is my question. Does this mean that he knows, practically nothing about his new post? During his induction he said that there will be no room for corruption under his administration. To prove this, he even invited the officials of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission during his oath of office. Urdaneta, the current head, encouraged all officials and rank-and file employees of Tesda, particularly the employees union known as the Association of Concerned Employees (ACE) to support Lapeña. May I ask for the same support, the same commitment, and the same professionalism to pursue the agency's programs for our fellow Filipinos.
This news headline of Philippine Daily Inquirer issue of November 13, 2018 shocked me anew: “Nbi files corruption complaint vs Lapeña.” This elaborates the news. Not quite off the hook in the “shabu” smuggling scandal, the former customs commissioner is facing graft charges in connection with the disappearance of a ceramic tile shipment worth P69 million.
Now you be the judge about the urgent need of all citizens to be aware of the corrupt practices of our government officials.
National election is scheduled in May, 2919. Scrutinize the qualifications of all candidates who filed their COC. Be sure they are men or women who deserve our respect and who have genuine integrity and moral values.