IN our last episode, I detailed the surrounding circumstance of my “accidental” employment as Regional Executive Director (RED) of the Department of Agriculture in Region 7 and later as ASec for the Visayas during the term of President Digong Duterte.
It was a very challenging experience for me because of so many factors. One, it was so sudden I had no time to properly reflect on my set of priorities then. Two, there was no “training” or “briefing” so to speak to better prepare me for the huge tasks and very challenging responsibility. Basta ba lang gibutang, no trial at all, it was like I was told to just work and perform my function. To think that it was my first experience in government service, and the scope of authority was regional.
I had to navigate in dangerous waters on day 1 and thereafter because all the employees and officials of the region were total strangers. Just to memorize all their names and faces, their respective functions or offices were already a gargantuan task. Finding the trustworthy ones was also a very challenging task. Imagine, one official kept on accompanying me in official functions and I thought she was simply shepherding me and she was inspired by honest intentions of helping me only to find out later that she was with me all those times “kay basin og magpataka og yawyaw si Sir.”
Then there was this group of “very friendly” and “very accommodating” officials who were only “nagpa-sipsip” and were just trying to vie for influence and choice positions.
Of course, the task of memorizing the names and faces, positions and functions and all, also applies to national officials, including officials from other regions, and attached agencies as well.
Then, the politicians of course, from congressmen, governors, mayors and even barangay officials, one has to memorize them all especially during official functions.
And if that was stressful already, add the tasks of “quick-learning” the ramifications of procurement, budgeting, target-setting and all that, and what do you have?
And of course, the heavy load of signing voluminous documents every day, and night until early dawn, including the almost daily travels anywhere in the Philippines either by land, sea and air.
Yes, Virginia, while the position as RED of DA-7 was quite impressive, it was also fraught with heavy baggage and liabilities. Sipyat og kas-a di ba magmahay ka.
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And if that was not enough, there were also “bad” and vengeful politicians to reckon with.
Take for instance the former DA Secretary, former 3rd district congressman and later Bohol Governor Art Yap.
During the short rein of former DA Secretary Manny Piñol, Art Yap never stopped and did all that his immense power and influence could muster – to remove me from the DA. His terrific power and influence was most felt during budget months when he threatened to dilly-dally with the DA’s budget in the House if “Diputado was not removed from DA-7.”
Of course, Piñol easily capitulated to Art Yap’s power-tripping despite Piñol’s panghambog that he would stand by us REDs when bullied by politicians.
When Piñol was replaced by Secretary William Dar, the same bullying atmosphere by Art Yap prevailed.
But like Piñol, Dar also learned the bitter truth – it was not that easy to remove me from DA-7 because of PRRD himself.
How did I know that?
The enlightening words came from Piñol himself when he told me one time – bisag unsaon nako pangita og paagi nga mawala ka diha sa DA-7 tungod anang imong “amigo” nga si Art Yap, wa gyod gihapon koy mahimo kay magsigi og pangutana si PRRD og naa ra ba ka sa DA-7. Sugod karong first week of January, balik na ka sa Region 7.
This was Piñol’s reply when I greeted him Merry Christmas while I was transferred to region 8 for about 3 months, all because of Art Yap’s posturing and power trip.
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Why this specific recollection?
Well, newly-elected US President Donald Trump is now forming his cabinet and one observation in his appointment is this – Trump values loyalty, more than ever.
The same with PRRD.
One time while having dinner in Malacañang together with former Bohol Governor Victor dela Serna, I asked PRRD what he expected from me as his DA-7 regional executive director.
“Usa lang akong pangayoon nimo, loyalty, mao ra. Kon loyal ka nako, di gyod tika pasagdan,” was his succinct reply. And true enough, I felt his unseen hands all throughout my stay in the DA.
In that respect, PRRD and Trump are alike.
