Where Has Public Service in the Philippines Gone To?
Public service in the Philippines used to represent a lofty ideal. It is supposed to be the service provided by government to the Filipino people. Today, it is being compared to organized crime where the perpetrators never go to jail.
The Ideals of Public Service
In a perfect world, the ideals of public service are commendable. Candidates who present themselves to the people for election and win in the process get the extraordinary opportunity to serve as public officials. They will be in charge of ensuring that the Filipino people will have access to the basic services that will enable them to live decent lives.
Because the higher ethos of public service requires some form of self-sacrifice, it expected to attract people who wish to give something to the people through their work. Running for public service is supposed to express a person’s willingness to serve the needs of constituents. It was never meant to be the other way around.
Republic Act 6713
Republic Act 6713 clearly states the expected conduct of public officials and employees. It talks about public office being a public trust. It mentions commitment to public interest, professionalism, justice and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living. It also says that that there are duties to be performed, an incentive and reward system in place, and prohibitions for specific acts and transactions. It also includes the obligation to disclose assets, liabilities, and net worth as well as the need to divest of personal interest when there is conflict of interest. Last but not the least, there are penalties being mentioned here.
If we are to base our reaction on this law, we should be relieved and assured that there will be no abuses. The law has provided very clearly the expectations set in the performance of the duties of a public official and employee. I believe the provisions of the law cover elected and appointed officials and all people employed in the public sector.
The Recent Controversies
Even before typhoon Maring submerged the country once again in water, the Filipinos were already reeling with news and stories about the misuse of the Priority Assistance Development Fund (PDAF), more commonly known as the Pork Barrel Fund. Apparently, while most Filipinos were worrying about their next meal or their required medicine to keep them alive, some senators and congressmen were busy dealing with the likes of Janet Lim-Napoles to divert PDAF money for their own consumption. The amount being mentioned runs to a whopping Ten Billion Pesos.
Simple mathematics will make this possible considering that every senator gets Two Hundred Million Pesos per year as PDAF allotment while each congressman gets Seventy Million Pesos per year. Napoles and her tribe get their chance as they set up the mechanism to have the PDAF money divided between themselves and the politicians who consented to the scheme. Organized crime indeed.
My Say
When I heard all the good things the President had to say in his last SONA about the state of the country, I really wanted to believe because I wanted to hope for the best. However, I had the sinking feeling that everything is not as rosy as it was painted to be because I wasn’t personally feeling the benefits, but I thought it was just me. Then this controversy erupted…
Public service hasn’t changed its meaning. For as long as the English dictionary retains the meaning of service, I doubt if it ever will. It was only the people who occupied the positions that gave it a new meaning and a negative one at that. Where has public service in the Philippines gone? To the pigs, many would say, but I believe that pigs may find it insulting to be associated with such people.
Give decency back to Public Service in the Philippines. Without it, our country will not stand a chance. I took the liberty of sharing the cartoon above which I saw in my FB news feed because it says the sentiment of the people very clearly. Let the message of the people be heard. As the President seeks for the scrapping of the pork barrel fund, let it not be resurrected through a new name. Without any such advantage in sight, the Filipinos might just get to see the public officials who are really into it to serve the public.
mariegizellemichel
People thought that going parliamentary is just Arroyo’s way of holding on to power when countries with a Parliamentary for of government tend to be better than a “democratic” Republic with a presidential system… Looking back, the reason many didn’t want a change is because they know they can’ get as much money. lol – not funny at all but it’s annoying how trash politicos could get – and they’re clearly violating Republic Act 6713 – my god, they should have that plastered all over the walls of every citizen! (angry bird here)
Teresa Martinez
The enormity of corruption here is so devastating that it is almost stripping me of all hope. Anger is a natural reaction but we need to go beyond these emotions and hope that decency in public service becomes a reality once again.
tumandok
I am quite or inclined to disprove you that public service is an organized crime. In the PH, public office is a public trust. The office that the lawmakers are occupying by the votes they received from their constituents is being used for their personal interest. I know it is just your presumption.
Teresa Martinez
When I chose to emphasize the line that “Public service is an organized crime”, it was simply a reflection of disgust for the general practice prevailing in the country today. I know there are many honest public servants and they should be the first ones to be angry about this situation.
KIM NIEVES
I salute the people behind this caricature. It is humorous yet clearly shows the current state of our republic.
Teresa Martinez
Humor usually has a way of sending messages more clearly than anger.
Filipino Bloggers WW (@fbwgroup)
Public service has long been forgotten especially by the politicians, They run not to serve but to steal money.
Teresa Martinez
That is the general public perception that is why many feel hopeless.
genzelkisses
I haven’t watched SONA but yes, it’s sad, but for me our country is becoming worse each day. Only few people are to believe in the government. Some people do public service for their hidden agenda. only few are pure and true.
Teresa Martinez
Public service has been maligned for many years now by the actions and words of the current breed of politicians who have turned black or white to gray.
papaleng
Are you still hoping for a better change Sis. I can’t see even a gleam of light at the end of the tunnel. But if we wanted elected officials to perform to the best of their oath. Let not money be part of their service.
Teresa Martinez
I am very much tempted to give up but if I give up hope and all of us do, everything will be much more convenient for corrupt officials.
killboredom08
In his SONA, all that the president did was to promote himself but for all we know, putting words into action is not his nature.
Teresa Martinez
Every SONA aims to promote what has been accomplished by the presidency but words are hollow when we are confronted with contradicting realities.
Karen
Our current state of the nation is really saddening but still let us give hope that change will push through.
Teresa Martinez
Hope should never be lost because once we lose it, there is nothing else to look forward to. I have to admit though that these recent developments are making it more difficult to do so, if not impossible.
sir rob
I just love the cartoon character dialog. It is vulgar but very true and make a whole lot of sense.
Teresa Martinez
I think it goes to the point but the message will not understood by people who will choose to defend wrong causes.
Franc Ramon
Yesterday is a big step with the abolition of the PDAF. It would be better to have all projects supported by traceable documents.
Teresa Martinez
I think if the government really wants to put everything in order, they have all the resources to make it happen.
joy | chemist2writer
How I agree with you – sad reality that may be 🙁 Back when I was young, we were always groomed by our parents to think about working for the government but I didn’t get the chance to do that. It is sad how our officials are abusing their position. Even the president is such a let down 🙁
Teresa Martinez
Practically everyone in our batch took the civil service exams because then working with government was considered an honor and a privilege…feels like a lifetime ago.
Roch
I’m not really sure if corruption in the country has decreased or even worsened. With the pork barrel issue, people are getting more conscious about our government officials’ (the pigs’) activities.
Teresa Martinez
I thought for a while there that we have seen the worse with all the previous controversies already exposed. It would appear that there a lot of surprises to come.
FashionTravels
indeed it is very hard to somehow believe to what all the president or someone higher than ordinary people talking about how good they can be since filipino’s voted for them but then i will just go crazy thinking about it. it is hopeless.
Teresa Martinez
Clearly, there is something wrong both with the system and some people occupying sensitive positions in the government. This can really drive some to hopelessness.
Francis Balgos
This issue leaves a particularly nasty after taste, especially to us who had been working to improve our lives and those that we love and the oublic in general.
It makes me seeth with anger that we are fooled and that it has been happening for a long time.
Teresa Martinez
I’m pretty sure the Filipinos have a good idea of the corruption happening in our country but we still get shocked for the callousness of some in doing it.
Jonas Labagala
It’s so sad to know that all of the hard work of the citizens here in our country is just wasted and went to these people who are so insensitive to our countrymen. If they’ll not do something for our people, they might as well be out of their position because after all, they’re just for money not for public service. Sad reality indeed but we must learn how to fight since what they’re spending right now is our money! The blood and sweat of Filipinos just went nothing. I really hope this time, we can really feel the improving economy of our country. I feel pity for the majority of the Filipinos who worked hard for their family but have nothing in return. 🙁
Teresa Martinez
It is just so disgusting for a few people to have too much while others wallow in despair.
sellingstuffshereshopBobs
Year by year, election by election, Filipino people seems don’t learn from the past. Each election, we would always choose the wrong candidates and we let them win. Then after a year or two no changes will be done. Same old crap, same old broken promises.
Probably, you’ll be thrilled po with Ms. Lani Mercado’s opinion about scrapping out the Pork Barrel.
Teresa Martinez
I have read it and just felt more let down in hearing straight from the horses’ mouth what they think of PDAF or Pork Barrel- a dole-out system to perpetuate “utang na loob” in the wrong sense.
Yamito Uytingco Calamba
It maybe good that all these political scandal and corruption have been raised on PNOY’s term but you can’t just open a can of worms and do nothing. Something has to be done, if not going after all of the people involved in the PDAF scam, at least totally abolishing the pork barrel and create a new strategy that will clearly let the people know where’d their money go.
Teresa Martinez
For all the brains we have working for government, how is it not possible to think of an uncomplicated, corrupt-free system of providing services to the people?