The Philippine Star
President Aquino dreads seeing two or three members of his Cabinet he considers harbingers of bad news.
Aquino’s candid admission was made before dozens of officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways gathered for the department’s 113th anniversary celebrations yesterday. He made it clear Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson was not among the three.
“Sa totoo lang, meron akong na-obserbahan na mga miyembro ng gabinete, mga dalawa o tatlo – kada makita ko agad iniisip ko, ano kayang bad news ang dala-dala nito (In truth, I have observed Cabinet members, about two or three – each time I see them I wonder what bad news they bring),” he said.
He said that other Cabinet members, including Singson, are always ready with solutions.
Aside from Singson, Aquino said he considered as outstanding Secretaries Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology and Florencio Abad of the Department of Budget and Management.
“Whenever I see the others like Babes Singson, Mario Montejo and Secretary Abad, they are most of the time prepared with solutions,” the President said.
He said this is the reason why he is always ready to accept the three officials’ requests for appointment.
“Iyung iba ho, pinipilit ko na lang na harapin, dahil itong (mga) tao na ito, talagang, penitensiya ko na yata sa mundong ito kaya okey na lang (For the others, I have to force myself. Maybe it’s part of my tribulation in this world),” he quipped.
He also said he felt glad to set foot again at the DPWH main office, and that his last visit was ages ago when he was still a lawmaker deprived of his pork barrel funds by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Before he was elected senator in 2007, Aquino was a congressman from Tarlac. He joined the opposition against the Arroyo administration shortly after the “Hello, Garci” scandal broke out in 2005.
Closure
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano again called on the Aquino administration to put closure to the scams of the past administration by holding those involved accountable for graft and corruption.
While the senator lauded the Aquino administration for its good work in instituting good governance, Cayetano said he found it “lacking” in holding the Arroyo administration accountable for alleged corruption.
“Holding people accountable is an effective deterrent against future abuses to power. It is the only way we learn. When a person is removed from office, charged and incarcerated, we send a message that crime does not pay. If not, they will just resort to better timing or hiding,” he said.
Cayetano made the call as President Aquino is set to mark his one year in office by the end of the month.
In a statement, Cayetano pointed out that while it is only right for the government to go after the “big fish” in graft and corruption cases, there is also a need to go after the “small fishes” who are tasked to do the paperwork necessary to commit these crimes.
“If we look at the scams that happened during the Arroyo administration – fertilizer scam, ZTE, swine scam, etc – no one is held accountable so far. And worse, we are only focusing on the mastermind,” he lamented.
The minority leader used the “Hello Garci” scandal to illustrate his point, stating that while the Garci tapes may not be used as evidence, they can provide leads to independent investigation should Malacañang decide to initiate one.
“How important is it for Malacañang to go after the evils or the sins of the past administration?” he asked.
Cayetano also reiterated his call for the purging of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of commissioners and other officials tagged in the Hello Garci controversy.
“If the Garci boys are still present and even promoted here in Comelec, who’s to say that the Fertilizer boys and the Swine Scam boys are not roaming at large at the Department of Agriculture (DA) or in the other agencies? Or the ZTE boys still lurking at NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) and DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications)?” – with Christina Mendez
What’s preventing him from firing those he ‘dreads’? Instead of making sumbong to the public without giving names, he should fire them. He is the President. He has the power to do that. He would be doing the Filipino people good if he removes those he feels are a burden to the taxpayers.
Gumagaya na si PNoy kay Cristy Fermin.Nanonod siguro ito ng Juicy!
Clue.Clue.
It is VERY UNETHICAL for P Noy to make such a statement. He chose the cabinet members, ergo, it`s his fault. He chose to run as president of a3rd world country, then live with the problems. Are people with Downs syndrome pabigat and pasakit sa mundo???? Hmmm, if you have nothing to say, just shut up. Haaaay, dont you regret voting for him?
Ellen,
Is that Babes Singson today? Wow! He’s aged but his hair is still jet black. He served under Baby Boy Noynoy’s mother too. (I know him.)
Anyway, why is Baby Boy Noynoy whimpering again? Why doesn’t he just bloody sack those who can’t help him with solutions. No use whining in public. He’s the president for shit sake.
if you have nothing good to say, just shut up
Yes, Anna. That’s Babes Singson.
I don’t think aquino is accusing these three of corruption. they just deliver bad or negative news when they meet the president. let’s not kill the messenger. would rather have public servants who are brutally honest in informing the president than yes men who present things thru rose tinted glasses.
“Sa totoo lang, meron akong na-obserbahan na mga miyembro ng gabinete, mga dalawa o tatlo – kada makita ko agad iniisip ko, ano kayang bad news ang dala-dala nito (In truth, I have observed Cabinet members, about two or three – each time I see them I wonder what bad news they bring),” he said.
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It really depends on how well one can see the context, some people though very good in talking and writing in English just don’t understand it that well. Its better we reserve our judgment after reading 10 times first, sheesh, what a bunch of communication impaired intellectuals we have. 🙂
Ito namang si Delon, wala na sigurong maisulat kays “nag slant” na lang as usual, the tricks of the trade.
This is Inquirer’s version of the story:
Bearers of bad news give President Aquino the jitters
By Norman Bordadora
It would be no surprise if some Cabinet members are now on pins and needles after President Aquino jokingly said Thursday that there were two or three members of his official family who he’d rather not deal with.
In a speech at the 113th anniversary celebrations of the Department of Public Works and Highways on Thursday, Mr. Aquino praised Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson for always giving him good news and solutions to problems whenever they sit down to discuss the department’s concerns.
He said he also welcomed meetings with Science Secretary Mario Montejo and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad as they always presented him with positive developments and solutions.
But in the case of two or three unnamed Cabinet members, the President said, “everytime I see them, I immediately think, what bad news do they have for me?”
“That’s why whenever they [Singson, Montejo and Abad] would ask for an appointment, I immediately approve it. The others, I just force myself to face [them],” he told his audience that included two former public works secretaries—Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. and Vicente Paterno—and DPWH officials and rank-and-file employees.
There was one particular Cabinet secretary, Mr. Aquino said, who seemed to be his “penance”.
This is the second time that an oblique expression of dissatisfaction with a Cabinet official from the President has unsettled the members of his official family.
In late May, in remarks at the airport on arriving from a state visit to Thailand, Mr. Aquino said an unnamed Cabinet official could be given another assignment if issues concerning the agency he headed were not resolved.
He said the secretary was one of those with him at the airport.
This prompted Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda to say that the Cabinet members who did not go to the airport to meet the President that night could “all heave a sigh of relief.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/17599/bearers-of-bad-news-give-president-aquino-the-jitters
hindi tama na sinabi pa niya in public iyan. pagmumulan lang ng tsismis. unpresidential iyan.
The VP-Legal of the government agency I used to work for, used to tell a division manager (litigation lawyer lang ako, not a manager):
“Don’t give me problems, give me solutions.” “If I have to solve the problem, para que ka pang nandiyan?”
A good manager always quantifies. That is the only way to measure effectivity. Adjectival phrases like “the Department is more efficient, more streamlined”, etc., salitang bolero yan. Fraus latet in generalibus (fraud and deceit lurk behind generalities).
Ang tanong, how many roads and bridges have we built (DPWH)? How frequent are the trips of the light rail? What is the ideal frequency?
How many streets have garbage uncollected? What was the number a month ago? So have we improved or deteriorated?
What is the percentage fossil fuel dependency of the NAPOCOR? The Marcos government had a program to decrease dependency, in, I believe, 20 years. Looking back now, has that been achieved, or have the managers who took over put us in greater dependency on foreign oil?
Quantify, quantify. Otherwise, lahat yan, boladas.
So in the State of the Nation Address I hope we will see some big and small numbers – increases in output, and decreases in expense.
Let us look at the issue in its probable proper context. Imagine a cabinet member talking to the President one on one: One– the Sec could be briefing P Noy about resources manpower, materials, money etc.) problems of his dept and asking or implying need for presidential assistance because he is not getting the cooperation of other departments to carry out joint undertakings; Two– He could be talking of problems in general affecting his or other departments in which he has knowledge about hanky pankies or troubles looming because of P Noy’s appointees, Three—the Sec is hinting he needs a way out for all sorts of reasons; in short he wants; Four—he is doing a “Chu-Chu-Wah” a subtle kind of ass licking and backbiting. Lastly, of course a hundred more possible detailed scenarios.
Why did P Noy jokingly shared his thoughts with media and the people as he must have thought about it for sometime? Perhaps, it’s his way of sending a message to his team, that not his way of leadership at all. Not this way: Sir I lack men in this priority project and need help as soon as possible. Better this way: Sir, Pitoy of the Dept of Rocks agreed to lend me on detail a hundred men until the completion of this project; Civil Service says it’s okay if we have your approval.
Did P Noy did right in this, his own kind of transparency? Is it UNpresidential? What a foolish question! Everything P Noy does as president is presidential, P Noy’s way and style; his words and utterances, his body language, his sartorial elegance are his own Presidential ways. Certainly not the way MEDIA defines it or Lincoln, Ferdinand, Fidel or Emilio Aguinaldo. Transparency can be undefined by sincerety. People who doubts both transparency and sincerety in political situations may have difficulty understanding their manifestations .
Some hypothetical President could be in this situation: One—Sir this is the whole of it, the entire caboodle of what we got. Just tell me how many per cent goes to us and that takes care of everything. Or the unacceptable alternative, Two—Sir this is the gratitude from your friends. Don’t worry about me and those who helped that’s already taken cared of.
the word OUT was left OUT. sorry.
Three—the Sec is hinting he needs a way out for all sorts of reasons; in short he wants out;
Sana sa SONA, ang isang magandang gagawin ni PNoy, pangalanan nya ang 3 cabinet members na nagbibigay sa kanya ng headache. Tapos, sabihing nyang I already accepted their irrevocable resignation.
parang bata na nag susumbong sa nanay itong presidente natin.
Baka nasa isip niya kaya niya sinasabi ay para hindi siya masumbatan ng tao or mapuna. Palpak pala ang napili mo ano pa ang dapat mong gawin. Umiyak ng umiyak.. gawan mo ng paraan at presidente ka pa naman at huwag puro hangal. Wala ka pa ngang napapakulong sa mga mag nanakaw ay hangal ka ng hangal. Kulang ka sa gawa
It’s unbelievable and it’s a kiddie thing. An elected president acting and whining like a kid na inapi at nagtitiis at nagpepenetensiya because his appointees can’t live up to his expectations (whatever) and doesn’t have any clue on what to do with them. He seemed lost, confused and the best he could think of is to make sumbong to his “bossings”. What an i…t! That’s the best proof of indecisiveness, incompetence and lack of leadership. Nobody has to tell him that he is the president and he has all the powers to hire and fire anybody and it doesn’t need a lot of intellect to do it, but just a simple use of his power and common sense.
A competent and a true leader is always ready to hear reports from all his men whether good or bad, after all they are members of the team. Besides it’s him who hand-picked them based on either they are qualified or KKKs. So kung mga palpak ang mga hand-picked, nobody can be blamed because the buck stops at your door steps and the best option is to fire them if you have the guts and mawawala na yong penetensiya.
The unfortunate thing about Noynoy is he loves to hear the good news, even when there’s none. He hates bad news even if it’s glaring at his face. In that context, it’s both easy and hard to be in the elite circle of Noynoy. Easy for the KKKs and “yes” men who close their eyes and ears and report only the good things to gain points and please him. He is their “nanny” and they are not only his sacred cows but his “babies” who know how to differentiate the sound of a gun from a firecracker.
It’s hard for those who know how to say “no”, and who keep their eyes and ears open and report the real thing. To him, they are his crucifiers who make his days an everyday sufferings and penitence.
Unfortunately for these people, for telling the real things, they are either dumped or humiliated in public.
Kaya nga dinadaan ni PNOY sa dada ay baka ma resign ang tatlong kumag na iyun. Kasi di niya matangal tangal dahil sa bayad utang niya. Baka malaki ang na itulong ng tatlong haring kumag na ito sa kampanya niya or nag bigay pera sa kanya noon.
Ano ang magagawa natin at naging presidente dahil sa sympathy vote galing kay Cory.
I have nothing against Pnoy nor do I have anything (yet) to praise him for. But like in marriage, you, Noynoy, are married to your job for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until your term ends, or are impeached, or till death do you part. Unlike Gloria Arroyo who enjoyed every minute of her stolen rule, you now realize that being on top is a very lonely job. Be a pal………….be a father to us all. Come down off your pedestal and squeeze the trigger off on all incompetents. Otherwise show us the wisdom why most Pinoys made you president. You asked for it and you got it. It is not everyday that things are hunky-dory.
If Pnoy has problems with his three cabinet members, he should just have a one on one talk with them rather than airing his problems to us. Let us face it, during putot’s time marami talagang napabayaan. Nakawan lang ng nakawan ang kanyang mga alipores. So, if there are so many problems in most of these agencies, natural lang na humingi sa kanya ng tulong para malutas ang kanilang mga problema. I bet you most of the problems are about money, infrastructures and the like. Nandyan kasi ang malalaking nakawan noong panahon ni putot. If I were Pnoy, I will bite my toungue whenever he feels like he wants to “parinig”. Get to the point and if these three are incompetent, fire them! But if they go to him because their departments or agencies need help, Pnoy should assess the problems and help in rehabbing these government agencies. Hindi maganda yang “parinig”. Ginagawa lang yan ng mga “ewan”.
Kanya kanya lang style yan. Kung gusto ni Pnoy ang mga cabinet members na puro “sugar quoted” lang ang reports, hindi rin yata tama din yun. Siempre mas maraming mga problemang sasabihin sa kanya kesa yung “good news” palagi. In other words he is saying na kung problema lang ang dala mo, huwag mo na lang siyang kausapin. He is saying that if a cabinet secretary can not offer him solutions to problems, tameme na lang. Gusto lang niya yung mga cabinet members na marunong “mambola”. Talagang magkakaproblema lalo ang Pilipinas nyan.
vonjovi2, i got a text from a friend re your comment #17 saying that it’s unfair to children:
“Ang bata, candid. Will name names.”
“if you have nothing good to say, just shut up” – acibig
Or as my blog’s byline says, “If you have nothing good to say, put tongue in, anew!“.
Noynoy might not have the guts to tells those 3 secretaries straight to their faces. But if he wanted to make parinig, he better do it in a cabinet meeting, not through media.
Office Management 101.
First, tell those 3 secretaries what their defect is in private. Tell them you need a cause analysis, then recommended solutions, not just problem identifications. If they continue to do omit recommended solutions, then fire them. If the media asks why, tell them why.
I’m with Noynoy on this irritating habit of subordinates to come to you with just problem identifications, no recommendations. The President has enough on his plate. Subordinates are expected to make it easier for their boss to decide things by presenting him with an array of possible solutions and his recommended one.
Perhaps the three subordinates never even realized what they were doing wrong. That’s why they have to be told. But in private.
But if they continue to not follow instructions, they have to go..no matter whether they were recommended by some financial or political or religious biggie.
Noy said before that the masses are his boss; so he’s just reporting da kapalpakan of some of his cabinets, there’s nothing wrong with that.