Our ‘unprofessional bureaucracy

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It was probably her valedictory, but the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission minced no words when she spoke at a public function yesterday and confirmed, rather reinforced, what most Filipinos already knew, but did not have the guts to denounce before.

Karina Constantino David, the outgoing chairperson of the CSC disclosed that no less than 40 percent of all those who had been appointed by the President to very high and important positions in this administration are “not qualified” for their posts. Referring to this as the country's “unprofessional bureaucracy”, David said this means that four out of every 10 officials appointed by President Arroyo are not fit for the sinecures that they are now occupying.

David stated that there are no less than 90 retired police or military generals who are now serving at departments or agencies they are not prepared for. She gave as examples the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and, in the academe, the Mindanao State University , all of which are headed by former generals.

At the same time, the CSC head also pointed out that there are some 60 undersecretaries appointed in excess of the Commission on Audit requirements, as well as more excess assistant secretaries in the various departments, all of which receive handsome remunerations and additional perks in the form of allowances and other privileges not enjoyed by ordinary, civil service workers in the government.

David attributed these appointments to the fact that the beneficiaries are supporters during elections, candidates close to the powers-that-be who had lost their bids for public office, or are children of this or that official or friend of the appointing authority.

David is reportedly leaving the CSC very soon. This is her swan song, then, and we can also adopt it as our people's lament.*