By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte is dismayed with the sluggish work by some civilian workers in the bureaucracy.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected government officials of Cagayan de Oro City at the Xavier Sports and Country Club on June 12, 2019. (KIWI BULACLAC / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President admitted that civilian sector tends to be "slow" and "legalistic,” prompting him to appoint former military men to do the job instead.
"Why do I prefer the military? This is not to derogate or to belittle the services of the civilian sector. What I don’t like about the civilian sector is...It is ever so slow and legalistic and they aren’t able to produce any output," Duterte said during his visit to General Santos City last Thursday.
"Sometimes, but not all, would run out of money when that happens," he added.
The President noticed the slow work rendered by some civilian employees after serving in government for many years. "I was the mayor of Davao City for the last 23 years. Then I became a congressman for three years, then I became a vice mayor for my daughter and then I became President," he said.
Duterte then highlighted how efficient former military men in the Cabinet follow his orders and get the job done fast.
He cited that former military chief and now Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu managed to lead the clean-up of Boracay drive in six months as directed. "So just like the military, I told Secretary Año, 'Secretary, clean up Boracay in six months,'" he said.
Duterte is also all praises for the integrity and competence of former police official and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Isidro Lapeña. He said Lapeña now leads the TESDA that provides skills training and other livelihood aid to Filipinos.
"TESDA is a department that focuses on teaching you livelihood skills. It’s headed by Secretary Lapeña, si Sid. He used to be my chief of police in Davao," he said.
"He has all the qualities of a public servant. I appointed him because he’s hardworking and he’s an honest guy," he added.
Last April, the President hinted that he was inclined to appoint more former military officials to his administration due to integrity and perseverance. Duterte said he has "a special fondness for the military for being fundamentally honest at industrious."
Among the ex-military men in the Cabinet are Presidential political adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista. Galvez, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.