‘Cabinet doing best to deliver public service’

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has defended the Cabinet from criticisms that it is not organized and maintained that members of the official family are doing their best to get the job done.

“We at the Cabinet are striving our best to deliver public services, honoring the commitments of the President during the campaign,” Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan said in a press briefing yesterday.

Ablan was reacting to former president Fidel Ramos’ criticism that members of the Cabinet are qualified but cannot work together.

Ablan also claimed that social networking sites may have played a role in highlighting the issues involving the administration.

“And if I may just mention that 20 years ago, there is no such thing as social media. And so what may be glaring to all of us today might not have been that glaring few decades ago. So just to put things in context,” he said.

Duterte had described Ramos as his “number one supporter and critic.” Ramos also scored Duterte earlier for his tirades against the Paris climate deal and his failure to attend the gala dinner and photo shoot of leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in Peru last month.

Cabinet spouses’ project

Meanwhile, spouses of Cabinet members yesterday launched a project to build “homes” for drug dependents in Metro Manila as their contribution to the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The project is called “4R Home.” The four Rs stand for reform, recharge, reeducate and reintegrate.

4R Homes will be constructed all over Metro Manila. Each home will have a computer room, a gym, chapel and a clinic.

Each 4R Home will have a special area for income generating facilities because drug surrenderees will be taught to repair cellphones and air-conditioning units.

Jocelyn Sueno, president of the Du30 Cabinet Spouses Association and wife of Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, said the project would cater to poor former drug users who cannot afford to enter regular rehabilitation centers.

“This free formation house is a special program designed to support President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs,” Sueno said during the project launch at The Fort in Taguig City.

“We thought the word rehab is too harsh, and as a mother it has a negative connotation. So we changed it to home, which is a more motherly, loving word.

“This is a place where they can stay until they are ready to integrate again to the community,” she added.

Other Cabinet spouses who attended the launch were Beth Dureza, Alelee Andanar, Lorna Esperon, Flor Evasco, Marie Diño, Bertola Medialdea, Marissa Aguirre and Marisol Tugade.