Gov’t can be dangerous for your health

Working in government can be dangerous for your health. Ask resigned secretary of health Ted Herbosa, who resigned due to his knee ailment that requires months of therapy.

A day or two later, he was replaced by Dr. Jose Pujalte, former medical director of the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital who, after 28 days, has joined the ranks of former secretaries of the DOH, also resigning for health reasons.

Nothing has been said about Dr. Pujalte’s medical condition, so I would venture a guess that he resigned due to work acquired mental health issues caused by accusations of unseen individuals or invisible “concerned citizens.”

Unfortunately, it does no good for Dr. Pujalte to decry the allegations because in Philippine politics and bureaucracy, the higher the position the greater the number of piranhas, operators and assassins that are out to get you.

Herbosa and Pujalte can take solace that they are not the first victims of the Malacañang firing squad (that honor belongs to a former official of the DA).

Various mafias entrenched in government have also brought down reformists and professionals, even pushing for the impeachment of the Vice President after she conducted her own “Hunt for Red October” or communists in DepEd.

The sad reality of government appointments is that in spite of all the hurdles candidates may be subjected to, the fact is they can’t please everybody, and even if they have the expertise and credentials, you may be in direct competition to or displace someone else’s candidate.

I remember one administrator who had at least three decades of experience in the private sector, had all the endorsements and actually got the appointment.

But when a new Cabinet secretary was appointed, the administrator suddenly came under attack, charged and unceremoniously removed from office, with no help from the new secretary.

I found out the new secretary wanted one of his own assets to get the job. Unfortunately, the only person the administrator had to report to or account to did not have the spine to defend the administrator.

Aside from his humiliation, the administrator had to spend a couple million to hire a legal team and mount a defense against the accusation that the Court of Appeals eventually dismissed after nearly a year.

UP Political Science professor and well-respected analyst Clarita Carlos posted on her Facebook account: “Since 1986, I have been staunchly advocating that search committees be created to help vet executive positions.”

Before reading Dr. Carlos’ post, I actually wrote the outline for this opinion piece where I also suggested necessary steps to prevent Cabinet secretaries and the like from resigning due to health reasons.

First of all, get their consent, directly or indirectly. I remember someone who was offered the position of secretary. Surprised by the offer, the candidate sincerely replied “Sir, let me just talk to my wife.”

For that he was dropped from the list! Hello, serving in government is not a prize or favor. It requires sacrifice, risks and hardship not only for the candidate but also for his immediate and extended family. I certainly respect the guy for knowing his priorities.

The next step would be to require potential appointees to undergo a thorough and complete medical examination, including mental health and psychiatric profile, drug and alcohol tests. We should do the same for elective positions to filter out the psychos, druggies and narcissists.

After the medical, due diligence and a background investigation should be conducted to find out if the candidate has political or personal enemies, criminal or civil cases both active and dismissed, taxpayer history, as well as financial background.

Public office is a public trust but presidents and people in power should not place their trust in people simply on the basis of obedience, willingness to violate the law or their political contributions.

Under the PBBM administration, I have noticed that many appointees carry the same family names of the Cabinet secretaries and political allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Some people in this government who don’t have a shred of experience or expertise are either buddies, former schoolmates or generous donors to the campaign fund of PBBM. I can’t help but wonder if many of them feel they are getting their ROI either in cash or psychic benefits.

Until search committees are required by law, the best we can do is pray that God in his infinite mercy would send us appointees with proven integrity, perfect health, cast iron stomach and mind to survive the “slings and arrows” of mafias and interest groups circling government offices.

As far as the Department of Health is concerned, I know for a fact that there is no lack of competent physicians, experts and executives to help improve public health. I have known and worked with a number of them.

Dr. Edwin Mercado certainly has the necessary credentials needed as a public health executive. Mercado is a graduate of the UP School of Medicine, has a Masters in Global Health Delivery from Harvard School of Medicine and an Executive Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Carolina, USA.

Secretary Mercado could be the “firestarter” for change, but the time is too short to see results, just enough time to “plant seeds” or empower others and build an army to continue the battle. To do that, PBBM must give him FULL backing.

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