The President's Men and Women: DILG chief to put into action anti-corruption drive

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo vowed to walk the talk on President Aquino’s “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” anti-corruption drive.

“Yes. ‘Walang corrupt’ will allow us to maximize the use of government resources and authority to deliver better service, especially to the poor,” Robredo told The STAR. “This campaign will restore the trust of the people in their leaders and will motivate them to make some sacrifice for the good of the public.”

Also with “walang corrupt,” the playing field will be leveled not only in terms of economic development but also in the protection of rights, according to Robredo, whose name was among the first mentioned by Mr. Aquino as his choice to become part of his campaign for reforms but was among the last to be officially appointed apparently to avoid hurting the feelings of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had openly expressed interest in the DILG portfolio.

Unlike other politicians who are known to make promises they can’t fulfill, Robredo’s credibility and capability are not doubted.

After all, he transformed Naga City from a third class municipality into a first class, highly urbanized city.

For this, Robredo had been recognized not only by his constituents but also by several prestigious award-giving bodies.

He was the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the equivalent of the Nobel Peace Price in Asia, in 2000 for excellence in local governance.

But the former mayor credited his team in Naga City - from his vice mayor down to the councilors - for all their accomplishments.

“The interest of the people is best served when we share power and responsibility with them,” Robredo said.

He related that several times, the residents of Naga City willingly shared additional tax burdens, knowing that these will benefit their city.

“Concretely, we have set up mechanisms for the Nagueño to have a say on and a stake in the affairs of the city government. They have responded by accepting that there is a corresponding obligation as well,” he said.

As DILG secretary, Robredo believes he could help other local government units become progressive towns and cities.

Robredo served as president of the League of Cities of the Philippines in 1995.

“While the size and scale (of Naga City and other LGUs) may be different, the mechanisms and processes that brought about the transformation are the same,” said Robredo. “The degree of difficulty might vary depending on how engaged the LGUs are with their constituencies but the common element is governance – how the governors engage with the governed.”

Modernization of DILG’s agencies

The DILG’s three main attached agencies – the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – have long been talking about modernization.

Robredo said he would exert all means to realize this dream even if the government continues to face financial constraints.

“Government must be able to do more with less,” explained Robredo. “While the resource constraints are certainly limiting, making our procurement more transparent in a level playing field can off-hand reduce costs by around 25 percent.”

Budget status posted

As part of the government’s transparency program, Robredo also disclosed that the current budget and status of DILG funds have been posted in the department’s official website which the public can access anytime.

Robredo said that the publication of the DILG budget, an unprecedented act, is one of the bold initiatives of the department not only to ensure transparency in all the agency’s transactions, but more importantly, to secure feedback from the public on “how we can judiciously utilize the funds of the DILG for their benefit.”

Robredo said that aside from the budget of the DILG and its attached agencies, pertinent information on the department’s procurements, bidding and other important data will also be uploaded to the website.

Meantime, Robredo said he supports the proposal of PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa for the creation of a commission to end media and militant killings.

He stressed that confidence building is necessary to secure the trust of mediamen and militants.

Systematic campaign

President Aquino had said that the drive against jueteng is not a priority but Robredo is ready to try out a more systematic campaign against the illegal numbers game.

Robredo gave assurance that the Aquino government has the political will and determination to stop jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling.

“We will do it in a systemic way. It will be a combination of strengthening the legal STL, enforcement and providing the livelihood and employment opportunities that it offers. No quick fix and cosmetic responses,” the Liberal Party stalwart said.

Up close and personal

Born in Naga City on May 27, 1958, Robredo is married to Maria Leonor Gerona, also a native of Naga. They have three daughters – Jessica Marie, 22; Janine Patricia, 16 and Jillian Therese, 10.

Robredo is the third of five children of Jose Chan Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas.

Robredo’s wife, who has always been very supportive of his public service, only has one request from her husband – a good, untainted name.

The DILG chief has very impressive educational credentials, being an Edward Mason Fellow with a Masters degree in Public Administration from the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Massachusetts.

Robredo completed his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines.

He is an alumnus of the De La Salle University where he obtained undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Robredo joined San Miguel Corp.’s Magnolia division after his graduation from La Salle in 1980.

Returning home to Naga City in 1986, Robredo served as program director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program, an agency tasked to undertake integrated area development planning of the region’s three provinces.

In 1988, Robredo, 29, became the youngest city mayor ever elected in the Philippines. He served the city for an unprecedented five 3-year terms as local chief executive.

Robredo was cited in 1999 by Asiaweek Magazine for transforming Naga City from a lethargic Philippine city into one of the most improved cities in Asia.

Aside from being a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Robredo also has 13 major individual awards, including the 1996 Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Award, the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM), 1998 Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines, and the first ever “Dangal ng Bayan” Award of the Civil Service Commission.