Gov. Davide is too lenient towards his subordinates

The recent scandal in the Provincial Capitol of Cebu involving a high-ranking official and his secretary is a lesson that Cebu Governor Hilario III must learn himself.

There is no qualm with the fact that Davide is a very serious public servant, without minding publicity and PRs on his achievements. Davide is known of his humble image, and a silent-type of worker as compared to his predecessor who spent bulk of people's money for publication while riding big horses, wearing cowboy's hat in her favorite events.

But it seems that his personality does not fit to his position as the father of the province. Otherwise stated, Davide's uprightness becomes the floodgate of abuses by his own men.

Look, Capitol security chief Loy Anthony Madrigal is but one case in point. But I do not think that Madrigal's "public display of affection" could not have happened if he was not given the chance to pluck his amorous pursuit over his own office secretary, who happened to be married. Chance would mean an opening where a man in his fearful mind would not do nasty things if the leader of his organization he is working with is strict and can command deference.

The woman's husband broke his silence over the issue and expressed amazement how Madrigal was able to permeate his deeds without being detected by his boss, Davide. Like the woman's husband, I cannot imagine that Madrigal could freely utilize the services of Civil Security Unit in fetching and guarding her secretary. Madrigal knows it for a fact that when a single CSU man is sent to fetch his secretary would mean a waste of people's money. Yet, these were done so many times around. But again, this would not have happened if the Capitol is a place where its leader is stern towards his subordinates' behavior.

The first controversy that sparked in the Capitol was the approval of Blackpearl Security Agency to detail security guards even if the contract was yet to be signed by the agency and Capitol officials. The axis of the controversy was former Board Member Orvi Ortega. Ortega could not have committed such act favoring Blackpearl if he is afraid to do it in deference to his boss, Davide.

The worse thing is that both Ortega and Madrigal are known to be Davide's closest friends.

R.A. 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical for Public Officials and Employees dictates that "it is the policy of the state to promote high standard of ethics in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty... lead modest lives..." This is a reminder to everyone in public office. But this can be considered only a fad to the Provincial Capitol if the governor is not putting pressure on his subordinates. More so that the governor would not raise his iron hand over Madrigal and Ortega because they are his friends. But as governor, Davide is expected to enforce the law. 

The officials who are still in the service in the Capitol should be thankful that they have a straightforward governor who does not exercise his bragging rights about his performance in the province through the media. They should emulate him.

They should either shape up or ship out.