FOUR vital agencies of the Philippine government are currently headless after three of the commissioners retired and the other one recently resigned.
This February, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. stepped out from his post. Francisco Duque III also retired as chief of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Following their footsteps is Grace Pulido-Tan who was the head of the Commission on Audit (COA).
Amid controversies involving police forces, President Benigno Aquino III announced that he has accepted the resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima.
Malacañang said that it is taking its time in choosing worthy replacements for the outgoing officials. This, however, threatens disarray in the government.
For Comelec, 2015 is a critical period as the agency is supposed to prepare for the upcoming 2016 elections. The procurement of automated machines for the elections has also been an issue recently. A reliable incoming Comelec chair would be welcomed with loads of work and a country aching for a clean election.
Hitting the headlines through controversial audit reports, the next COA chair has big shoes to fill. COA, through Tan, has been an integral part of the Disbursement Acceleration Program and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) hearings. Malpractice of agencies and politicians were uncovered. Without any biases, finding a replacement for Tan should be scrutinized under a microscope.
Civil Service Commission through its chair Francsico Duque III has been noted for its strict implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act, preventing graft and corruption. Now that the public has been aware of the dirty practices of politicians, a replacement for Duque must have an iron hand to continue what has been done and improvise more ways to fulfill the duties of the commission.
Though criticized for his alleged misdeclaration of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2013, President Aquino has been firm that the PNP general has been truthful in serving his duty. His mistakes in the past may be clouding up the great deeds that he has accomplished.
For an institution like the PNP, a leader is substantial in proceeding with its operations. An officer-in-charge (OIC) maybe present, but it must be noted that the OIC’s powers have limits.
Appointing a new leader must be thoroughly screened, in the shortest possible time. With the vacancies among the leadership, the government is dysfunctional.
(AJPress)
