Formidable tandem: Catch crooks, halt corruption

By Reni M. Valenzuela

In view of the tricksy situations and uniquely tough, challenging times we are confronted with at this juncture of the nation’s history, since the Covid-19 pandemic, I think I am inclined or beginning to believe in women more than men as leaders of our nation.

When she opens her mouth, she exudes with sense and wit as she hits the button right, and on target, to deliver the message strongly and with depth and clarity. I am referring to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary and Malacañang spokesperson, Claire Castro.

She is a keen mouthpiece that does good adlibs. And she does more than parroting official communications, much less when she defends the chief executive from the attacks of his political enemies. She carries with her the load, heart and brain of each message that needs to reach everyone in and outside the country.

Ito po ang sinabi niya kailan lamang bilang tugon sa huling banat ni VP Sara kay BBM: “Ang tangi yatang alam niya ay sirain ang pangulo.” Wow, galing.

The Bible-believing Castro was not in my wild and wildest imagination among possible legal minds who could replace the former Justice Secretary and now newly appointed Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin Remulla, another worthy, electric appointee.

By the way, dear BBM, beware of appointing any “qualified” person with religious and political bias to any important position in the government for that would be catastrophe (again) to the entire Filipino people and nation, much less in the aspect of justice – not impartial justice, not self-serving, bogus “justice.” You know what I mean, Your Excellency, and you know the bloc/s I’m referring to.

Castro was out of my mind, yet while stuck in traffic yesterday, as soon as I heard on my car radio about her being considered or rumored as the next DOJ chief, something in my soul suddenly lit up, simultaneously with the flashing of green light in front of me – in agreement to the idea.

As a lady, tough-talking lawyer with a soul (and balls), Castro is believed and can be expected to bring to DOJ a kind of good, upright, courageous and strong leadership like (perhaps) no one of her predecessors has brought and done to the justice department – to carry on the job of rendering justice to our people and bringing to justice all the crooks, thieves, thugs and manslayers in government offices, police and military (and churches), especially among politicians – with dispatch, strength, equity and neutrality – and to ultimately jail them all till Kingdom come, regardless of religion, church affiliation, fraternity brotherhood, political allegiance, hypocrisy and “popularity.”

I believe Castro can make a man of action like no other men in the government – out of a woman. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” – Alice O’Connor (Ayn Rand).

Moreover, in another realm, we need a new, real good Secretary of Health. We, the people, demand that former undersecretary Rosario Vergeire be back in the Department of Health (DOH) to replace the one who booted her out three months ago as DOH undersecretary for no clear/valid/justifiable reason. “Why was Vergeire removed?” health advocates question.

As soon as Teodoro “Ted” Javier Herbosa assumed office as our Health Secretary in 2023, he immediately put OIC Secretary Vergeire to the sidelines and by the wayside. Tila ang nais ni Dr. Herbosa, sa simula pa lamang, ay siya lang (dapat) ang bida sa entablado ng “kalusugan” at seryeng pelikula na nais niyang isaplaka, ano man ang nakatagong istorya sa likod at baol ng ano mang istoryang iyon.

Honestly, it was a huge wonder to me why BBM did not appoint Vergeire as our full time DOH secretary, even while she was serving ably, untiringly, sacrificially, faithfully and dauntlessly as OIC of DOH for one year and as undersecretary before and during the entire Covid-19 pandemic period. She almost became the face of the country’s emergency healthcare in those difficult, scary times.

Why, oh why? The Filipino people need Vergeire back and Herbosa out. No second thoughts.

Dear everyone in the health sector, make your voice heard and heard louder, and louder, and louder, until things are made right in the Department of Health (DOH) for all of you and to make our people well and healthy, and cared for – especially the poor and marginalized.

Over the span of just 3 years with Herbosa at the helm of the health department, there have already been several controversies , allegations and innuendos that he got himself embroiled in — such as the unauthorized distribution of psychiatric drugs worth P44.6 million which undermines procurement rules and proper health allocation protocols.

Herbosa had allegedly secured cash advances to UNICEF worth P1.29 billion from February to July 2024 that remained unliquidated until now. His request for P524 million for vaccine procurement is perceived to be suspicious and thus was subjected to scrutiny.

Herbosa also posted a photo with executives from the tobacco industry during an event. Concerend observers say this violates memorandum circular (CSC-DOH JMC 2010-01) that restricts interactions between government officials and the tobacco industry. All these and more raised questions about Herbosa’s integrity and capability to manage and help our people’s physical well-being and the government’s healthcare services.

Additionally, it was reported too (among others) that around 600 health centers under the HFEP exist, but only 200 are actually operational. Some of these centers were even worried to be just “ghosts.”

In the eyes of professionals and workers in the medical field and health sector, Herbosa looks as though he’s serving the health and wellbeing of whatever he has up his sleeves, those that many see and discern he cuddles and nurtures just in himself, by himself and for himself as DOH head.

I’m sorry, sir Ted, we don’t personally know each other, neither do I personally know Rosario Vergeire. Hence, there’s nothing personal about all these that I’ve written herein. I simply have to say and write what I am compelled to say and write, under the compulsion, empowerment and leading of the Holy Spirit, without fear or favor – for the good and betterment of all Filipinos.

Dear countrymen, we need the meek and humble, hardworking Dr. Vergeire BACK – this time as our full pledged secretary of health, as much as we all would (definitely) be better served with Herbosa relegated to the sidelines and by the wayside.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12

Finally, back to Remulla and Castro: With the two officials as the Ombudsman and Secretary of Justice respectively, they could make a formidable tandem that may jolt (like an earthquake) all the corrupt and criminal-minded in and outside the government to beat corruption, crookedness and ruthlessness, with resolve and steadfastness – and with a magnitude (perhaps) not far from that of “The Big One.”

Email: renimvalenzuela@yahoo.com