CBCP asks Lacson to name uncooperative Cabinet execs

By: Tina G. Santos - 11 years ago

Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Name names.

This was the challenge of a Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to Panfilo Lacson, the presidential assistant on post-calamity rehabilitation, who claimed that some Cabinet members have been uncooperative in reconstruction efforts for areas hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) six months ago.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa), said in an interview with reporters, that Lacson should not engage in blind items and must instead make public the names of two “deadma” Cabinet secretaries. The Filipino term applies to people feigning lack of awareness, nonchalance or apathy to a person, situation or issue.

“He (Lacson) should name names. Do not just make accusations. He should name them so that the problem can be resolved,” Gariguez said.

He said the government officials should put their act together to be efficient in delivering services to the people.

“We need to do away with politicking, grandstanding or credit grabbing,” he added, stressing that the government should prioritize public service above all else.

“Their driving motivation should be to serve those who are in need,” said Gariguez.

Lacson earlier expressed frustration over the government’s rehabilitation efforts, but maintained that it remained right on track six months after Yolanda devastated Eastern Visayas.

He said part of his frustration has been triggered by two Cabinet secretaries who have not been cooperating with his office and would not even respond to official communications, resulting in delays in rehabilitation efforts in Yolanda-hit areas.

The former senator was enlisted by President Aquino last December to oversee government recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the disaster zone.