Several senators on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Commission on Appointment’s (CA) rejection of Judy Taguiwalo as a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary, who could have been a “breath of fresh air” in the agency.
In his speech at plenary, Senator Ralph Recto expressed his support for Taguiwalo, saying that she should not be dismissed as one of the “token leftists” in the Cabinet but should be remembered of her proven track record in public service even before she joined the government.
“We can never ask for a package as complete as her. She had been serving DSWD’s clientele long before Digong thought of running for mayor,” Recto said.
“She’s not there to represent one color in Digong’s rainbow Cabinet. She’s there to serve all the colors of the tapestry of our democracy. She represents all of us, all our dreams, all our aspirations for our nation, our people and our children,” he added.
The senator said Taguiwalo brought a “fresh perspective” in the DSWD, which was not treating poverty’s symptoms but its roots.
Senator Loren Legarda, who also voted for Taguiwalo’s confirmation, said the outgoing secretary was a “no-nonsense” and hardworking government worker.
“She is a hardworking person with integrity and I had hoped we could have her in the Cabinet because, as Senator Recto said, she’s a breath of fresh air in the Cabinet,” Legarda said.
Legarda said Taguiwalo tried to straighten the process of implementing DSWD’s many programs.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, on the other hand, said that this was the first time that DSWD was led by a nonpartisan or politician secretary.
“The only thing in her heart was to help the poor. I truly believe that she had the formula that could help us get rid of poverty in the countryside, because of this, I vote for her confirmation,” Zubiri said.
Senator Sonny Angara, for his part, said that he saw Taguiwalo’s ability and integrity when they worked together as members of the University of the Philippines’ Board of Regents from 2010 to 2013.
“At nakita ko po roon ang kanyang kakayahan, ang kanyang integridad at higit sa lahat, siguro, yung kanyang puso para sa mahihirap. At iyon talaga ang natatangi niyang kwalipikasyon para umupo bilang Secretary ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (I saw then her ability, integrity, and most of all, her heart for the poor. That is her sole qualification as DSWD secretary),” Angara said.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, reinforced the Liberal Party’s support for the outgoing secretary.
“We would like to manifest that all four of us in favor of the confirmation of Secretary Taguiwalo,” Pangilinan said, referring to LP members in the CA, Senators Recto, Frank Drilon, and Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV.
Aquino, in a statement, said it was “unfortunate” that Taguiwalo did not have enough votes for her confirmation.
“Her replacement will have major challenges ahead, like sustaining the success of the 4Ps program and ramping up its implementation,” he said.