Former Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Victor Fernandez expressed support for recently-resigned Department of Information and Communication Technology Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, whom he described as a “big loss to the public sector”.
Fernandez, chairman of the Sigma Rho Council, a University of the Philippines-based fraternity, said Salazar’s exit from the government service “means there will be one man of talent and integrity less in the ranks of our public servants”.
Salazar was undersecretary for policy and legal affairs of the DICT until his resignation on Nov. 30. He is a member of the Sigma Rho. In his irrevocable letter of resignation submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Salazar cited the need of his spouse for his presence in the face of the latter’s health condition.
“I saw him transform from a young lawyer in the late 1990s to become one of the most respected and influential pillars of the legal profession in our country,” Fernandez said.
“He is a remarkable conciliator and a stand-out consensus builder, a role he fulfilled in domestic and international affairs and in whatever sector or organization he is called to serve,” Fernandez said.
The former Deputy Ombudsman also underscored the respect that Salazar earned while in government service. He said Salazar “has represented our government impressively in the international arena, particularly during his stint as head of the country’s Task Force against Human Trafficking.
“What impressed me about him are not just his talents and skills that he brings to the public service roles he was given,” Fernandez said. “Since I am an anti-graft crusader and advocate, I am very particular about the sense of accountability and integrity of government officials”.
“When it comes to the integrity of character, I say he passes that test with flying colors and I will vouch for him anytime,” Fernandez said.
The former Deputy Ombudsman also lamented innuendoes and insinuations against Salazar, saying “the accusations against him have not been subjected to the strict standards of due process by our judicial system”.
“I noted that, in fact, a good number of those accusations have already been dismissed by the Court,” he said.
Fernandez said he wishes Salazar “all the best as he returns to the private sector”.
“I hope he continues to use his special gifts for conciliation and consensus-building even as he leaves government service, which I hope is temporary,” Fernandez said.