A copy of a letter from House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, sent to Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, has made the rounds of social media.
In the letter, Alvarez endorsed the appointment of one Sandy Sacluti as Customs Operations Officer V at the Formal Entry Division of the Port of Manila. He highlighted Sacluti’s masters’ degree in customs administration, his 15-year experience in the commission and his exemplary performance in exceeding the collection target for January 2017.
Alvarez did not only recommend the appointment; he “strongly recommended” it. As a parting line, he told Faeldon: “Your favorable action on this matter would be highly appreciated.”
We now know that the request had not been favorably acted upon, and that the head of Faeldon’s Customs staff did not take too well to being pressured by an emissary of Alvarez. She called him “imbecile” on social media.
We trust they could sort their bickering and name-calling themselves, but the incident reminds us how commonplace the practice is in public service—even the fourth highest official of the land, a seasoned politician, does not believe he was doing anything out of the ordinary.
Referrals do serve a purpose. They are used even by hiring officers of companies to vet the qualifications and background of an employee. It makes sense for an organization to rely on the word of a third party to establish if an individual is fit for the role he or she is aiming for.
Unfortunately in the Philippines, endorsement has become a currency of power.
Many employees are hired, transferred or fired on account of their affiliation with prominent officials. It does not necessarily mean that that candidates are dumb; it just highlights that they have an edge over their competitors.
The practice becomes dangerous because it opens up opportunities for payback. How can you say no to the person who was responsible for putting you where you are, to begin with?
It’s culture, all right. Filipinos are big on relationships and gratefulness. Those in powerful positions revel at their opportunity to do somebody a favor—perhaps it boosts their sense of importance. When the endorsement is rejected, even for sound reason, they take it as a personal affront. It’s ego, first and foremost.
It rankles, and just because it is common practice does not been we have to accept it. We should aim, instead, for a culture of merit. It will be a long, uphill battle, but it is the only way patronage—and all the ills that come with it—can be defeated.