Eliminating Bureaucracy In The Philippines

The Philippine Cabinet Secretary with Abp Auza, etc.

I suffered in the hands of government servants in my journey overseas. Imagine I travelled from Manila to Bohol and back to secure my birth certificate which Manila Census denied they have it. So I crossed the oceans for days to go back to my hometown and traced where that piece of paper was and when I reached there, the record showed that it has long been sent to Manila.

Another days of travel by seas to reach Manila. I went directly to the National Statistics Office (Whatever that office is now), to tell them they have it. The arrogant servant raised his voice to convince me they don't have it. But he wasn't so good on his scheme at this point, because on the top of the piles in his desk was my name. I left him and barged in the office of his boss who stood up to find out he had it on his desk. The leech looked hungry as he constrict on his chair.

In college, when I passed all qualifying tests to become a police officer, I was third in ranking to be hired. Then came the night where female applicants must join the recruitment officials and I opted out, because I will not be sitting on the lap of anybody to get the job. The following morning, my name was gone. The female applicants who never run a dash for the agility tests got the job dancing with the guys at the previous night.

And then came my being a domestic helper who was caught in a messy life of someone who gave me a calling card so I could apply. She came and flash that favour on my face so I would save her from her financial woes. She gave me an employer so I could not get out of her claws. The problem was, that employer had the history of banging their previous DH's head on the wall.

My escape was aided by one friend. I left their house in the guise that I needed to follow up our contract which was processed by the Philippine Consulate's office in that country. The problem was, I cannot bring any luggage. I stashed my backpack with under wears and with a couple of thin tees but left all my  belongings worth so much to me which I acquired along the years.

The Consulate's office approves the contract and then sent to the Immigration for the working visa. I went and the lady at the front desk was tagged a Hitler. This woman is notable to be mean- spirited to OFWs. When my turned came, I was inquiring about my contract that I want cancelled. Instead of helping me, she ordered me to call the employer and apologize or she will not deal with my case. I said no.

I saw a desk inside across the room marked, "Vice- Consul" and the gate was half open. I get in breaching that door to reach the Vice-Consul who then listened to me. The Consulate staff who demanded I apologized was behind me but she can't do a thing anymore as the Vice-Consul was already engaging me questions then she ordered that Staff to find my contract.

The Vice-Consul studied it, "So this is not yet signed? Throw it in the garbage!" I thanked her before I left. The Consular Staff followed me and said, "You could have just told me..." I look at her and return the cruelty on her and left,  because I do not want to be handcuffed by Consular security.

Consular Staff, the smaller ones are the one's we met first hand. This is where corruption and arrogance happened. How many of me went to their office and ordered to beg and apologize to employers and the many disservice they've done?

That was then. This is now...a new era of public service.

My brief encounter with the Philippine Cabinet Secretary was very fruitful. His words about how the Duterte government put the interests of the Filipino people first, is like music to my ears. His pronouncements that "THEY" want to meet the Filipino community first when visiting a country is truly important. That way, they already have the pulse of the people which they then can discuss with their Consular people. This will also eliminate preferences by just meeting people that Consular Officials wanted the president to meet;  people and group that they know.

I did not leave my motherland to support my family at the onset. I left because I cannot stomach the system, the bureaucracy. You can see the trails of last presidential elections for Duterte and you will see how vigorous my online campaign was for him to win. He maybe like a retarded child sometimes but I know he is the one to uproot corruption and other cancerous cells in the country.

And here's the good part...the Duterte Administration will soon be launching 8888 where anyone can call to tell their grievances against the government including public servants who play gods in their offices. And here's something more promising, I am expected to call this number with a potential to directly connect with the president. Trust that when I do...it will be for the best interest of our community. I am also interested in that Participatory Group where we can submit recommendations for considerations by the Administration. A very, very good opportunity for Advocates to sit down and draft what maybe beneficial to the motherland.

CHANGE HAS COME.