Hern P. Zenarosa
I got in my e-mail the other day a long letter protesting the allegations by another letter writer which appeared in this space sometime ago, against the appointment of the chairman of the Commission on Audit for being an "undisguised protégé" of the President.
For brevity, I am quoting the more pertinent portion of the letter:
"This is a reaction to your column, ‘At Issue,’ on an article ‘Undisguised Political Act?’ which was published in the Manila Bulletin on May 1, 2008. It is very surprising that your informant, allegedly a former government lawyer and who requested temporary anonymity, has no sufficient information about the newly appointed Chairman of the Commission on Audit (COA), Atty. Reynaldo A. Villar. This man, who is a former Floor Leader of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, has an untarnished record since he joined the government service, starting as a provincial Board Member of the province of Pangasinan and lately as a senior official of the COA. Chairman Villar devoted his prime years solely for the interest and the improvement of public service. Hence, his appointment by the President is not because the former is the alleged ‘undisguised protégé,’ but essentially because Atty. Villar has professional competence, sterling records of performance, and independent attitude and frame of mind.
"The information that ‘his new appointment as Chairman with a fixed term of seven years would allow him to serve for 11 years’ is totally without basis as the nomination of Atty. Villar to the Commission on Appointment clearly indicates that he will serve up to February 2011 only. Thus his served term of 4 years as a commissioner plus almost 3 years as a chairman of COA will allow him to serve for a total of 7 years only.
"I would be glad …if you will check these data personally if you wish, from the senior officials of COA who are knowledgeable of the background and fitness of Atty. Villar, and I am sure they will pronounce without doubt that Atty. Villar is a capable chairman of the COA.
"I am writing this reply to save a man who fittingly serves the public service with utmost dedication, competence and integrity above his personal aspiration.
"Hoping that you will give this humble reaction the same publicity you have extended to your anonymous informant.
"Thank you and God bless.
"Very truly,
"Victor Lorenzo A. Tato, Past President, Rotary Club of Makati Bonifacio, RI Dist. 3830"
Note: I wish to inform Mr. Tato that I have forwarded a copy of his letter, in toto, to my informant.
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