As I was concerned with DBM Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, who had a reputation of being a good and honest civil servant, when he was charged on the Malampaya Fund controversy, I am also worried about Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan. I have known Jerry since he was 19 or 20 years old when he was a student of Xavier University in 1981 when I taught philosophy there. I dont recall teaching Jerry but I became close to him when he joined the student Catholic organization XRISTKA which I moderated. Through the years, in the many ups and downs of our lives, in both painful and happy moments, we kept in touch and supported each other. Because of this long association, I know for sure that Jerry, who until this government stint has worked with sustainable agriculture organizations for decades, is an honest and exemplary public servant. Cokitted to the poor and farmers, his only motivation in working at DAR is to make a difference. When he decided to join government in 2010, I warned him of the sacrifices public service entailed and promised him I will be at his side whatever happened. And so, on this issue he is now facing, I stand by Undersecretary Pacturan.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:32:11 +0000
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