IT is quite interesting to note how Mr. Alfred Pangelinan’s response tries to divert the public’s attention from the actual problems exposed about the Division of Employment Services to a completely different subject altogether. This, however, is the typical approach often used by individuals who run from problems rather than explore solutions. And the only way to divert attention from one’s self-imposed guilt is to discuss other issues totally unrelated to the one in question.
A good example is this. While I provided information which I believed to be beneficial to our residents about DES regarding resident referrals and mandated provisions of the law, Mr. Pangelinan tries to reflect on what causes jobseekers to fail when searching for jobs. Most importantly, he talks about how one should not be negative about another, yet does not realize his negativity himself. This, however, is Mr. Pangelinan’s way of covering up a lie. Just tell another lie. Does he honestly believe that we are all subject to ignorance and narrow-mindedness? Does he not realize that resident jobseekers have every right as taxpayers to express and demand that DES accomplishes its responsibilities as mandated by the law and fix a problem when a problem exists, instead of running away from it and blaming others?
Chapter 4, Article 2, 4421, paragraphs a & b of the Non-Resident Workers Act describe specific duties and responsibilities required of Mr. Pangelinan as director. If he can’t accomplish what the law mandates, then another more competent and dedicated director should be appointed to replace him.
Furthermore, instead of evaluating the problem expressed by a tax-paying citizen, and making recommendation to alleviate the problem, he instead chooses to criticize and make recommendations on how to acquire jobs, which by the way, he more likely extracted directly out of a résumé writing course.
We all acknowledge that being negative is not very healthy in everyday life. But it is also just as true that for every “inaction” there is a “reaction.” Therefore Mr. Pangelinan, if you believe that I am being very negative in my letters and would like to see a change then Regulate, Control and Enforce as the law mandates. Resolve the problem of discrimination currently being experienced by our residents within the private sector employment areas. Improve the unemployment rate of our residents. And most importantly, accomplish those commitments you’ve been advertising about since last year about assisting our people in employment. Do this with unequivocal honesty, sincerity and because it’s the right thing to do. When this is accomplished, you won’t have to worry about negativity.
In closing, you can attempt continuously to divert the public attention from the real issue, Mr. Pangelinan. You can continue to run and hide from the problem that currently faces you. You can continue to place blame on jobseekers. Matter of fact, you can continue to do anything or attempt anything to make yourself look good and free from guilt. But the bottom-line truth is this. You just aren’t man enough, professional enough, nor are you sincere enough to face up to transparency and accountability as a director. But then again as I stated in my previous letter, you acquired your prestigious position not by true qualification nor competitiveness, but rather through the concept of “WHO YOU KNOW” rather than “WHAT YOU KNOW.”
JACK TERLAJE QUITUGUA
Garapan, Saipan
