Damn if you do, damn if you don't!
I guess this is what I am going through right now.
As I seriously move fast to address issues and problems in agriculture and fisheries in the country and in finding solutions to the problems and poverty in the countryside, some people are starting to suspect that I am harbouring political ambitions and agenda.
"My next President!," "My Vice President" and "Future Senator" are among the comments I read in reaction to my Facebook posts on what I have been doing as Secretary of Agriculture.
I find these comments disturbing and I decided to address these issues once and for all.
I must admit that some people have openly suggested to me that I consider a Senate seat in 2022.
But let me set everything straight.
No, I have no political agenda. I have no ambitions to vie for a national political position.
I have personally told President Rody Duterte months ago that I will retire from government service at the end of his term in 2022.
So, why am I working hard and moving fast as Secretary of Agriculture?
It is because I was given a task or a mission if people would call it as such. I am passionate about the things that I am assigned to do.
Those who have worked with me are familiar with my working habits as a public official. I really do things fast. In fact, I must admit that I even cut corners sometimes.
When I was Governor, I packed a tent in my pick-up truck and I spent nights in remote villages just talking to people.
These rural sojourns gave me the opportunity to assess situations up close and helped me find appropriate and effective interventions.
Those who expressed amazement at the speed with which I do things and implement programs are even in for bigger surprises.
I'm just warming up. You have to understand that the budget and programs I am implementing now were crafted by the previous officials of the DA.
Even the 2017 Budget and Programs are results of the planning of the former DA leaders.
When the budgeting for 2018 comes along sometime early next year, I will already be able to lay down the programs and projects which would be reflective of the directions for agriculture and fisheries as set by President Duterte.
These programs and projects would be more focused on Food Production, Poverty Alleviation and greater contribution by the agriculture and fisheries sectors to national growth.
So, let me again set things straight:
I have NO political agenda and I am appealing to people to stop suggesting that I should consider higher political positions. That is not in my Bucket List.
I WORK HARD AND I DO THINGS FAST BECAUSE I LOVE WHAT I AM DOING AND BECAUSE I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
Please allow me to do my job and work hard without being suspected of harbouring a political agenda.
Suggesting that I do things the way they are done - fast and quick - because I have political ambitions would be very unfair to me and it would affect my work.
Remember that the political arena is a dog-eats-dog territory.
There are those who crave for very high political positions and I will be placed in the crosshair of political character assassination if they feel that I would be a threat.
Ibigay na natin ang pulitika sa kanila.
Happiness is not about power or lofty positions.
Happiness is all about being able to do what you love to do and of realising your dreams.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
