Senator De Lima urges PMDP SEC Batch 5 to ‘have a heart for public service’ (July 8, 2016)

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Senator Leila M. de Lima urged the fifth batch of the Senior Executives Class of the Public Management Development Program to have a heart for public service as she stressed the importance of serving the people whose interest should be at the top of the government’s list of priorities.

Serving as keynote speaker at the welcome event for Batch 5 of the class last June 20 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Center in Tagaytay City, De Lima said it was an honor to be invited to a “momentous event of personal learning, career advancement and professional development.  As I was watching the presentation of the modules and pool of faculty, I tell you, this is one tough class.

Senator Leila M. de Lima delivers a powerful message before 21 scholars of the PMDP Senior Executives Class Batch 5 during the opening ceremony for the class on June 20, 2016 at DAP Tagaytay. (Liz Ranola)
Senator Leila M. de Lima delivers a powerful message before 21 scholars of the PMDP Senior Executives Class Batch 5 during the opening ceremony for the class on June 20, 2016 at DAP Tagaytay. (Liz Ranola)

“We in public service cannot continue in our job treating it merely as a career,” De Lima said.  “We cannot simply linger and spend our lives working in government without putting our heart into public service, without loving the people we serve, and without being sincere in the belief that we are here because we want this country and its people to be free from poverty, ignorance, and economic dependency.”

Heart and dedication

Advising the new breed of government leaders in the bureaucracy, the former Justice Secretary also pointed out that they should not have only the intelligence and capability for public service, but also the heart and dedication to change the face of government and society for the benefit of the less privileged among the Filipino  people.  “I wish all participants of the SEC to have strength and perseverance as you engage in another process of learning and discovery,” De Lima continued.

De Lima, who was known for her firm stance on democracy and perspective in governance especially in the field of human rights and justice, also expressed her opinion on the upcoming administration.  She encouraged the PMDP scholars to continue to work towards building a democracy that will survive the most radical changes in the country’s political life with heart, courage and conviction.

Members of the SEC Batch 5 are shown here with Senator Leila de Lima (in maroon, center), NEDA Director General Emmanuel Esguerra, DAP SVP for Programs Dedeng Mendoza, PMDP Director Nanette Caparros, and PMDP faculty and staff. (Liz Ranola)
Members of the SEC Batch 5 are shown here with Senator Leila de Lima (in maroon, center), NEDA Director General Emmanuel Esguerra, DAP SVP for Programs Dedeng Mendoza, PMDP Director Nanette Caparros, and PMDP faculty and staff. (Liz Ranola)

“May we see the opportunity in this challenge.  As long as our hearts remain faithful in the service to the people, I am confident that we will rise up to the challenge as public servants regardless of who sits there in the Palace.  After all, the people are still our masters,” she concluded.

Inspired by the SEC Batch 4 Alab-Lahi whose name depicts the significance of both past and modern-day heroes, SEC Batch 5, through class representative Louie Alferez, willingly accepts the challenge of continuing the PMDP’s commitment to produce better public managers in the government. (Liz Ranola)
Inspired by the SEC Batch 4 Alab-Lahi whose name depicts the significance of both past and modern-day heroes, SEC Batch 5, through class representative Louie Alferez, willingly accepts the challenge of continuing the PMDP’s commitment to produce better public managers in the government. (Liz Ranola) 

Batch 5 meets predecessors

Meanwhile, as part of the PMDP’s way of welcoming the new batch of scholars, the program’s alumni representing SEC Batch 4 Alab-Lahi, spearheaded the passing of the so-called Tradition of Excellence to the SEC Batch 5 during the opening ceremony.  The Batch 4 alumni were led by its class president, Irene R. Resurreccion of the Department of Justice.

This traditional turnover symbolizes program scholars’ commitment to becoming the best versions of themselves as transformative leaders and strategic managers.

Also present in this special PMDP event were Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director  General Emmanuel Esguerra, DAP Senior Vice President for Programs Magdalena Mendoza, PMDP Director Nanette Caparros, SEC Batch 5 session director Ramonesa Ricardo, and PMDP faculty, alumni, current scholars as well as other guests.