PRIMER ON THE OUST GORDON MOVEMENT
Why do we want to oust Gordon?
The Whole World is witness to our peaceful revolutions EDSA 1 & EDSA 2. These people power revolutions inculcated in us vigilance against corrupt officials as well as optimism in having a government founded on moral standards, ideals and competence. We, the officials & employees of the Department of Tourism, and the members of the Department of Tourism Employees Association find the present secretary not suited to lead the tourism industry for the following reasons:
- 1. That Gordon was found
guilty as charged for grave misconduct, dishonesty, gross incompetence
and violation of the laws, rules and regulations in the operations of Subic
Bay Metropolitan Authority on 15 April 1998 by the Presidential Commission
Against Graft and Corruption chaired by
Eufemio Domingo.- 2. That Gordon has pending cases before the Office of the Ombudsman filed by Gualberto Dela Llana and Antonio Mendoza.
- 3. That Gordon's history as Mayor of Olongapo is one during which he promoted and permitted the expansion of the sex industry that specialized in gratifying bizarre and perverted sexual impulses of tourists. The human rights of Women and children were gravely violated. The image of the Filipina was reduced to one of the readily available prostitute. It insults the dignity of every Filipino.
- 4. That Gordon is very much against unionism. Not satisfied in belittling our union president by uttering disparaging remarks on one's nickname and position in the Department, he disapproved Mr. Maravilia's attendance to the third module of the seminar conducted by the Confederation of Independent Union (CIU) free of charge, on official time. Even our freedom of expression is not recognized by Mr. Gordon &'his cohorts.
- 5. That Gordon manipulated the Media in spreading blatant lies & misinformation. He keeps on saying that the reason for our protests is our unwillingness to pick up litter and that we refuse to dialogue with him. He says he comes to work as early as 5:30 a.m. and leave at 7:30 p.m. which is not true because he is always out of the country even if he has no clear cut agenda on the promotion of tourism in the Philippines.
- 6. That Gordon, through his words and deeds, has incessantly shown disregard and disrespect not only to the civil servants in the Department but to the institution of tourism itself.
Did you have any similar incident with previous Secretaries?
The DOTEA's call for Gordon's resignation is the first ever protest in the Department. The Department of Tourism is not a place for politicians who are wont to grandstanding. What the agency needs is a person who has no hidden agenda for personal aggrandizement.
In the short stint of former Secretary Araneta, we staged two-noise barrage in protest of giving us the clothing allowance in kind instead of cash as done in the past. Yet in spite of this we were able to work hand in hand after the protest. Unlike Mr. Gordon, she opted to open communication lines with employees.
Why are we asking Gordon to resign only now, when his shortcomings were already known upon his appointment?
Last 12 February 2001, Richard Gordon was appointed Secretary of Tourism. We looked up to him as one who could move us with renewed vigor to achieve our goal of making the Philippines as one of the world's top tourism destinations.
In his first appearance during our flag ceremony, Mr. Gordon instinctively exhibited his offensive management style. Immediately, we requested for a courtesy call as a "get to know you" occasion. After three weeks, we managed to get to see him ' Unfortunately, it turned out to be a sour meeting. You can only talk to him for as long as you agree with everything he says.
It was agreed during the General Assembly after the Courtesy Call that come Monday everyone was enjoined to wear black armband. We protest his arrogant / dictatorial style of management. He instructed one of his volunteers, Oscar Palabyab, (now Undersecretary of TSRO) to listen to our sentiments. We told his emissary that we do not see in him the values of Courtesy, Honesty and Efficiency. We tried to work out solutions. Only to find out that our efforts were useless as Gordon started lambasting us both in foreign and local media for being lazy and spoiled brats - a complete turn around to what has transpired during the dialogue.
In our desire to fully understand the man, we tried to unearth & discover root causes that stemmed from the historical experience of this person who became our Secretary. Surprisingly, the truth unfolds before us. He does not possess both highest moral standard and untarnished reputation announced by GMA when she assumed office. Mr. Gordon's PR Man succeeded in projecting him as a paragon of virtue and a great leader. Indeed he is the master of media manipulation having the money to pay for this purpose.
Even his so-called volunteers are waiting for choice items and vacant positions in the department.
If Gordon resigns, whom would you endorse to the Search Committee?
Towards the end of January 2001, we wrote a letter addressed to the Honorable Patricia Santo Tomas, chairperson of the Search Committee. DOTEA submitted names of incumbent officials belonging to the DOT family and two former secretaries of the Department.
If Gordon resigns, will his successor be any better?
We do not know. With the main cause of the revolt removed, we can look to better times for our country and our people. Second, the position of Secretary of Tourism will be spared from ambitious, "motor mouth", and grandstanding politician bent on inflicting vengeance to whoever opposes his will. If ex-President Estrada should be jailed for plunder, then, why should the present Secretary of Tourism found guilty as charged be allowed to roam around the country and abroad? Did President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo know that she appointed a corrupt cabinet member who is not a Filipino?
What happens if Gordon does not resign?
DOTEA will exhaust all means and resources to give justice a chance to prevail against corrupt politicians. Gordon must answer for all the blatant lies he has uttered before the members of the Commission on Appointment.
What if Gordon calls for a dialogue, are you willing to meet him half-way?
It was Gordon himself who repeatedly said NO! As one reporter writes, "It is out of character for Dick to bend over backward and make conciliatory gestures toward his detractors". The word dialogue has different meaning to Dick Gordon just like the word volunteer. He would use these words to suit his personal whims. And so it is a misnomer. Just like what he told DOTEA officers during a meeting: "Don't teach me what to do! Don't tell me what to do!!! He can never let anyone offer suggestions much more listen and follow one.
We have read in some newspapers similar comments on Gordon. The only way to have a lengthy conversation with him is for the other person to agree with everything he says. One writer believes that it also helps to heap praises on him every few seconds. Then there is no dialogue. It is only a monologue.
During our first day of protest, we were called to a meeting by Gordon. However, he instructed one of his volunteers to listen to our sentiments. To our disappointment, he told the media on the same day that we refused to talk to him. ABS-CBN arranged an interview with Mr. Gordon, while he was in Davao, and a phone patch with DOTEA officials. When everything was set and the crew told DOTEA officials that they will be cued in after the commercial break, they were told that Gordon cannot be located. Who's bluffing? Who's telling the truth? Is this the actuation of a person who has nothing to hide and wants a dialogue?
We are cognizant of the fact that two big TV stations edited and deleted issues that would hurt the present DOT administration. Where is freedom of expression and fairness? Even people behind leading dailies would harass any reporter who would speak out against Gordon or write about interviews with any of our officials. We deeply condemn journalists who betray public trust, just because the lowly DOT employees cannot pay for any media slot.
Gordon once said that dialogue and reports could be done during flag raising. We have never seen Mr. Gordon in a flag ceremony since 12 March 2001, not that we miss him but so be it.
Are we not pronouncing Gordon as guilty without due process?
Gordon was found guilty as charged by the Chairman of the Presidential Commission against Graft and Corruption. What better proof are we looking for? At present there are thirteen cases filed against him at the office of the Ombudsman.
To what extent can a public servant participate in rallies?
Rallies are ways of expressing sentiments of the people, which is their right. It is also a good way for us to ascertain the extent and depth and strength of participation of members behind the Oust Gordon Movement.
Just as government employees have every right to join any association, so he or she may join the peaceful rally decided upon by members during the general assembly.
The right to peacefully assemble and air grievances by government employees is respected by all. As public servants, we are discouraged to hold strike during office hours. At most they can assemble peacefully or stage rally during breaks only and after office hours. Should they join any rally either inside or outside their place of work, employees are asked to file leave of absence one-week prior said activity. Even if Metro Manila was in the State of Rebellion, this constitutional right was never curtailed.
The hanging of banners and streamers is allowed by the Civil Service Commission as a way of airing the employees' grievance.
IS DOTEA one in its position on the present Issue?
Yes. OUST GORDON!
Does Gordon have a concrete plan, program or project for the Department of Tourism?
Mr. Gordon has done despised the past secretaries for having done nothing to the Tourism industry for the past thirty-two years. He pictures himself as the Messiah of Tourism industry due to his seeming media protection of accomplishments. But until now he has no definite plans and program of action except media releases and grandstanding as a political kingpin of Olongapo.
What about his achievements as former Mayor of Olongapo?
Gordon tries to paint a picturesque Olongapo at the expense of many Olongapeno specially women and children that were handed over to Americans in support of Gordon's Sex Tourism and entertainment. Such is the shining example of a city under the mighty hands of one of Lucifer's Generals.
Does he deserve conversion of the former naval base to a booming free port?
Many people are made to believe that it was Gordon who made a miracle in Subic. Thanks to media personalities who enjoyed red carpet treatment from Gordon. They projected him as the person behind SBMA.
The truth is, as early as 1986, Jeff Dumas, a professor from the University of Texas, was invited to study the bases conversion plan. He was assisted by Mr. Conrad Tiu and Mr. Alex Corpus Hermoso of PREDA. They conceptualized the SBMA. They coordinated their plans with then Executive Secretary Mr. Joker Arroyo.
During the Aquino government, Gordon accepted an appointment from Ramos to chair the SBMA. At that time he was still mayor of Olongapo. The Supreme Court ruled that Gordon must choose between being mayor and chairman. He chose the latter. The first thing he did was to strip off credit from the very people behind the conceptualization of SBMA. He even banned them from entering the port.
Several groups and media practitioners credited the success of Subic to Gordon. Little do they know that Gordon grabbed the credit from the people earlier mentioned.
What is our discernment about the current crisis in DOT?
There are three (3) levels to this crisis.
The first is political. Gordon is not really a Filipino citizen. This is a serious case for someone occupying sensitive position in government. Another is the issue of good governance, about the competence of Gordon as Secretary of Tourism. Clearly he is not. He is not competent for the position. He is likened to a newly recruited sales agent doing cheap sales talk. A "motormouth" trying to project efficiency only in papers. He will not sell any of his wares for reason that he refused to know and work with people in the company.
The second level is economic. Aside from cases of Malversation of Public Funds, Gordon's COA disallowance to date amounts to almost a billion pesos. In DOT, his foreign trips reached P306,000 for hotel, daily allowance without any liquidation report.
The third level is moral. Gordon is responsible for all the atrocities he committed in Olongapo & Subic; the grave human rights violation re: Dr. Reino Rosete; etc. Pres. Arroyo called for leadership by example. He should be brought to justice and not given any position in government.
We repeat: DOT does not deserve a recycled corrupt official. We want a leader with moral values because tourism showcases our country to the outside world.
