A tribute to Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas

Many years ago, Patricia Sto. Tomas entered government service in response to a want ad that the labor department put out on the instructions of then Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople. He was on a personal quest for the best and the brightest to join the department. This recruitment effort was instigated, guided and executed by him, because he saw government service as in dire need of an infusion of new ideas, youthful dynamism, idealism, and competence.

Even during those days, Pat stood out for her incisive comments, can-do attitude, and excellent writing skills. It was the latter that drew her close to my father, who would sometimes assign major speeches for her to ghostwrite. Through the years, Ka Blas recognized Pat as a highly capable administrator and innovator. She rose gracefully from the ranks and was designated as administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration where she served with aplomb. It was through people like Pat, former labor secretary Benny Laguesma, dependable career officials like current Undersecretaries Danny Cruz and Manny Imson, Marianito Roque, now of OWWA, former ambassador to Iraq Boy Parungao, Willie Villarama, Kiko Estrella, Ruben Torres, Nieves Confesor, Chito Brillantes, incoming Labor Secretary Art Brion, and so, so many others that the labor department grew in stature and accomplishments even beyond the tutelage and lifetime of Ka Blas.

It was a privilege for this blogger to have worked, albeit briefly, under Sec Pat, in the DOLE as Undersecretary for Special Concerns. This was my first appointment right after my father’s death. It was a homecoming for me — to be in the department that my father loved and worked almost his whole lifetime for. Sec Pat was herself an excellent mentor. She gave me broad strokes on her ideas for a reintegration program for overseas Filipino workers. This program is now under the care of OWWA, and includes partnerships with the private sector. In our earlier talks, Sec Pat had a marvellous idea, which I hope Secretary Brion will execute, of a fly-now, pay-later program under OWWA that would allow children or spouses of OFWs to pay discounted plane tickets on an installment basis so that they could plan their vacations in tandem with the OFW’s vacation leaves. She said this would enable members of the family to better understand the sacrifices of their OFW-parent or sibling while exposing these dependents to different cultures and environments.

The Secretary is a stickler for hard work and integrity. She is not one to suffer fools gladly. But she is quick to praise and recognize diligence and competence among her subordinates. For example, she is quite happy with how Administrator Marianito Roque runs the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She also appreciates innovative ideas whether coming from within the department or its partners.

Unlike most people, I never thought the Secretary’s decision to cut loose from DOLE as politically-driven or out of personal pique. Even when my father was alive, Pat would pour out her frustrations and yearnings to him and basically they were as written about in her resignation statements. Sec Pat would like to enjoy motherhood and have more time to travel with her immediate family. Heading the labor department is a tough job which requires long hours, near infinite patience, and a common touch. It is draining to attend to the problems of workers in and out of the country on a 24/7 basis. It is stressful to promote the spirit of tripartism especially when both labor and management are hurting from these difficult times. Despite all these daily battles, the labor secretary we all come to know as Sec Pat, came out with her reputation unscathe, with a full record of accomplishments, and national recognition for a job well done.

As chair of the Development Bank of the Philippines, Sec Pat will recede into the boardroom, with her books and her journals, still thinking about public service, but now on her own terms, and in her own sweet time. Well done, Sec Pat!