My apologies for missing to write my column last week. I must admit—all that Christmas frenzy rendered me inutile. But with Christmas over, as I write this, families now prepare to welcome

the New Year with a bang. The year 2012 is winding down and I find myself reminiscing how the days went by. I wish to thank the Manila Times management from boss Klink Ang down to my editor Rene Bas for providing me the opportunity to promote my advocacies and then some. It’s not always that you are given that break or venue to connect with the public.

DTI’s year-ender report is not done yet but I wish to congratulate the men and women who continuously dedicate their lives in the service of the Filipino people. It’s a thankless job but when you hear people say “Gosh, government should hire more people like you,” then you feel good and realize there is hope. Do good, be felt, make a difference is the motto we live by at the DTI as inspired by Secretary Greg Domingo. So news reports that he is resigning because of salary issues is unfair, to say the least. I hear one Cabinet official is leaving for health reasons and will be seeking medical help abroad. Now is that a more valid excuse?

When one enters government service, you cannot expect to get rich not unless you are a corrupt government official or employee. That is and should be the mindset. I am sure that if reports of his pending resignation are true, then it will not be related to money at all. Besides, all Cabinet officials serve at the pleasure of the President so they should and are prepared to go any time.

Well, Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio has gone ahead announcing his resignation during the TIPG Christmas party at the PTTC. His resignation takes effect January 16, 2013. He did intimate earlier on that there is life after government service. Indeed, there is. His stint with government albeit short-lived must be looked at as another chapter in the Book of Life. I will miss his humor, for sure. Come August, another DTI Undersecretary will go. But this time, by force of retirement.

We look forward with optimism what the 2013 brings. It is the only way to go.  Prosperity. Abundance. Good health. These are but a few of things we wish for year in and year out. 

Despite the devastation brought about by recent typhoons, we know that our brothers down south will bounce back. After all, we are known for our resilience and for being the happiest people on earth.  Our growth  targets have surpassed expectations. Again, do good, be felt, make a difference. Now we wait on how this growth will translate so our people can have a taste of it. Kung di kayo nararamdaman, di kayo effective. Ganun lang ka simple yun!

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