FVR's ‘complete staff work’ became my way of doing things —Salceda

If there’s one thing he learned from former President Ferdinand V. Ramos, Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said it was his unique leadership style.

In an episode of The Howie Severino Podcast, Salceda said Ramos’ practice of  complete staff work (CSW) influenced him in fulfilling his duties as a public servant.

“Sa konteksto niyan, ibig sabihin kung mayroon siyang makita, halimbawa, sa isang peryodiko na isa pong isyu, so ia-assign sayo, ‘Gawin mo 'to. At ibigay mo 'yung full rundown at saka hindi ka... no bullshitting around,” he told veteran journalist Howie Severino.

(For context, if FVR sees an issue from the newspapers, he would assign that to you. He’ll say ‘do this'. You will give him a full rundown and you cannot…no bullshitting around.”

“You have to have a conclusion and policy options, and recommendations. Basically, you have to deal with the decision-maker, and essentially, that somebody who has to make a decision, she has to give me full information. At the same time, hindi naman yung itatapon mo sa kanya lahat, information overload tapos pagdating sa dulo wala kang recommendation,” he added.

“Very important sa CSW that there should be conclusion, kung ano ba ito. Pangalawa, ano mga pwedeng gawin at pangatlo, ito ang pinakamagaling na gawin,” he added.

(It’s very important in CSW that there should be a conclusion. Second, state what we can do, and third, what’s the best plan of action.)

Ramos passed away on July 31 at the age of 94. He was buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani on August 9 and was accorded a state funeral with full military honors.

In mourning his passing, Salceda called Ramos his “mentor and model."

“The former President helped birth my career in public service. During the peak of my career in the private sector as an analyst, President Ramos would consult me on matters of national concern. That was when I became convinced that I could serve the country in a greater way. Just as he was leaving office, I ran for Congressman in Albay,” Salceda previously said.

“FVR is also family to me. He, together with Sen. Letty Shahani, considers our Sarte clan as a family because one of my uncles married his first cousin, Angelita Lizardo. So, he always felt at home seeking my advice visiting our hometown Polangui several times,” he added.

The 12th Philippine President, Ramos served from 1992 to P1998. Among the notable milestones of his administration is the privatization of water utilities in the National Capital Region and the building of power plants to address the power crisis at the time.

It was also under his term the Philippine government signed its final peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996, for which Ramos was awarded UNESCO's Peace Prize a year later.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News