Public sector unions’ antigraft role

Anent the news item “Syjuco claim: I was the hero in Tesda mess” (Inquirer, 11/16/13), I can say without reservation that former representative Augusto Syjuco was making a big joke of himself. But this is only scratching the surface. My beef is about the role of public sector trade unionism in our country.

What complainant Annie Geron, the current general secretary of Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) and former president of the Samahang Malaya ng Nagkakaisang Kawani ng Tesda, did to Syjuco illustrates the role trade unions play in the modern era. While shunned like plagues in the private sector, trade unions are an effective deterrent against the commission of graft and corruption in government. This is why trade unionism in the public sector should be encouraged, enhanced and supported by the national leadership.

Syjuco’s claim that he was the hero appeared off-tangent. He is best advised to say this unwarranted claim before the Sandiganbayan, which will soon hold a pretrial of his case. Otherwise, we could only treat it as an empty claim, or a fart of his politically constipated mind.

—ARCHIMEDES S. MENDOZA,

archimedes.mendoza@gmail.com