Being employed by a top BPO (business process outsourcing) company means having to work in a very competitive environment. Every day, several key performance indicators (KPIs) must be managed to meet expected goals. Weekly, action plans must be analyzed, adjusted and implemented according to the results of the previous week. And monthly, the performance scorecards are computed and examined by everyone—all so that the ever-increasing KPI targets can be tackled once more.
As with most competitive endeavors, failure to meet the targets is not an uncommon occurrence. There are really numerous factors which causes failure or, in company parlance, unsatisfactory work performance. Indeed, there are too many events and circumstances to recount without sounding whiny or self-serving. But, as was in my case, a succession of bad months led to the dreaded outcome: employee corrective action.
This administrative policy put me on notice and compelled me to explain my accomplishments on record so that management can, quite simply, decide whether or not to terminate my employment for unsatisfactory work performance.
Suffice to say, I am happy to still be gainfully employed.
After undergoing that harrowing experience, I can honestly relate to what the Binays must be going through with the Senate hearings. To have one’s competence, integrity or professionalism questioned is uncomfortable enough, to say the least. To have the whole proceedings broadcast to the nation certainly magnifies the risk of humiliation and loss of face. However, despite my sympathies, I would have to strongly disagree with the Binays’ most recent strategy of avoidance of the hearings.
My main contention is that as public servants, the Binays must submit to the oversight function of the Senate. They must answer the serious challenges to their integrity and competence as government officials. Myself being a taxpayer, for example, an important KPI for a mayor or vice president would be the judicious use of public funds.
Thus, it is certainly disconcerting to hear that the Binays may have unjustly enriched themselves in office. Citing, in particular, the reports of overpriced birthday cakes and lavish farms under dummy owners, these could very well indicate unsatisfactory work performance for an elected official. So, either the Binays outright stole public funds, which puts their integrity into question, or they were incompetent at managing the (painful) withholding tax from my (inadequate) salary.
Either way, they and other elected officials must submit to public scrutiny when such serious reports crop up.
The best thing for the country would be for the Binays to justify their continued stay in their respected offices. Do they deserve to keep their jobs? With their refusal to attend the Senate hearings, the only appropriate corrective action is clear: termination from public office.
—SOLIMAN DELARIARTE,
sdelariarte@yahoo.com