The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) is working professionally, performing its duties diligently and with integrity, and thus should be spared from any political bickering, Executive Director Atty. Teodoro Jose Matta said.
Responding to issues raised by Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates in Kapihan sa Kapitolyo last February 27, Matta said he found it important to address the matter to set the record straight, being the executive director of PCSDS and a member of the council.
“Hindi dapat kami ginaganyan, huwag naman kami idamay sa kung anumang alitan. Trabaho lamang kami, we are professionals and we will continue to be professional, diligent, with integrity at your service,” Matta told the media in a press conference on Monday, March 3.
“We are the technical staff of PCSD and that’s all we are,” he added.
He also stated that while he is a close associate of 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez, their relationship is on a personal level, but when it comes to work, he relies on the technical aspect.
He added that the last time he saw Alvarez was around September last year during the budget hearings in Congress.
“Yung judgement ko is based on the recommendations of the staff. This is teamwork, this technical work recommended upwards and I support the staff. This is science-based policy making,” he said.
Turning emotional while addressing the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, he said he, his family, and other members of the council and staff “suffered sleepless nights, serious anxiety, mental anguish, wounded feelings, low morale among the staff, morals shot, social humiliation, and a besmirched reputation.”
However, he added that the issue between him and Socrates, being chairman of the council, is nothing but a “professional difference.”
“I guess we don’t see eye-to-eye on how policies should be made,” he said.
He further stated that he attempted to reach out to the governor to settle their differences.
“I sent a reconciliatory feeler. Actually, last Monday (February 24), I talked to Deputy Executive Director Niño Estoya and I told him, you know what, we’re having a professional difference with the governor. So I asked him, can you please call up one of those people close to him and see if we can have a conciliatory meeting?” he said.
“So Dir. Niño Estoya called up Orphy Ordinario and asked for a reconciliatory meeting. And I believe he said he will relay it to the governor, but we heard nothing ever since until nangyari na nga yung Kapihan,” he added.
