Secretary Emma Lirio-Reyes: Chief Operating Officer, Philippine Senate

Wednesday, 28 May 2008 03:44

Whenever we read the newspapers, watch the local news, or listen to the radio, we see and hear the seeming ease by which senators do their work: making a speech about almost anything under the sun, kilometric-long Senate committee hearings, and the various laws and resolutions passed at the 11th hour. Little does the public know that behind the seeming easiness is a complex process of research, writing, review, deliberations, and negotiations. Only an experienced manager with a huge dose of patience can make this daily intricate operation work like clockwork. That manager for the Senate is Secretary Atty. Emma Lirio-Reyes, the first woman to hold that position.

Secretary Lirio-Reyes was a consistent honor student. After finishing Foreign Service at the Holy Spirit, she took up law at the Ateneo where she graduated with honors. She was admitted to the Bar in 1973.

Serving under the government’s three branches, Secretary Lirio-Reyes first entered public service in 1978 as a State Counsel in the Department of Justice. In 1994, she was appointed Judge of the Regional Trial Court in Batangas City, and later on of Tanauan, Batangas. After her stint in the judiciary, then Senator Franklin Drilon recruited her in 1995 as his Chief of Staff. She later became Senate Deputy Secretary for Legislation. She held this position until Senators elected her as Secretary when the 14th Congress opened in July 2007.

The LOBBYiST (TL): You are the first woman Secretary of the Senate. How does it feel to be nominated and elected by the Senators?

Emma Lirio-Reyes (ELR): Honestly, those factors didn’t affect me because weeks before or days before (the opening of Congress), I’ve been praying on bended knees for another (high) paying… better paying job (laughing) because my youngest daughter is going to enter law school and I just got widowed. That’s it. I wanted a job anywhere else, not necessarily in the Senate and here came the offer. It was timely.

TL: So you accepted it whole-heartedly?

ELR: Yup, because I was informed on the very day of session. On the opening of the session, because days before or four days before, I was talking to the Chief of Staff of Senator (Manny) Villar about the termination of (Senate) Secretary Ogie (Oscar Yabes), my predecessor. I was instructed by Secretary Ogie to ask (Villar) if his term will be extended. So I talked to the Chief of Staff.

TL: You were then the Deputy Secretary?

ELR: Yes, Deputy Secretary. And then they were contemplating to get somebody else from the outside. Maybe they had a change of heart so they want somebody else already inside to better help them.

TL: How does it feel that you are the top female officer in the Senate, selected by popularly-elected senators?

ELR: The same as I was in the rank-and-file. It did not hit me to be something big because my attitude is really not to be affected by my work, by my position ever since. It would be better because in dealing with people you don’t put it (your position) in your head. Just be yourself, an ordinary employee of the government. Honest yun ah! (Chuckles)

TL: What do you think are the challenges that women face today in your profession?

ELR: Challenge… to show that women really excel in their work, (that they’re) very systematic. A challenge is also how to balance family and work, how to use your time for your family and your work. And also to show that women efficiently work.

TL: Does it mean that women make better Senate Secretaries than men do?

ELR: Not necessarily, but we have certain advantages like for instance, our principals are more tender, I think, with women. In my experience, I was also under Ombudsman Conrado Vasquez and different secretaries of justice, and they are more understanding with women; they are more tender. Women don’t tend to enter compromises. We follow rules so that we will not be lost and we will not be establishing wrong precedence.

TL: About women not entering into compromises, does that kind of thinking affected your relationship with the Senate opposition?

ELR: Not really, because they know that you’re doing your work in accordance with the rules. When I was Deputy Secretary for Legislation, I had experiences with complaints from senators regarding referral of bills to different committees. They would often complain or ask why this bill was referred to this committee when it should be referred to my committee. So I explained to them that we look at the body of the bill and in accordance with the rules, committee jurisdictions and this and this and this… and we are sorry if we refer it to this committee per our judgment and if you contest, you manifest it on the floor. That’s how I did it.

TL: Are there senators who often question the referral on the floor?

ELR: Oh yes. There were instances before that I could recall. They are questioning why it was referred to this committee and not to this committee. That’s the big issue

And there were instances that issues overlap, jurisdictions overlap. So it was really difficult. That’s why the ZTE deal was referred to three committees because it touched on security so it was given to (the Committees on) National Defense, and then Blue Ribbon because of malfeasance and allegations of corruption, and Trade because of the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.

TL: What are the innovations you plan to introduce in the Senate?

ELR: This is primarily the advocacy of Senator AQP (Aquilino Q. Pimentel), that the Senate will be going to paperless communication, and I have estimated a budget for requiring all senators to have their own computers.

What the senators are contemplating is to really have paperless communication. But I think that there are some which cannot be done without paper. So I have estimated how much it will cost for each (Senator) to have a computer on the floor.

TL: When do you plan to introduce this?

ELR: In fact, I was about to call (the Deputy Secretary for) Administration and Finance to have the estimation of expenses. But it will take time. With respect to internal communications, I have issued a memo to all offices to register their email addresses with our EDB-MIS.

TL: So hopefully this Congress?

ELR: Hopefully. Actually, (the Bills and) Index (Division) rarely receives request for hard copies of bills from the different offices of the senators because they can download them already (in the Internet).

TL: Was that a strategy during your term?

ELR: When I was Deputy Secretary, I was also involved in the establishment of the website of the Senate as required by law.

What are our other innovations? We have rules regarding scholarships of our employees, regarding their trainings, seminars, and some requests of outside agencies like the NEDA. We encourage training of people. We have good policies on capacity-building. The new one is paperless communication because it will save money and paper.

TL: What do you think are your best qualities that help you in better performing your duties?

ELR: Well maybe as a woman, we have that female touch and motherly image. It is easy for me to settle conflicts among employees. We also have problems with employees. Also to approach senators, it’s easier. I find it easy. Maybe not because as a woman, but it adds. Well, sincerity is important, humility is also one.

TL: How’s your relationship with younger and more ideal members of the Senate?

ELR: They view me as their mother. (Chuckles) So it’s easier really. They come here, they ask for advice. Whatever I tell them, they follow. Some of them will call: the staff of the senators, employees of the Senate. It’s really an advantage that they see me as their mother.

TL: How about the more senior members?

ELR: They are also okay. You just have to explain to them since they are more vocal. Being seniors, they really insist on what they believe, so oftentimes I call meetings. But I tell them I don’t want overheated arguments. Sometimes they talk at the same time. You know how people argue. So you have to show them that even if you’re soft, you’re also strict.

TL: In facing both the idealist and pragmatist Senators, how do you balance their interests?

ELR: If they see that you stick to the rules and if you explain to them what is in the law, why we are following this, both of them listen. As long as you have your moral compass, your conviction will tell them what is right and what is wrong. I think it will be easy to manage. The older ones are more vocal but after explaining to them, you get to convince them also. In fact, right now I’m requesting for a small gavel so that when we have meetings, I can use it if they’ll be talking at the same time. (Laughing) I only use the glass eh.

TL: So working with 23 “independent republics”, does it take extreme patience?

ELR: Hmm. I would say not extreme patience because although they are your principals, they’re very nice. They’re humans just like us. Just attend to their needs when they request it. And if you cannot give it, just explain it to them. And they follow.

TL: How are you as a mother?

ELR: As a mother, I am very protective. I always call them every now and then. And in fact I have a son who is already 32 years old in the US, a doctor married to another doctor. I also constantly email him. Because he is in Michigan, and if there is a snow storm, I check on him. So I really monitor each one of them. I have a son, an architect who is in Batangas, I have to email him every now and then on what’s happening, what time did he go home, etc.

TL: So it’s ordinary, you’re not a Senate secretary at home?

ELR: I never ever discussed with them my job. (Chuckles) In fact, my daughter Clarisse is taking up law. I think she got inspired only when at times she visits me here at the Senate. But I never discuss with them. And I think it is a disadvantage. I think you have to tell them what you do, like my husband, my deceased husband. Compared to me, he always discussed work with my children so it turned out my three children became three doctors, brainwashed by the father. (Laughs) And when he died, that’s only when I learned about opening them up to my work. So Clarisse got interested in becoming a lawyer too, she’s in first year. And also my son Angelo, who is already a computer science graduate working in Spain for nine months now, took up the law exams in Ateneo without my knowledge. (Laughs)

TL: You have a tough job, how do you relax? Do you have any hobbies?

ELR: I tend to my garden every weekend. I do the digging. And I swim with my children because there’s a pool beside our house. And honestly, I go to our adoration chapel. I just stay there for one hour. I want to do it every week, but I do it once in two weeks.

TL: Do you see yourself running for public office?

ELR: No. It’s not in the family. It’s not in our blood. My brothers, my family, are all in private businesses. And besides, we can serve the public even without running for office.

TL: So after your stint as Senate Secretary, what would be your next career?

ELR: I leave it to Him, to God. That’s my attitude. I really find it as destiny. You know, why I say that’s destiny? In the (Ateneo) College of Law, we were three close friends. Now one of us is the Deputy Executive Secretary for Administration and Finance of (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) GMA. And Ombudsman (Merceditas) Gutierrez, she’s like a sister to me. The three of us are very close. It’s destiny; we never knew we will land these jobs. I was in the Judiciary, and look what happened; I’m here, not in my wildest dream. So I leave it up to Him.

TL: Ma’am what’s the last book that you’ve read?

ELR: Would you believe, I read 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murphy. And now I’m reading two books. I covered them because people might get intimidated. (Chuckles) This was given to me by Ombudsman Gutierrez, Make a Life not Just a Living. And then this, Intimacy with God, was given to me yesterday.

TL: You’re really a very religious person, very spiritual.

ELR: Spiritual, yes. I really believe in that the Lord will decide everything. I’m convinced. With my experiences in life, I’m convinced. In fact in my addresses during flag ceremonies, I really take advantage of that because all the employees are there, about 1,700 of them. So at least, once a day is already an accomplishment, so I often tell them about my readings, my experiences, my admonitions.

TL: Who’s your life’s hero?

ELR: My father, my husband. They’re really nice people. Men of integrity, men of honesty, and they’re hardworking.

TL: Who among the senators are your favorites?

ELR: My favorites among the senators, I’m close to them but I have never thought of thinking as to who are my favorites among them. I just treat them as my principals, as my bosses.

TL: Who among them are approachable and easy to talk to?

ELR: Senator Pimentel is very approachable. Senator Alan (Cayetano) is always ready to kiss you. He’s so nice and so polite. All of them, when they talk to you they’re so accommodating, so approachable, they’re always thinking of the welfare of Senate employees. You can see honestly that they are also concerned. But when they are focused in their work, they really are very demanding. As to the materials they need, they want it ready at once. They want it there at once when they ask for it. So I’m accustomed to them. Even if they say take your time, it’s not true. (Laughs) You really have to deliver at once the papers they need, the documents they need, the studies they need, the opinions.

TL: In the past few months the Senate conducted so many hearings and inquiries, to the point that public perception of the institution became negative. They even call for the abolition of the Senate. How do you feel about that?

ELR: It’s quite unfair, quite unfair because senators really study well not only in investigations. While they investigate, they continue making laws. And they also have obligations outside the Senate. They have commitments. They have invitations and they attend to requests from Sangguniang Bayan [Municipal Council], Sangguniang Panlalawigan [Provincial Councils], everything. That’s why before, we’ve been asking that sessions be made in the morning. But because of the many activities they have, we really have to start at three in the afternoon. So when they come at three, they’ve finished so much work already in the morning, with all the activities and committee hearings.

TL: You think the public opinion that senators are just grandstanding is unfounded, given some who intend to run for higher office, especially with the hearings on ZTE-NBN, etc.?

ELR: Yeah, it’s quite unfounded. But you know, it’s natural when you’re there already during the hearings and you know there are cameras around, they also get influenced as to how they will react. But I think even without cameras, their attitudes will be the same. We’re quite lucky to have good senators, working senators.

TL: You’ve been working in the Senate for a long time. How would you characterize this Congress compared to previous Congresses?

ELR: Now, the senators are more cordial, I would say. They are friendlier now. What I mean before, they are also friendly. Maybe they were pressured with work, thinking of so many things. But not as friendly as today. (Senate President Manny) Villar is very friendly. You don’t see him angry. (Chuckles) Senator (Mar) Roxas is very cordial also, very jovial. Senator (Miguel) Zubiri is very friendly. Very approachable ngayon ang mga senators [Senators today are very approachable]. And I’m lucky that I’m the Secretary; it’s easier for me. All of them are nice. Senator (Bong) Revilla, Senator (Lito) Lapid, Senator Pia (Cayetano), especially Senator Pia, she would always kiss me. (Laughs) Senator Kiko (Pangilinan) is always joking during light moments in the Session Hall. Also, Senator (Joker) Arroyo.

TL: How about Senator Jamby (Madrigal)?

ELR: I have no occasions of meeting her, but she sends gifts on Christmas and “thank you” letters if you did something for her. They’re so nice, all of them.

TL: How about Senator (Antonio) Trillanes who is incarcerated, how do you deal with that situation?

ELR: Yes, I have instance before with Senator Trillanes, he was requesting for personnel from the secretariat to conduct hearings in his cell. So he called me through the cellphone and I said I’ll be awaiting orders. He was telling me that how come I would not readily give permission. I was explaining to him that it has to be cleared with the senators and the Senate President and it is not I who will decide. So we have to wait for whatever instructions of the Senate President and it has to be deliberated on the floor as to his rights. That was the only communication I had with him. He called me because I didn’t want to sign the permit for people to hold hearings there. It’s not that I was disapproving, but I was telling him, I don’t have the authority. I have to clear it from the leadership.

TL: It was cordial, that one instance? Hindi naman po masyadong [It was not] harsh?

ELR: Hindi naman [Not really]. But he sounded surprised, so I have to explain it to him. Ok naman [It was ok].

TL: How about Senator Jinggoy (Estrada)?

ELR: Senator Jinggoy is also very jovial. He would oftentimes tell jokes. (Laughs) The young senators are really happy. (Laughs)

TL: How about Senator Chiz (Escudero)?

ELR: Senator Chiz, yes, ok siya [he’s ok]. The Legislative Committee Secretary assigned to him would come to me asking for assistance because he (Senator Chiz) is a workaholic. Oftentimes I ask the elevator girl as to who is around at early times, sasabihin nya si Chiz [she will say it’s Chiz]. (Laughs) Lately he has many requests. And he has many hearings on bills, lahat naman sila workaholic [all of them are workaholics]. But among them, the Legislative Committee Secretary assigned to Senator Chiz came to me asking for another assistant, because per committee, we only have one Legislative Committee Secretary. I was telling her, “Because you’re giving everything. (Laughs) You’re doing everything, so he’s thinking that you can handle it.” So far, she hasn’t retuned to me. Those things, ang hirap [it’s difficult]. Sometimes senators would complain about the Legislative Committee Secretary assigned to him or her. They will ask for a change. And you already have assigned several committee secretaries for each committee according to specialization.

TL: Do you grant those requests?

ELR: If possible, we talk to the senators to give them another chance. Sometimes they accept, sometimes they don’t. In fact we have, I think one or two (committee secretaries) on float. And I think it’s not also a good image for you, being not taken by the senators. So we use them as reviewers of committee reports. But we have to maximize their efforts. So we really want them to assign in committees. It’s difficult. And you cannot dismiss them. There has to be solid evidence to dismiss them under civil service rules. There were times when one or two Legislative Committee Secretaries had trouble with a senator’s staff. We asked them to resign rather than dismissing them if they are really disobedient or rebellious. You really have to treat people. That’s why during the sine die adjournment, we have programs for stress management. Magkakaroon kami ng mga seminars [We will have seminars]. We also allow them to go on team-building activities so they will be able to strengthen their camaraderie. Ayoko ng problema sa personnel [I don’t like problems with personnel] (laughs). Ang hirap [It’s difficult].

TL: What are the lessons you’ve learned in life so far?

ELR: In life, first even we planned everything for our life, they don’t materialize. So when I plan, I learned to ask the Lord to guide me with my plans. But it will be you who will be planned by God. Oftentimes you’re plans are not carried out. That’s what I learned.

And also with treating people, I learned that you really have to listen attentively to people. I don’t know why many people come to me to unload their problems. I just don’t know why. And when they do so, I also cite problems of my friends whom I know whose problems are bigger, so to make them feel that their problems are not really that big compared to my friends. At least that gives them great relief.

Another thing is you have to practice what you say. I don’t say that I am righteous but it’s better if you’re honest that way. You really have to talk to people when they come to you. You really have to feel what they feel. Place yourself in their shoes so that you could understand them.

My best lesson also is to treat people equally. Even at home, you know our oldies, they have a big gate for important people, and for the small people you let them pass the backdoor. It should not be the case. You should always open the same door to everyone. I really feel everyone deserves to be treated equally. No discrimination.

TL: You’re setting the path where other women can succeed. What advice can you give them?

ELR: Just be themselves. To be sincere, honest, do the work diligently, and do not put the power and the position in your head, and always be humble. Just be simple. It’s easier to deal with people like that rather than showing, imposing, and looking bossy. I think that’s difficult.