Did the PM or the Agriculture Minister Overstep?

Jose Abelardo Mai

Was it wrong for the PM and the Minister of Agriculture to call on a public officer to inquire about a situation? Here’s what the minister had to say:

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise

“Many times you have to act decisively. Many times things get stuck and this is not the first minister that will call a public officer or the last minister – it has always occurred. Sometimes, it is the only way to get things done. And I can give you a number of examples in ministries. It is just difficult to get things done in government departments. And so if I pick up the phone and say bwai yo can’t help me with this; give me wah lee hand with this noh; look into that thing for me? It is a normal thing in our democracy. You are not dictating, but looking at the situation. Nobody gave the gentleman instructions. They ask him if he can consider – I don’t know what the language was because I wasn’t there, but I am sure that it was not you need fi do that…that’s not what I believe what happened.  And I was not there and I didn’t hear the conversation.”