Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto urged the 857 new graduates of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to always side with the Filipino people, saying it is never the wrong choice.
Speaking at the Second One DAP Graduation Ceremony on January 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Recto warned against popularity-driven governance and called for evidence-based, people-centered public service.
“Siding with the people does not mean pandering,” Recto said, stressing that public service should focus on delivering fair, workable solutions—not false promises.
Addressing graduates who completed master’s degrees in public management and leadership, Recto said success in government is not measured by popularity but by lives improved.
He highlighted DAP’s role in strengthening the bureaucracy, describing it as a training ground for public servants facing challenges such as red tape, corruption, and inefficiency. Since 2015, DAP has trained nearly 56,000 public servants, including about 10,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recto emphasized that good governance must result in concrete benefits for citizens, such as faster services, reduced burdens, and restored dignity.
He concluded by congratulating the graduates and urging them to serve with integrity and commitment to the public good.
Founded in 1973, the DAP is the country’s premier government learning institution, providing training, research, and consultancy in governance and public sector excellence. To date, it has conducted 358 education programs and 1,078 training programs nationwide.
