The late Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, an American business magnate, industrial designer, and inventor who played a crucial role in revolutionizing the personal computer industry, shared his secret of success: Go to exceptional lengths to hire the best people in the world.

The secret, which has long been an open one, may not have reached the radar of this government agency head though.

In a not-so-far-away land, roughly six kilometers from where I sit, is a public agency where the appointment of employees to government service based on affiliation, rather than merit, has experienced a resurrection.

It's a detrimental and controversial practice widespread in work organizations, more so in the public sector because it undermines the principles of fairness, efficiency, and transparency.

How unfortunate are 110 million Filipinos to have an official who trivializes the fundamental principle of meritocracy in public administration? Who, instead of picking up from the gains of predecessors and replicating the great leadership skills of counterparts, shifts the focus from competence to personal affiliations, compromising the quality and integrity of government institutions?

Instead of considering the essential factors in the recruitment and promotion process, such as skills, qualifications, and performance, he lobbies for the selection of the mediocre, the junk, and the misfits to fill vacant plantilla items. Worse, he has been lawyering for the comeback of a former staffer — now housed at the agency's office for free — already dropped from the government rolls for unpleasantly severe reasons that would make a supervisor pique.

Lest this official of a communications attached agency forgets, he is indebted to no one except to the nation and its people starving for no less than dedication, commitment, and selfless and unbiased leadership. It is a country expecting developmental news articles from all over, which means that no major island is excluded.

When he took his oath of office, it was assumed he was aware that the selection of the most competent individuals and the setting of objective policies lead to a highly efficient and effective public service.

When affiliation (be it ka-basketball, ka-inuman, katawanan) becomes the primary consideration, the recruitment process neglects the critical assessment of an individual's skills, abilities, and experience.