Minister Espat Says “Shuffling” is Part of Good Management

Julius Espat

While on Open Your Eyes Minister Julius Espat was also asked for his thoughts on this week’s Cabinet reshuffle. Here is what he had to say.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing

“I have been a manager for thirty years. Shuffling is a norm. A leader of a country, or of a company, has to be able to shuffle once in a while to be able to put the correct people in the correct people in the correct positions. That is what managers do. So, I don’t have a problem with shuffling. The Prime Minister believes that he could better serve us by doing so. The people were giving their opinion. And, I think that is a responsible government.”

Marleni Cuellar

“I mean, since you have been monitoring, I am sure you have heard the concerns about the handling of the pandemic.”

Julius Espat

“That is a difficult situation for anybody to handle. I think, no country in the world has handled it perfectly. So, we are just one of many countries. You have managerial styles. We are trying a news style to see if we can better it, a new personality.”

Marleni Cuellar

“What is the hope that will be different?”

Julius Espat

“Kevin is a young energetic and experienced person. But he also has experience. Kevin has more managerial public service experience than most of us. He was a mayor of a town for two or three terms. And, so I think it is an adequate choice within the options we have. I think he will do a very good job. I can only give you my point of view, and my experience, I think we have to be humble as leaders. I think we have to be willing to listen to people. I think you have to surround yourself with credible people, and surround yourself with different types of thinking. That, I believe, is the secret.”