BY: FERNANDO VALDIVIA CORREA
In the midst of a state of emergency due to the torrential rains caused by Cyclone Yaku that have caused the fall of mudslides both in the capital and in the interior of the country, leading to the loss of millions of Soles due to the destruction of public and private property, Rosa Gutiérrez she left the position of Minister of Health to go to the United States of America and participate in a meeting convened by the Pan American Health Organization.
Faced with the emptiness left, a hasty Premier managed to excuse her by saying “health is well cared for”; However, what drew attention was that Mrs. Gutiérrez traveled with her youngest son (11 years old). In the face of her criticism, she declared that “I have always stated that I am a mother and a father, and my role as a mother will take precedence in any situation.” Tender message. Now, let’s land.
In March of last year, the then head of Defense, José Luis Gavidia, traveled to Huánuco to participate in the start of the school year, accompanied by his three daughters (11, 15 and 31 years old), staying in that city for 3 days. Immediately, the Ministry of Defense tried to justify it by pointing out that “His daughters were included in these flights, because by that date he had to comply with his parental care, according to the visitation regime assumed.” Minutes later, Gavidia’s excuse was in the same sense.
On that occasion I wrote “…, it is clear that he fully fulfills his role as a father, regardless of the age of his children. That says a lot about him, and it’s a good time so be it. But that is not up for debate. What yes, is the exercise of the public function in one of the positions of highest functional performance: To exclusive dedication. We understand that it is one thing to take the son to the office for various reasons…, and another is to transfer him on secondment, with the consequent risk that this implies (something that has not been written about, since the position of Minister of State per se carries the risk of his own life, having unnecessarily exposed his offspring)…”. For this reason, the Prosecutor’s Office initiated a preliminary investigation for the alleged crime of embezzlement against Mr. Gavidia.
It is clear then the tremendous irresponsibility committed by Mrs. Gutiérrez, first to be absent unnecessarily during the aforementioned catastrophe (she could well have given the task to one of her vice ministers); second, by having exposed the integrity of the child (we understand that he is in class, unless he studies at a national school, in addition to the inexcusable response of not having anyone to leave him with); and, third, for not correctly assessing the position held (Senior Management); that is, there is an entry time, but not an exit time.
The Minister is right when she indicates that the family comes first, although work is also first, since her portfolio represents the health care of all Peruvians.