Lemus orders a clean-up at SIAPA: controversial hiring investigated

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus has ordered a thorough investigation into the hiring of former host Eli Castro at SIAPA, citing an apparent lack of technical training and promising sanctions against those responsible for the decision.

In one of his first high-profile actions to signal a change of direction in public administration, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus has put the Intermunicipal System of Drinking Water and Sewerage Services (SIAPA) under scrutiny. The governor ordered the agency's Comptroller's Office to thoroughly investigate the hiring process of former television host Eli Castro, who allegedly lacks the technical qualifications required for her position.

The governor's directive was clear and forceful. He asked SIAPA's Internal Comptroller's Office to investigate "how and why" Castro was hired, emphasizing that, according to the information he had, she "did not have the adequate technical training" to perform her duties within such a specialized agency.

This action represents an unequivocal signal from the new administration against what citizens often perceive as "cronyism" or "cronyism" in public service: the assignment of key positions based on personal or political connections rather than merit and technical capabilities. Lemus has emphatically asserted that anyone found responsible for this hiring will be sanctioned.

"There will be sanctions for whoever hired Eli Castro at SIAPA... [an] investigation must be carried out into how and why the former host was hired, since she lacked the appropriate technical training." – Statements attributed to Pablo Lemus, signaling a zero-tolerance stance.

Eli Castro is a well-known figure locally for his career in the media. His appointment to a position within SIAPA, a predominantly technical and operational entity, raised questions from the outset. The investigation now seeks to clarify the nature of his role, his responsibilities, and whether his professional profile aligned with the organization's needs.

Lemus's decision cannot be analyzed in isolation. It comes at a time when SIAPA is facing intense public scrutiny for various problems that directly affect residents of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. The proliferation of sinkholes on major roads, such as the one recently reported on Malecón Avenue, and the constant complaints about the quality and intermittent water service have placed the agency at the center of debate.

In this context, the news of an allegedly irregular hiring resonates even more strongly. For the average citizen, the question is straightforward: while the city's infrastructure is failing, are their tax dollars being used to hire the most qualified personnel or to pay for political favors? The investigation ordered by Lemus seeks precisely to address that perception and project an image of control and accountability.

The outcome of the SIAPA Comptroller's audit will determine the next steps. Possible consequences range from administrative sanctions for the officials who authorized the contract to the review of other roles within the agency.

Politically, the message is clear: the new state administration seeks to establish a standard of competence and meritocracy in public agencies, especially those, like SIAPA, that are vital to the daily lives of millions of Jalisco residents.