I feel a painful grief and desolate over the untimely death of a gentleman, innovator, governance inventor, and a lowly reformist who fought against traditional politics with courage, bravery and integrity yet ever had in the arena of government service. Truly, government service is a bastion of people’s trust. When a worthy official, like Robredo, who deserve something far greater than who he really is, the whole nation mourns for his lose.
I have this feeling also that the dreaded numbers game---jueteng---will surely resurface in the coming days. Unscrupulous politicians would surely gear up and try to operate this greatly profitable numbers’ game because a lot of our ordinary people still love to bet; and because local government officials allow them to operate.
These local government officials are really getting interested to support it or even finance it because in the next few months, election is in the offing. By that time, sufficient funds for vote-buying and purchase of sacks of rice, noodles, canned goods, and the hoarding of 20 or 50 pesos denominations will still be more easy to gather than during campaign and election days. Of course, the 100s, 500s and 1000s denominations would also be a subject for hoarding as banks now are really busy managing the turnover of cash deposits and withdrawals.
As a banker would say, “Surely, there will be an upsurge of cash, as I have observed, coming from different sources particularly abroad. It wouldn’t take long in the cash chamber as or the recipients depositors would immediately withdraw it and secure it somewhere safe.” Probably true because banks also are targets by holduppers. This is a very amusing thing to note. However, no matter would be the events in the next few days or months, we shall be witnesses to an untimely environment left to us by Sec. Robredo.
The whole nation grieve for his passing but remained thankful and adamant to pursue his ideals and objectives. Ordinary people really are true in terms of relationship whether personal, business or politics. The icon of goodness and integrity are a few remarkable symbols of his presence even in death.
As the body of Sec. Robredo was cremated, the luster of his servant-leader inspiration has remained a symbolic inspiration for all of us; his indefatigable stride to excel in his own pace in managing the whole affairs of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with less oversight and supervision from President Noynoy Aquino only show us who he really is when he works for the best for all of us---his awards in public service stand as an historic legacy that every Filipino today will remember always.
Indeed, this great man died because he’s been in a zenith where his good deeds will be planted in the hearts of people whom he served well. Farewell, Jesse; your legacy of good government and iconic symbol of a real public servant carry us all to new challenges ahead with strength and will that we can overcome them all.
I just hope and pray that President Aquino indomitably carry on the reforms that Sec. Robredo has done and accomplished; and check upon his own people who really are serious and those are not. I can foresee that the battle against graft and corruption in the government would be an uphill stride.
Goodbye, Jesse. Good luck, Mr. President. We are counting on you.
