Motivation in Public Service

By:  Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa
First National Assembly of Education Leaders, PICC Manila Philippines, Sept. 20- 22, 2017

Why is the heart so important because it is where all dealings are made?  There is the heart.  The heart is the first organ that is visible. Engaging your heart is vital because you have the power, you have the means and you have the captive subject to shape a new and different future for the country. I hope you are very excited about what you do.  Yes, o yes, you have to be because it is always an adventure and an adventure to newness really is quite exciting.  Servant leaders of the nation with a heart, a pure heart, a clean heart, a compassionate heart.  And you have the power to chart a new course for our country that could even impact our ASEAN nations to draw them out, to draw us out, of the grab mentality.  Grab power, grab profit, grab pleasure.  I hope you will ponder on this and start doing it. 

I still remember my mother who was a Math teacher in FEU.  For her, math is not merely addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or equation.  She expanded her math lessons to wider dimensions, a more holistic meaning to the mathematical processes.  Subtracting pain through sharing, adding joy and hope through good deeds.  Multiplying talents with community work and dividing work load through volunteerism.  Sharing pain, having joy and hope, multiplying gifts, dividing the burden, this is engaging the heart of education leaders.  The sit of wisdom, the heart, compassion, most of all the start up motor of humanizing the person in society.  Education is an on-going process, a life-long project.  Even if in your case, education would be, educating in schools, within the confines of classrooms, within specific timelines, still there must be that consciousness that education is life-long and life-wide.  

What you teach and how you teach can detonate positive or negative heart bites.  TO TEACH IS TO SHOW SOMEONE HOW TO LIVE.  Teaching is not merely transmitting literal knowledge.  Teaching is making word and happening one.  So it is witnessing.  Pope Paul VI teachers teach best when they are witnesses.  Realize that engaging the heart is the dynamic force for motivation, experiences that becomes memories of the heart and lessons for a life-long and life-wide practice.

Mothering or parenting and teaching form a single vocation.  Both engage the heart to the hill in motivating their children and students to strive for excellence and to account for the hope that is in them.  Engaging the heart does not mean permissiveness.  It requires discipline.  A danger, parents are sometimes prone to probably due to the lack of time since both father and mother have to work.  Or the guilt provoked by this lack of time.  Neither does compassion mean, you can’t confuse it with pity.  If we spoon fed our daughters and sons of whatever age.  Your students of whatever level, there is a danger of turning them to become mental wimps, worst with hearts that crumble at the slightest stress or difficulty. 

Forms and substance but this has no reference to impeachment requirements.  Impeachment cases have become a dime a dozen now a days which is a sad commentary on public service.  Was it Jefferson?  I think its Jefferson who said, what we acquire too easily, we esteem too lightly. Going back to my sharing, this will focus on form and content.  The form, anecdotal narratives.  The content flushed out from the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines which is invoked by every congressional investigation in aid of legislation, a dime a dozen too now a days.  Since I am not a lawyer or an elected servant of the people, I just went as far as the preamble articles I to III, because I find them all the highlights I needed in these sections which can be crunched into three headings for purposes of motivation, motivating you as educators and public servants.  

The three motivators; maka-Diyos, makabayan, makatao.  Maka-Diyos when you read the constitution, that is the first part.  It invokes God, so it is recognition of the primacy of God.  And makabayan states the national territory that is our country, the Philippines which public servants and all of its citizens have to develop her patrimony and secure her posterity.  And then makatao particularly the poor, ang mga pinapahirapan, ang mga isinasaisantabi, mga kinakalimutan para sa panahon natin ngayon mga pinapatay.  Paulit-ulit, andun po sa Philippine Constitution ang karapatang pantao napakahalaga na ang karapatang pantao, hindi pinapahalagahan ng isang libo lamang.  Wala pong . . . ,  it cannot be buy you.  Do not be scared even if you are public officials to concern what is right and what is wrong.  I admire your secretary.  She vouched for the character of Kian De Los Santos.  That was brave.  I thought that was very brave.  What will make maka-Diyos, makabayan, makatao excellent motivators is love.  And love is not an emotion.  It is an action of the heart.  Love for God, love for country, love for people especially the poor.  This love must be proactive not passive.  Not just a passing emotion. Naku, kawawa naman.  Naku talagang mali ‘yan.  Magrarally tayo.  Pagkatapos, nakalimutan na.  It has to be a passion for it to be a life-long and life-wide. 

Passion is a produce of the heart.  A heart that has been loved.  A heart that has known what it is to be loved and what it is to love.  ‘Yong mga nakaranas, naïve, na mahal sila.  Na inibig sila.  Those who experienced how to be loved without looking at our warts, or moles, or defects, simply for ourselves, that is the best motivation, iyon ang nag-uudyok sa puso na magmahal din,  that dictates the heart to love too. 

I am a Catholic.  And I’m very proud to be one.  I believe in one God for whom nothing is impossible.  My God whom I believe who loves me and is always there for me, come hell or high water.  You have to believe in something or in someone.  Whatever your faith is or whatever god you worship, your faith, your god must be your all in all.  What is this that gives meaning to life?  To your vocation as educators.  God who is love is the absolute motivation for remaining faithful in being maka-Diyos, makabayan, makatao, in all things that we do and say. 

You know, Pope Francis is a very practical man.  He is very kin on encounter.  Iyong makipagtagpuan.  Because life is all about relationships. You relate with our children.  Children relate with their parents.  You relate with your students.  You relate with each other.  Life is relational.  We relate with people we encounter. Kaya best iyong person to person contact eh.  Kaya ako, hindi ako naniniwala nung bibigyan na lang ng assignment ang mga estudyante.  Darating na lang kapag may eksamin.  Sa college yata iyon, mas type nila yon.  At hindi na nakikita.  Wala iyong exchange, interaction, engaging the heart.  And we need to encounter God in especial moments of our lives.

I met my God early in life.  I know it was not through my effort for what grade three girl student for seriously know who Jesus is.  He must have been the one who drew me.  To wake up early every morning and walk to an early mass. 6:00 o’clock in the morning.  And then, so that we will not be late in school which starts the next day at 7:30.  Since then, Jesus and I have been friends.  And I can tell you.  There is no bff better than He is.  And I know, He will save me from whatever fall I find myself into from whatever foolishness I may do He will save me because He loves me.

When you know you are love unconditionally, faithfully walking with you in sunshine and in rain.  Then this gives meaning to your waking, sleeping, breathing, working living. 

Motivation starts with relationships, carried through relationships, which bear fruit in relationships.  They can be good or bad fruit depending on the relationships you established and encounters that you have.  I am a Filipino and I am very proud to be one. 

You saw that, The Devil Wears Prada?  Ang galing-galing ni Merill Strip.  The Devil Wears Prada, kase kapag nagkaron tayo ng mga ilusyon, to buy this, to buy that, to wear this to wear that.  Hay naku, umpisa na ang katapusan.  Madali po kaseng matisod, di po ba?  Kaya kailangang balik-balikan ang dalisay na hangarin sa paglilingkod.  Alalahanin n’yo po si Bonifacio.  Humayo kayo, humayo tayo at ibangon ang bayan sa kawalan ng puri dahil sa katiwalian. 

When somebody does something for you, no matter how small, or even if it’s their duty to do so, show some appreciation, some affirmation because some affirmation expands the heart.  And motivates it to go an extra hundred miles for the magi’s be abundance to life. One of the things I cannot forget, he told me because he made an order that I should repeat it to as many people as I can.  Pope John Paul II said, “God has blessed the Philippines, with two things that is not present anymore in other countries; the richness of your faith and the closeness of your families. 

Engaging the heart knows no distinction, no barriers, no differences.  The three motivators, Maka-Diyos, makabayan at makatao.  I hope you will always remember God who is kind and merciful.  Slow to anger and rich in forgiveness.  Even if your students are nakakagigil.  That you will remember that.  Na araw-araw hahayo kayo at ikalat na walang pag-ibig pa, na hihigit sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila,  kundi ang pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa.

That when you encounter people especially the poor.  That you will teach them, rather show them, through your hugs and affirmation that there are no children of a lesser god.  And what better motivation for you than being true to what you are and what you do which is a privilege no amount of money can equal that privilege to form the minds and engage the hearts of the young Filipino, the new Filipino, the future’s authentic Filipino servant leader.  Education is on-going, life-long, life-wide.

The Philippine Revolution as a Conflict of Class

By:  Paolo Flores

 The Philippine revolution aside from ethnicity and gender, is a conflict of class.Most of the ilutstrados or the middle class denounced the Katipunan and sided their loyalty to Spain. Ilustrados are branding the Katipuneros as un-educated, and the revolt they started was an ill-timed and ill-prepared struggle. Later the Ilustrados embraced the Katipunan because it is winning its battles against the Spaniards.these ilustrados, though driven by nationalism like the masses, fought to preserve their social status and economic wealth. Their interests and agenda vastly differed from the objectives of the Katipuneros. Other ilustrados preferred to remain fence-sitters until the tide of the Revolution was clear. In a study of the municipal and provincial elite of Luzon during the Revolution, Milagros C. Guerrero concluded that well-to-do Filipinos as well as municipal and provincial officials refused to join the Revolution during 1897 and early 1898. There was even hesitancy even after they did join.

Many history books assert that class conflict was symbolized by the leadership struggle between Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. In contrast to the working class background of Bonifacio, Aguinaldo was an ilustrado and a former gobernadorcillo or town executive in his home province of Cavite. Aguinaldo’s ascendance to prominence as a result of his strategic victories in battles naturally brought him into conflict with Bonifacio over the leadership of the Revolution. In a sense, their bitter struggle reflected the falling out of the masses and the ilustrados during the Revolution.

It started as a result of the intramural between the two factions of the Katipunan in Cavite - the Magdiwang and Magdalo. Their conflict had deteriorated such that each one refused to assist the other in battles. Moreover, in one of the battles in Manila, the Caviteno forces even failed to provide assistance to the revolutionaries of Manila. Bonifacio as Supremo of the Katipunan was invited to Cavite to resolve the factional differences and thus ensure a united front against the Spaniards in the province. Once in Cavite, the ilustrados maneuvered to ease Bonifacio from the leadership. In the Tejeros Convention of March 22, 1897, they voted to supersede the Katipunan with a revolutionary government and an election of the officers of the new government was conducted. Aguinaldo was elected as President while Bonifacio lost in several elections for key posts before he finally won as Director of the Interior. But a Caviteno, Daniel Tirona, immediately questioned his lack of education and qualification for the post, and insisted that he be replaced instead by a Caviteno ilustrado lawyer, Jose del Rosario. Insulted and humiliated, Bonifacio as Supremo of the Revolution declared the election and the formation of the new government void. What followed was a black mark in the history of the Revolution.

Aguinaldo, upon the prodding of his fellow, ilustrados, ordered the arrest and trial of Bonifacio on the grounds of treason. A bogus trial found Bonifacio and his brother, Procopio, guilty, and they were sentenced to death. Aguinaldo gave his approval and the Bonifacio brothers were shot on May 10, 1897, at Mt. Tala, Cavite. In rationalizing the fate of Bonifacio, Aguinaldo and his men claimed Bonifacio was establishing his own government which would have subverted the revolutionary cause. His elimination was necessary to maintain unity under Aguinaldo’s leadership. Ironically, Bonifacio, the father of the Revolution, became a victim to the ambition and self-serving interests the ilustrados as personified by Aguinaldo.

(This is in response of Paolo Flores to the article published in opinion.inquirer.net entitled A question of heroes: Aguinaldo vs Bonifacio)

A Man of God

By:  Jonathan Edwards J. Olabre
As lifted from his original  FB post entitled Good Christians.

Days before he (Pope Francis) came here, I had an acrimonious discussion with another Facebook friend. My point was that how come the pope was not issuing anything stronger about Islamic Terrorism after the Paris terrorist attacks. His message was that he condemns violence. That was ambiguous for me. As a leader of the largest Christian denomination, I expected something stronger. I perceived it as weakness and an inability to protect Christendom. After that heated exchange, I offered my apologies and just kept silent. . . . . Although a few of my correspondences with others continued. I resolved to be more circumspect in deference to many of my countrymen whom I have no aim of slighting in any way. That it is just a matter of doctrine and dogma that makes the difference.

WE SHOULD BE CRYING BECAUSE OF OUR APATHY.

We should all be crying because we are all to blame! During that exchange, there were those who cannot condone the course of action that I advocated even though they were my natural allies. In the end I just told them that after the victory against the Muslim Heathens, they can just hold their War Crimes trial and indict me and those like me during the conduct of the war of extermination and annihilation of another civilization. My main point was that nobody cares now what the Romans did to Carthage and our civilization is a result of that. It was one civilization over the other.

So I kept silent and thought about it more. I have no love for liberal agendas and I realized that as I grew older, I tended to be more conservative in my views. A product of learning and experience. And as I reflected some more, I thought about what kind of civilization that I was defending.

The answer came in three stages. When Pope Francis spoke in Malacanang, he made a sweeping condemnation of corruption. No political party was singled out. It was a statement that all those who are in positions of authority have a responsibility not to be corrupt. That they are all equally guilty of allowing a system that takes away from the poor. That a system such as that is not only immoral but an obscenity before the eyes of God and Man. He did not do it in a combative way. No fire and brimstone sermon but what makes it strong is on the manner how he delivered it. It was like an old school teacher, knowing all the tricks of students, aware of styles and manners and methods and say that “You cannot fool God” . Buking ko kayo!

The second stage was on Saturday. Going to Tacloban. He went there inspite of the risks because of the weather. I know how it is like to fly in airpockets and even had on occasion took a flight fleeing from a storm. That was in 1997 coming from Boracay. But this Pope, knew a storm was coming. He knew that danger lies ahead. He knew that the people there were the real reason he came here. He must be here. As he said “Am a little bit late. But I am here” . He deliberately flew into the teeth of the storm. He did not make great statements after hearing the hurts and pains of the survivors. Instead, with a show of great humility, he just kept silent. He knew that none of his words will be enough. He chose to keep all of it and suffer their plight in his heart. He was not after votes and approval. He was there to be able to share the feelings of suffering and despair. He had to learn how it was. As he said, the trip was for him. He discovered that he had to partake of the contents of the cup. He had to be there. A truncated trip because of exigencies and situations beyond anyone’s control, he apologized for leaving early. Many would not appreciate the fact that when the airplane took off at 1:00 P.M., the storm was just 50 kilometers away. Like the distance from Manila to Tagaytay or Dau, Pampanga. At 3:00 P.M. the storm made landfall. It was that close. But there was no bravado involved. I realized that inspite of my idea that he was “ soft”, he had a backbone of steel. He had courage and bravery not seen in the world for many years. It was courage and bravery not borne out of temporal or worldly power but a strength based on faith. If Josef Stalin were alive today, he cannot utter “ how many divisions does the Pope have?”. Josef Stalin cannot fly into the teeth of a storm and leave with its jaws biting at his heels. Mao Zedong cannot say “Power goes out from the barrel of a gun” in the teeth of a storm. It was bravery and courage borne on faith.

The 3rd Stage was when he was at UST. Of hearing the words of Glydell, of a question on why God would allow children to be victimized by prostitution and drugs. I was choking in order to prevent tears. I lit a cigarette and went out the door. My chest felt like it was being held in a vise. Glydell made the unanswerable question. It was a question that I have made myself and heard others who scoff at the thought of a God allowing such things to happen. It was an existentialist question. He could have answered using tracts in the Bible, instances of miracles and even divert the issue. He chose to meet it head on. He said it was a question, not even expressed through words but conveyed by tears. It was a question he has no answer. Again, he showed that he was human and not all knowing. By doing that, he showed that he was not unlike all of us who have such questions with regards to the faith.

But I realized that he actually gave the answer. His answer of “If we don’t learn how to cry, we can never be good Christians.” . As I understand it, it was more than a cry of pity for Glydell and the unfortunate and downtrodden, as I realized, we must cry for ourselves. It is not God who allows such a state of affairs, it is us who allows such. We do it by being apathetic. We do it by selling our votes. We do it for working for a system that creates such iniquities. But most importantly, those in power, economic and political must learn how to cry. Those in government, regardless of political affiliation must cry. The captains of Industry must cry. Crying in this case goes beyond Corporate Social Responsibility. Crying in this case is more than giving scholarship foundations and medical outreach activities. Those who are in power must cry to be able to understand the plight of those who are in despair. Crying entails that they take stock on what they have and what it means to have much in a land where there is want and need for many. Crying for them must mean that they transform themselves not only as agents of change but agents of re-distribution. That they cry because they can afford to eat more than 3 times a day. That they have cars, boats and planes when so many have no shoes. He does not have to directly attack the injustices of this world, attack by naming names. He did it by just showing up. By being an example. He did not say "look at me, look at me and how simple I am" . The bar for faith and leadership has just got a notch higher. Pope Francis sure showed them! No better and louder shout of rebuke and condemnation than the silence of example.They must cry for themselves because whatever they have done, they cannot be good Christians.

That is what it meant to me these past few days. I kept silent and reflected. Not a Vicar of Christ in my belief but Definitely a Man of God.

(The writer claims that he is a Protestant who don't believe in apostolic succession but gave an interesting reflection on the Pope's visit.)

You may also like reading related post:  What a God Loving and Believing Nation Really Is?

'All levels of society, [to] reject every form of corruption,' - Pope Francis

Below is the full text of Pope Francis' speech at Malacañang after his courtesy call on President Aquino on Friday, Jan. 16.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you, Mr President, for your kind welcome and for your words of greeting in the name of  the authorities and people of the Philippines, and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I am most grateful for your invitation to visit the Philippines.

My visit is above all pastoral.

It comes as the Church in this country is preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores. The Christian message has had an immense influence on Filipino culture.

It is my hope that this important anniversary will point to its continuing fruitfulness and its  potential to inspire a society worthy of the goodness, dignity and aspirations of the Filipino people.

In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda.

Together with many people throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others.

Those virtues, rooted not least in the hope and solidarity instilled by Christian faith, gave rise to an outpouring of goodness and generosity, especially on the part of so many of the young. In that moment of national crisis, countless people came to the aid of their neighbors in need.

At great sacrifice, they gave of their time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working for the common good.

This example of solidarity in the work of rebuilding teaches us an important lesson. Like a family, every society draws on its deepest resources in order to face new challenges.

Today the Philippines, together with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid foundations a modern society – a society respectful of authentic human values, protective of our God-given human dignity and rights, and ready to confront new and complex political and ethical questions.

As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country.

Thus will they be able to marshall the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.

 Essential to the attainment of these national goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity. The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor.

It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart.

The Bishops of the Philippines have asked that this year be set aside as the “Year of the Poor.”

I hope that this prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life of the community.

 A fundamental role in the renewal of society is played, of course, by the family and especially by young people.

A highlight of my visit will be my meetings with families and with young people here in Manila.

Families have an indispensable mission in society. It is in the family that children are trained in sound values, high ideals and genuine concern for others.

But like all God’s gifts, the family can also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know how difficult it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such basic human values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human person, respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect for the inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and extending to that of the elderly and infirm.

For this reason, families and local communities must be encouraged and assisted in their efforts to transmit to our young the values and the vision which can help bring about a culture of integrity – one which honors goodness, truthfulness, fidelity and solidarity as the firm foundation and the moral glue which holds society together.

 Mr President, distinguished authorities, dear friends:

 As I begin my visit to this country, I cannot fail to mention the Philippines’ important role in fostering understanding and cooperation among the countries of Asia.

I would also mention the oft-neglected yet real contribution of Filipinos of the diaspora to the life and welfare of the societies in which they live.

It is precisely in the light of the rich cultural and religious heritage of which your country is proud that I leave you with a challenge and a word of prayerful encouragement.

May the deepest spiritual values of the Filipino people continue to find expression in your efforts to provide your fellow citizens with an integral human development.

In this way, each person will be able to fulfill his or her potential, and thus contribute wisely and well to the future of this country.

I am confident that the praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between the followers of the different religions will prove fruitful in the pursuit of this noble goal.

In a particular way, I express my trust that the progress made in bringing peace to the south of the country will result in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including the indigenous peoples and religious minorities.

 Upon all of you, and upon all the men, women and children of this beloved nation, I cordially  invoke God’s abundant blessings.

Source:  gmanetwork.com

You may also like:  Pope Francis Message to the Youth 

On Economy and Politics: Let's make things right to win the future

By:  Rafael Alunan III
Reposted from his FB notes dated Dec. 28, 2014

Our macroeconomy ended on a high note.  Business growth was sustained despite the effects of man-made and natural disasters in 2013.  According to the Oxford Business Group in its December 26, 2014 on-line report:

Economic growth surpassed government targets well before the end of 2014.  It was driven by strong foreign direct investment (FDI), overseas remittances and expansion in real estate, business process outsourcing (BPO) and mining sectors. The World Bank estimates GDP growth of 6.4% in 2014 and 6.7% in 2015, vis-a-vis 7.25% in 2013, due to weak government consumption and a decline in infrastructure spending. The IMF and investment analysts see growth around or below the 6% mark in 2015.”

But here’s the rub. In its 2011 report entitled “Family Income Distribution in the Philippines from 1985 to 2009″ the Social Weather Stations (SWS) cited that high income AB classes account for only 1% of total population, which, according to the CIA Fact Book estimates to be 1.077-million as of July 2014.  That 1% translates to around 1.08-million privileged Filipinos.  9% of total population, or the middle class, belong to Class C, or approximately 9.7-million people.

 Six (6) out of every 10 Filipinos, or 60% of total population, or approximately 64.6-million Filipinos belong to Class D, or the“masa”. The poorest segment, Class E, also comprises a big chunk - around 30% of Filipinos – undoubtedly confirming that poverty remains prevalent in the Philippines.  The numbers indicate that a wide gap continues to divide the rich and the poor, and that trickle down economics is exactly that, which never reduced poverty.

90% of the population live just above, along and below the poverty line. They’re perennially short of cash to make both ends meet, or for savings and investments. Quality of life falls short of the mark – in housing, health and education; job security, food, water and electricity services; or combinations thereof.  Limited opportunities handicap them for employment or entrepreneurship, hence the diaspora. Inclusivity is the simplest answer but this has not gained traction.

There’s more data that the Philippines has remained an oligarchy. Carmen Pedrosa’s column in a national daily cites the following sources:

• De La Salle University Dean Julio Teehankee reports that 178 family dynasties rule 73 of the 80 provinces.

• Bobby Tuazon, Policy Studies Director of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance, reports that 21 of 24 seats in the Senate fall under the control of political families; while in the House of Representatives, 80% of 229 seats are dominated by dynasties.

• A 2014 study by Ronald Mendoza, AIM Policy Center Director, shows 75% of members of Congress and 80% of governors and mayors belong to political dynasties.

• Forbes magazine lists the 40 richest billionaires in the Philippines as having combined assets of $34 billion.

• A 2012 study by the World Bank shows 25.2% of Filipinos living below the poverty line of $1.25 a day, while the CIA’s was higher at 26.5%.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis condemned the “economy of exclusion” as he called for “worldwide ethical mobilization” citing the indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society” as ways to combat poverty. He urged the U.N. to promote development goals that attack the root causes of poverty and hunger; protect the environment; and ensure dignified labor for all. He articulates the issues that people around the world think and talk about such as economic justice, income disparities and poverty.

Robert Christian wrote in Time magazine that Pope Francis’ tweet about inequality is the wake up call we all need. “It challenges us to fully recognize the equality of all and create conditions that reflect a total commitment to human dignity.  There is a common root to most (or perhaps all) grave forms of social injustice: the rejection of human equality and the influence of this rejection on human relationships and institutions.”

“Human persons are fundamentally equal in their worth and dignity. A person’s worth is not dependent on their lineage, how they fit in some utopian scheme, how much they produce or consume, their autonomy or independence, or their race, intelligence, age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Human worth is innate and cannot be forfeited. And it is equal in each person.”

That means to me that people who wield political, economic and information power should seek innovative ways and means for ensuring that every person has access to those needs that are necessary for human flourishing. The elite need to open their eyes to the gravity of the threat economic inequality and injustice poses to human dignity and the common good.

A Princeton study on “who really rules” says that American democracy no longer exists.  Researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page argue that America's political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy in the past few decades, “rich, well-connected individuals on the political scene now steer the direction of the country, regardless of, or even against the will of the majority of voters.”

Like in the Philippines, access to opportunities and resources are cornered by the best, at the expense of the rest, resulting in income inequality, a widening gap between the haves and have-nots, and social conflict.  John F. Kennedy warned about this in his inaugural speech half a century ago. Pope Francis is shaking the tree today. Business groups like the Management Association of the Philippines are championing inclusivity as the antidote to the widening inequality gap and the key to reducing poverty.

We're chained to slavish conditions where most of the benefits of political power and economic growth are cornered by the 1% while most of the costs of bad governance and bad performance are borne by the rest of society. In a country where 90+% are supposedly Christian, nowhere are actual conditions reflective of our faith and Jesus Christ's teachings for mankind to love one another. We have behaved badly, failing to care, share and dare for each other, because we've placed self-interest above the common good.

2015 promises to be another banner year with superb opportunities for inclusivity.  The country’s one percent must function as real elite by acting beyond their vested interests to lift the nation higher and higher, with the long-term goal of leaving no one behind – all for one, one for all! 

Creating new wealth, enlarging the economic pie, and equitable distribution of the benefits is the way to go. It’s time we take our country back from bad behavior, make things right and fight with all our might for the future of succeeding generations.

God bless us all in 2015!

Respectable Public Servants Deserve Public Support

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON\

I want to borrow and share the sentiments of Jude Ocampo via Jess Lorenzo who mentioned in his fb post that he feels sorry for our honest public servants. The public demands that they be visible - which is perfectly understandable since seeing competent men and women directing govt efforts does provide some comfort. But when people like Sec. MAR risk life and limb to lead crisis management efforts on the ground, they are rewarded by cynicism and ridicule. Kung hindi ka magnanakaw sa gobiyerno, dapat yata santo or masochist ka. Can't we just see this for what it is - an honest public servant doing his job?

In government service, seldom that honest public servants got noticed, recognized, and even rewarded by the public and most importantly by peers. If you profess and practice righteousness in the work place either some would despise you, reject you and like Sec. Mar, ridicule you behind your backs. Your contemporaries may even consider you as a threat. May be that is because, the crab mentality is so grossly embedded in our psychic- bad for a nation dreaming to be progressive and great.

Most of the time, if you think out of the box, radical in your approach meaning highly analytical weighing things and putting it in a balance, and most of all disciplinarian or strict, you could be unpopular, or less liked.  Rest assured that nobody will recognize your efforts, they may do so once you have left, worst, none at all. You could be excused  unless you possess an above average, not ordinary, or even extraordinary appeal and aura, but still do expect negativity for there is a saying, you couldn't please everybody.

This is the very reason that most of our best people as much as possible avoid government service. They rather work and serve in an NGO than in government or worst, in the corporate world and just help in other ways. The bad side about it is that the unknowing public, 'the masses' are left with no other alternative. Then we will be annoyed by mediocre government services!

If we, the public, want a good and ultimately the best public service that we want from the government, we should ask ourselves first, what kind of citizen am I?  In my own little ways, aside from being both direct and indirect tax payers, what, contributions do I make towards the society?  If I would be given the opportunity to serve in the government, can I do the kind of public service I want from them?

People in government, particularly the righteous and respected ones, deserve our support and not the other way around so as encourage them to continue and not be eaten up by the bad system.  Our failure, is our great loss for there are already too few of them in government now.  Their tribe should increase, and its we who are in the best position to make it a reality.  After, all, in a larger picture, WE THE PEOPLE, IS THE GOVERNMENT.

(Mr. Gilbert M. Forbes had his Bachelors Degree and MA in Educational Management (CAR) from the Philippine Normal University.  A campus paper adviser and trainer for 13 years.  Currently, he is a school principal in one of the central schools in the Division of Quezon.)

Heroism is About Living, Not Dying

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON

For quite a long time, heroism is always associated with death.  Adults used to say that anybody striving to be hero is usually killed nowadays. (Pinapatay ang nagpapakabayani ngayon)  It is very popular that it has become a common knowledge and a warning.  In return, ordinarily, people just remain silent in the midst of evil occurring even within their doorsteps.  They have become afraid, paranoid, and passive.

Whenever we do things in the best way that we can,
we are heroes. (Photo courtesy of google search.)

The majority could be unaware of this fact but it could be observed on how we are delighted to learn news of we perceive to be extraordinary deeds of heroism the media usually reports.  As such the media are always in search for heroism that could be reported such as taxi driver or janitor returning million peso worth of properties left by their clients, exceptional type of public servant’s performance,  or whistle blowers brave enough to expose evil doings both in government and the private sector.

Those deeds mentioned are ordinary practice of citizens abroad but appear to be uncommon in our society this type of hype shows. Is our country in search of modern day heroes? Does heroism has become seldom and an extraordinary affair among ourselves?

The truth is its not!  There are various types of heroism ordinarily happening out there but are just clouded by the evil doers because of our passive stance to ward off these evils. Heroism isn’t only about dying because heroism is a natural gift to every one of us.

Farmers and fishermen who honestly, patiently, dedicatedly and industriously doing their jobs to support their families until they are able to slowly get out of abject poverty no matter how long and difficult is an extraordinary heroism already.  Teachers, policemen, soldiers, and all public servants who undyingly serves our people in the best possible they can all portray an extraordinary type of heroism. All government officials including politicians whose dignity remains untainted, honesty uncorrupted and service above self rendered is an extraordinary heroism.  Private individuals, who honestly pay taxes due to them, proudly follow the laws of the land; participate in all undertakings for the common good are all heroes.

They are all our MODERN DAY HEROES.  So who says therefore that heroism is difficult to do?  Who is saying that anybody who is striving to be heroes is usually killed?  Yes there are instances.  But we should not forget, we will all die if it’s our time already wherever we are.  There could be dead heroes but there are also lots and lots of living heroes.  All we need is to open our eyes and look for ourselves inside out.

As the lyrics of the song by Mariah Carey which became popular two decades ago, we just don’t have to be afraid of doing so.

“There’s a hero.  If you look inside your heart, you don’t have to be afraid of what you are.  There’s an answer, if you reach into your soul, and the sorrow that you know will melt away.”

The song further says that, once the hero comes along, it goes with it the strength we need to drive away all our fears including the knowledge that we can survive.  It furthers, “So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong, and you finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you.”

Evils should not be happening within our doorstep for evils to occur is for few good men to do nothing.  Being a hero isn’t about dying for it is more about living.  It is about living a good, godly righteous life which is as easy and natural as breathing because we are all designed to be good and live the best and righteous way that we can.

Kudos brothers and sisters out there!

Watch out for stories of heroism particularly among our teachers in the succeeding post as we celebrate the World Teachers Month.

Poll Results Show, Filipinos are Fool or Selfish?

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepED QUEZON
Region IV-A (CALABARZON)

The recent 2013 poll results dismayed many particularly those who are expecting that our countrymen are already maturing to select and vote for the right leader that will govern and lead the country in the next three years.  But it didn't happen, the results seem to only signify the legitimacy of political dynasties, and the bogus service-oriented and hypocrite politicians marching as champions of the people.

Graphics courtesy of yahoo news.

Ramon Casiple said in his article that appeared in yahoo news that almost all reform candidates lost in sea of vote-buying, popularity contests, electoral violence, and patronage politics which made 2013 represents a setback to the cause of political reforms.

Jj Marasigan, a nitizen from Sariaya, Quezon, had this to say that we can't really blame people for what we may consider to be poor choices and their money-shaped votes.  He explained quoting Marx that "It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence (their lives). On the contrary, it is their social existence (their economic well-being) that determines their conciousness. To put it simply, as long as our people remain poor, they will continue to be powerless, unable to make the right choices. The system is corrupt not because the government is corrupt. Rather, the government is corrupt because the system is corrupt.

Selfishness viz Selflessness

The consciousness of the common people particularly the majority, the class D and E looks at the present or in their day to day survival only forgetting what the future holds.  This is happening because of lack of education and the critical mind to look not only of what the present could offer but most importantly the future on a much sustainable way.

Quite a number could be aware but selfishness overpower love of community and country.  This is where trapos are quick to respond.  Using the already limited resources of the government or the taxpayers money, they are mascarading as their champions by promising them heavens and earth.

Elected politicians who's very job discription are limited on lawmaking and legislation are quick to trumpet themselves in the limelight as public service oriented leaders using the hundreds of millions of peoples money to most of the time, useless and unsustainable projects.

Local executives on the other hand although its within the means of their power over-emphasized their ways of helping the poor which is actually doing more harm done good because it is seen as a tactic of maintaining a certain level of mendicancy to sustain their power later manifesting into a political dynasty.

These includes free hospitalization, free movies to senior citizens, out of placed scholarship programs targetting college students but forgetting the most needy children in the Basic Education Sector considering our EFA Goals, opening and operations of locally funded colleges which is competing with the already very limited and inadequate resources, free hospitalizations, free burial,free school supplies bearing their names, etc.

Graphics courtesy of Thinking Class Philippines.

In other words, these politicians are trying very hard to establish a welfare-oriented citizenry in a third world or developing country with the citizens having no role or contribution but to ask. These evils could be regarded as poising the government towards bankruptchy without the people knowing it.  The result, there are numerous LGU's which are highly indebted and most importantly, the country as a whole always experience budget deficit and so has to depend on foreign loans.

It is a no surprise that they couldn't pass the Right to Information Bill or follow line budgeting because they know that it would be both political and economic suicide.  Local executives however has to set aside a strategic approach in managing scarce government resources on projects that will later generate investment and job opportunities for their people because of the reasons already stated.

If class D and E benefits from the system on a limited scale, Class C and some of the middle class benefits more from the system.  They could be the side kicks of these politicians or the direct beneficiaries of jobs and contracts in government in return of the support they gave.

It takes two to tanggo.  There not only corrupt politicians but equally there are lots of corrupt middle class both in the government and the private sector who continuously benefit from the system.  Thus, they are working hard to maintain the status quo.

Dr. Edwin S. Martin, Asst Professor at UST teaching Public Administration and Political Science is quick to say in his article entitled Ambiguities of Being a Politician, First and Second Part, Manila Bulletin, April 27 and 29, 2013 that both traditional and seasoned politicians are most likely aware of their ideal responsibilities, yet they allow ambiguity to exist, since they benefit from the prevailing situation including their private and public sector cohorts.

Fools or Just Plain Ignorance and Immaturity

The voting public to be considered fools is a harsh statement and could be considered satirical.  Dr. Edwin S. Martin explains that other than adventurism and opportunism of popular politicians, the level of maturity of the Filipino electorate may be considered as the culprit.

It all boils down to the kind of education our people received which made it a challenge for all educators to really develop a thinking citizens. Another thing is their economic lot. We have to make them self-reliant by continuously educating them patiently and organizing them so that they will become not only responsible citizens whose primary concern is the national patrimony over their own. They need to be kept bombarded on the importance of elections as the perfect way to change their plight aside from their individual economic initiatives.

All concerned citizens therefore the civil society, various information media, every enlightened citizens should zero in on this challenge.  All parties who share common ideals should consolidate their efforts and resources on a grand scale in gradually uplifting peoples' consciousness on how to choose the most qualified people that will help improve the plight of the poor.

Though 2013 could easily be considered as a setback for political reforms,reform oriented candidates should not surrender the fight but instead consolidate their powers in alliance with the civil society and enlightened citizentry.

The STRUGGLE is just starting and for evil to manifest itself is for few good men to do nothing.

(The author has been a political and social activist since college.  He holds both the Bachelors degree and MA (CARMA) from the Philippine Normal University, Quezon and Manila Campuses.  He is currently holding a managerial position in DepEd.  Part of his advocacy apart from quality education is social justice, good governance and financial literacy and wellness.)

Tsinelas Leadership

By:  Sec. Rene Almendras
Dept. of Energy
www.abs-cbnnews.com

(Excerpts from Sec. Almendras eulogy for Sec. Jesse Lobredo)

I have come to define tsinelas leadership as the pragmatic and more demonstrative version of servant leadership that Sec. Jess always talked about. I will tell you, I will explain to you four features of tsinelas leadership, Jesse Robredo version.

Tsinelas leadership is about the willingness na lumusob sa baha; to be willing to go where you normally do not go—to the most remote areas just to be with the most disadvantaged people. We all know Sec. Jesse rarely said “no.” That’s why he was one of the most well-traveled Cabinet members. He went to many places where some of us could not go to. Last night, I stood here for several hours. Ang dami pong taga-Mindanao na pumunta dito to honor Sec. Jesse. Lahat po sila pagdating sa amin, nakatayo kami doon: maraming salamat po. Sir, taga-Mindanao kami; Sir, taga-ano. It was just amazing that he has been to many places in the Philippines just to reach people.

A second characteristic of tsinelas leadership is breaking down the barriers between us and the people we serve. Many years ago, a young architect told me: “I will design it so nicely na mahihiya pumasok ang naka-tsinelas.” Nandito po tayo sa Malacañang, nandito po tayo sa Kalayaan Hall. Look around you. This place was not designed for tsinelas. And yet last night, and throughout most of today, how many thousands of slippers came into this room to pay tribute, to pay homage and honor to Sec. Jesse. Naiilang lumapit ang naka-tsinelas sa naka-barong. Leaders must be acceptable, accessible to those they serve. That was Sec. Jesse Robredo.

Third point about tsinelas leadership. Personally po, meron akong relaxation trigger. When I go home, I start relaxing when I take off my shoes and put on my slippers. Marami pong miyembro ng Gabinete ng Pangulong Aquino ang hindi nakakatulog na naka-sapatos. Tuwing bumabiyahe po kami, naghuhubaran po lahat ‘yan ng sapatos sa eroplano. Hindi ko po pinapatamaan si Sec. Cesar Purisima. Pero the minute pong maghubad ng sapatos si Secretary Cesar Purisima sa eroplano, within five minutes tulog na po ‘yan. Alam po ‘yan ng Pangulo kasi ‘yan ang sinasabi ng Pangulong “the concert starts.” But really wearing slippers is the most casual form. Being casual is being warm. Leaders must be casual with the people they serve so that they can listen, hear, and empathize with the people that they serve. That was Secretary Jesse Robredo in his truest form.

Tsinelas leadership is about back to basics—base-level transformation. Sec. Jesse and I share the same problems. He was pushing for good governance in local government. I am still trying to push good governance in electric cooperatives. In the last two weeks of Sec. Jesse’s life, I talked to him or texted with him everyday because of common problems that we shared. He believed and I shared in his belief that good leadership and governance structures in the barangays will naturally result in good leadership and governance structures in the whole republic. It’s about transforming the expectations of people from their leaders so that the next set of leaders will be better than the good ones we now have.

Tsinelas leadership is about working on the basics—no frills, no kaartehan; something as uncomplicated and casual as the tsinelas but with a very, very clear vision. That was Secretary Jesse Robredo.

My last conversation with Sec. Jesse was on Friday morning. He called me up at about 8 o’clock in the morning. Sabi niya: Sec. Ren—Rene po ako but tinanggal niya ‘yung “e.” So tawag ko rin sa kanya Sec. Jess. Binawian ko rin po siya e. Sabi niya: “Wala na ba talaga tayong pwedeng gawin tungkol sa baha sa Bulacan?” And the reason for that was Sec. Jess, Sec. Singson and myself at the back of that coaster kept on looking for ways and means to mitigate and bring down the water levels as fast as we can. We talked about Angat Dam, we talked about changing some protocols, and I said: “Sec. Jess, ako na bahala. Tatawagan ko si Sec. Babes mag-uusap kami then we’ll update you”. The very last line that Sec. Jess told me was: “Sige, Pare. Kawawa talaga ang taumbayan.” That is tsinelas leadership—a genuine concern and care for the people that we serve. That is Sec. Jess Robredo in its true context.

These five characteristics and many more is Sec. Jesse Robredo and his legacy to all of us.- abs-cbnnews.com

Click READ to see the complete text of the eulogy.

‘A tough act to follow-’Excerpts from Abad’s eulogy for Robredo

By:  Sec. Florencio 'Butch' Abad
DBM Secretary
Source: abs-cbnnews.com

(Here are important excerpts or parts of Budget Sec. Florencio Abad eulogy for Robredo.)

Jesse is indeed a tough act to follow — not just in the way that the nation reacted to his death. He also set an extraordinary standard in the manner he lived his life as a public official, as a family man, and as a servant of God.

Although many of us would rather gloss over the political aspect of our duties or ignore it entirely, it is impossible to do so if we aim to set our priorities right and foster good and effective governance. This is because politics is inherent in our work as well as a key component in our reform agenda of “daang matuwid.”

And this, I believe, is where Jesse stood out. He bravely immersed himself in the competing confluences of governance, of politics, and development. Even more remarkably, he would emerge from these turbulent currents with his integrity intact, his optimism as boundless as when he began, and his actions a source of inspiration for everyone to follow in his footsteps.

More important, he was able to produce concrete results including, as Lou said, his work in setting higher standards of performance among local government units through his Seal of Good Housekeeping program. His efforts at introducing reforms in the bureaucracy such as the culture of transparency he injected in the procurement activities of his department especially in the PNP spoke loud and clear for him.

Many of our peers in development and politics were determined to do the same with utmost sincerity. Some of them began their terms with the most noble of intentions only to find themselves consumed by the same corrosive culture of patronage and partisanship they sought to change. Others who would later recover their bearings became embittered cynics, convinced that there is really nothing anyone can do to transform this country.

But, Jesse managed to remain largely unscathed in a bureaucracy notorious for its moral casualties. He defined his political acumen without losing sight of his goal of widespread reform, showing his constituents what true leadership and public service were made of.

He did all of these without engendering acrimonious relationships with his colleagues and stakeholders. In fact, he regularly dealt with people often deemed too dangerous: drug lords, crime syndicates, warlords, rogue policemen, among others. He calmly mediated between the government and urban informal settlers facing eviction even as tempers rose and violent clashes broke out. He brought his mediation efforts to bear on the difficult process of establishing peace and development in conflict-ridden communities in the ARMM.

Furthermore, he dealt with political opponents squarely with astounding skill and candor. In other words, Jesse could talk to just about anybody with frankness and sincerity. The doors to his heart were swung wide open to practically anyone—from state leaders to government staff, all the way to the lowliest of people in Naga whom he dutifully served.

How was Jesse able to do this? What made it possible for Jesse Robredo to accomplish so much without compromising his ethical and political responsibilities? I am sure Leni is in the best position to give us an explanation.

Still, we try to answer these questions without realizing that Jesse’s work is exactly what public office requires. The principles he remained faithful to, the unique way he empowered Filipinos all over, these are precisely what effective public service and what daang matuwid is all about. And this is even clearer when we see Jesse’s qualities that formed his work and his decisions: his humility and compassion, the way he pursued excellence, and the way he was passionately driven to make this country a better place for all of us.

In the end, however, the sum of his achievements is founded on a basic truth: mabuting tao si Jesse. Jesse was a good man. This may seem an oversimplification but oftentimes, we fail to recognize how hard it is to be good, to remain honorable in the face of unrelenting challenges. This is especially true when one has to work and survive as we must in a political environment that does not always embrace the values that we promote.

Although we continue to wrestle with Jesse’s untimely death, this nation’s grief is tempered by a renewed sense of hope that Jesse’s legacy of reform and integrity will grow timeless, sustained by a new culture of honest, compassionate, and competent governance that he championed in his lifetime; that Filipinos will honor the choice of right over wrong in the face of adversity; that there will be no shortage of good men and women in this country.

In ending this tribute to a dear friend and colleague, the words of the late President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic in his "Summer Meditations" come to mind—words which I believe eloquently and aptly describe Jesse and his liberating politics and I quote: “If your heart is in the right place and you have good taste, not only will you pass master in politics, you are destined for it. If you are modest and do not lust after power, not only are you suited in politics, you absolutely belong there.

The sine qua non of a politician is not the ability to lie. He only needs be sensitive and know when, what, to whom, and how to say what he has to say. It is not true that a person of principle does not belong in politics. It is enough for principles to be leavened with patience, deliberation, a sense of proportion, and an understanding of others. It is not true that only the unfeeling cynic, the vain, the brash, and the vulgar can succeed in politics; such people, it is true, are drawn to politics. But, in the end, decorum and good taste will always count for more.”

Even as we bid you farewell, Jesse, we know you will always be here to guide us. You in your signature polo jacket with your eyes disappearing in your smiling face. Maraming, maraming salamat, Jesse.- abs-cbnnews.com

For the complete text of the speech, click HERE.

DepEd joins the nation in mourning for the passing of Sec. Jesse Robredo

Office of the Secretary
DepEd, Aug. 21, 2012

In a statement issued yesterday by Sec. Armin Luistro, DepEd joins the nation in mourning the passing of an icon of good governance and faithful stewardship. 

Robredo and Luistro even before they were named as Cabinet Secretaries.

"We in the cabinet mourn Sec. Jesse's passing as an icon of good governance and faithful stewardship."

"As a fellow Lasallian, I mourn an outstanding alumnus who has been an example of what it means to use one's gifts for service."

"As a Filipino, I am urged by Sec Jesse's legacy to continue to believe that there are good men and women who are willing to sacrifice and give their lives for the sake of our nation."

With this, he called the Filipinos to live by the examples started by Sec. Jesse.  "Isabuhay natin ang sinimulan ni Jesse!"

The statement emphasized that, with deepest sympathy, the DepEd family joins the nation in mourning the passing of untiring public servant DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The statement also extended DepEd family's deepest condolences to the families of his companions, Capts. Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand.

"We stand in solidarity with their families and friends at this very difficult time of their lives," the statement concluded.

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Robredo’s Legacy on Education as Local Governance Champion 

Jessica Marie 'Aika Robredo's 2003 Grand Prize Winning Piece in the Ramon Magsaysay Student Essay Competition, High School Category

By Jessica Marie Robredo 
www.rappler.com Posted on 08/20/2012 6:27 PM | Updated 08/21/2012 1:05 PM

Secretary Jesse Robredo's eldest daughter, Jessica Marie 'Aika' Robredo, then a 15-year-old high school student at the Universidad de Sta Isabel in Naga City, won the grand prize for the high school category of the Ramon Magsaysay Student Essay Competition in 2003. We are reposting it here from www.rappler.com which the latter took permission from Ramon Magsaysay Foundation to make it available on their website.

www.rappler.com FATHER AND DAUGHTER. Aika Robredo thought highly
 of her father even as a15-year-old Photo from Aika's Facebook page

I was only 12 years old in August 2000 when Jesse Manalastas Robredo was proclaimed as the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. I was a witness to how honored the man felt with the recognition given to him. But it was not until I was asked by my English teacher to go over the list of past and present Ramon Magsaysay awardees and write an essay on one of them that I was able to fully understand the great significance of the award. The awardees, I quickly learned, were exceptional men and women who bravely dared to make a difference in making Asia, and maybe the world, a better place.

It was easy for me to pick Jesse Robredo from the list of 229 awardees because he was one person who truly inspired me, and who continues to inspire me to make a difference. To write about his life and his work, however, is a very daunting task, because he is very close to my heart.

Much has been written about his outstanding work as mayor of Naga City from 1988 to 1998 and how he bravely fought corruption, vice, poverty, economic stagnation and dramatically transformed Naga from an inefficient and dispirited city into one of the most progressive in the country. When the euphoria brought about by the Edsa People Power Revolution started to wane and people were starting to doubt if a more authoritarian leadership would work better for the Filipino people, Robredo showed us all that the people are still the most important resource and restored our faith in democracy. He not only worked for the poor but worked with them and involved them every step of the way. He has always pushed for growth with equity, transparency, integrity and he brought honor to his office. But the most essential part of his accomplishments are those that are invisible to the naked eye.

I am 15, but I must admit that to this day, the lessons of democracy, of fiscal management, of people empowerment, are still quite difficult for me to comprehend. What I do understand is that the people of Naga look up to him because he succeeded in making them feel he is just like any one of them. He is simple and humble in his ways. He wears the city government uniform to work. He is in his office before eight o’clock in the morning. He goes around without bodyguards, and he does not believe he is entitled to special perks just because of his office. He lives very modestly as his house and office would reveal.

He is a very dedicated public servant and practices what he preaches. No task is ever too menial for him, whether it is driving around the city at night to check busted lampposts or joining street cleaners and garbage collectors in performing their regular chores.

People see the best in him during the worst of times. He is always the last man on the street during typhoons, making sure that people are safe, and the first one to shovel the mud out of the city after the floods.

In 1998, after serving his third consecutive term as mayor of the city, he stepped down quietly, ignoring suggestions for him to seek higher office or perpetuate himself in power by asking a family member to run in his stead.

Now that I know what the Ramon Magsaysay Award is all about, I feel truly blessed that I happen to be his daughter. I was born exactly six days before he was first elected mayor and I spent the first 10 years of my life with him at City Hall.

If there was one thing that convinced me that he is truly deserving of the award, it is this: He has never made me feel I was different from others just because he is my father. As he goes about serving others, I have never been left wanting for his time and attention. He eats lunch and dinner with us seven days a week, even if it means he has to take two or three more meals because he has to attend a constituent’s wedding or birthday reception. No occasion is too trivial for him. He is there for us not only during PTA meetings or piano or ballet recitals, but even when my math homework gets a little too difficult.

Now that I am a little older, sometimes people would come up to me to tell me what great things my father has done for them. I feel proud. But what puts a smile in my heart is knowing that he also did small things for some people – things like bringing back a wayward son to his distraught mother, helping a male employee patch things up with his wife, or playing basketball on a street corner with the neighborhood kids. Such things may appear inconsequential, but they have brought great joy to others and made them feel important.

His decision to continue serving his native city and resist the lure of national prominence, which a higher elective post could have brought him, had the deepest impact on me and imparted to me life-long lessons: that no deed is too small nor too big if it makes other people’s burden lighter and their lives better; that greatness of spirit can be achieved not through wealth, power or popularity, but by living your life with quiet dignity and by becoming a man for others. By his example, I have been truly inspired to dare to make a difference, break ground, stand up for my own convictions and serve others selflessly and with integrity in whatever field I will find myself in. - Rappler.com

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Major Challenges to the Attainment of EFA and MDG Goals: Politicians Bias Treatment to Education

Robredo’s Legacy on Education as Local Governance Champion

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon
posted 8/21/12 7:06 AM updated 8/22/12 11:10 AM

For the many, he is simply known as a DILG Secretary.  But his more than that.  Prior to his appointment to the Cabinet of Pres. Noy Aquino, he was an accomplished and respected local executive who has made a lot in Naga City's turn around.  He's by far an alternative politician.  A jewel among political leaders who profess and masquerade as champions of the people.  He is not only identified as local governance champion but as an education reform champion too.

The late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo while on a school visit.

In one of the papers he presented entitled Reinventing Local School Boards in the Philippines, he described how governance reform efforts was able to bring about large-scale systemic reforms in a centrally managed public education system in Naga City.

Robredo’s love for education was illuminated further when he explained his wit on the importance of education in a speech he delivered during the 2011 DEPED NUEVA ECIJA EDUCATION SUMMIT with the theme "Bridging Education Resource Gaps Through Stakeholder Partnership," held on May 18, 2011 at Nueva Ecija Convention Center.

There he explained how Local School Boards (LSBs) can start initiating reforms by considering indicators at the local level such as the drop out rate, achievement level of children, availability of basic four services such as water and electricity in schools, teacher to student ratio and the quality of teachers, among other indicators, to guide the school boards in the allocation of financial resources. 

Emphasizing and explaining how politics often result to misuse of Special Education Fund (SEF), he called on that IT’S HIGH TIME FOR OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE SEF FUND.

The value he attributes to education isn’t surprising because he believes other wise that participation rates in primary education by regions is inversely correlated with the incidence rates for food and overall poverty. 

He explained in his keynote speech that regions with the highest participation and cohort survival rates and lowest dropout rates showed lowest poverty incidence rates. Furthermore, according to the study (UNDP 2010), the correlations support the importance of adopting progressive approaches in fighting poverty and investing in primary education.  Such an approach raises the likelihood of accelerating the realization of the MDG targets.

As such, he is certain that investment in primary education is promising to reduce poverty.  For this, he said, there is much to be done.

According to Ched Azardon of MLE Philippines, in 2009 when mother tongue based multilingual education (MTBMLE) was still unknown, Mayor Robredo was the first to send a contingent to their first MTBMLE summer trainin.  "He openly expressed his love for the Bicolano language," Ched said on short tribute she posted on the group's account.   "When we went to Naga City for MTBMLE advocacy, he met us at the airport at 7:30am and later convened the city council to pass a resolution supporting MTBMLE," she added.

She narrated further that  she admired his deep concern for young pupils and his relentless efforts to empower the community. "What struck me though was his humility and perseverance in facing resistance from local education officials. That somehow inspired me to go out of my small world and engage with the system no matter what," she wrote.

This particular value that the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo gives to education isn’t surprising because for one, he has done significant gains when it comes to education in his turf, Naga.  In an article featured by beta.taopo.org, a web engine manned by a group of professionals of various discipline who believes that we can determine what we can change and how, former Naga  City Chief Executive is louded for the gains made by the city and its people.

Accordingly, the article says that before Jesse Robredo became the mayor, Naga City was an impoverished third-class city. All that changed when, in 1988, Mayor Jesse left his corporate job in Manila to run for mayor in Naga. He won, becoming the youngest person in the Philippines to be elected city mayor.

Both the mayor and the city have become multi-awarded, winning over 140 local and international awards. Among Mayor Jesse's personal accolades are the 2000 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, the 1996 Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Award, the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM), 1998 Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines and the first ever "Dangal ng Bayan" Award of the Civil Service Commission.

He was also cited by Asiaweek Magazine in 1999 for transforming Naga City from a lethargic Philippine city into one of the Most Improved Cities in Asia. His program "Kaantabay sa Kauswagan" (Partners in Development) gave priority to the impoverished people in Naga, cited by the United Nations as one of the Top 40 Best Practices in 1996. The city piled on so many awards in the Asian Institute of Management’s Galing Pook Awards that, it was eventually elevated to the Hall of Fame.

In 2004, the city’s I-Governance program was chosen as one of the Global 107 Best Practices at the Dubai International Awards. The city was also a recipient of the United Nations Public Service Awards for applying information and communications technology in governance.

I-­Governance is essentially about making the budget and all the services, contracts, transactions, revenue collection, as well as names of accountable officials and employees of the city available to the public.

This is done either through the city’s website, www.naga.gov.ph or through a directory of sorts that the city government published and gave away for free to all the households and establishments in Naga.

Certainly, his legacy should leave an imprint and a signal to us that there is still a lot to hope for given the example held and left by the former DILG Secretary. 

It is a challenge for us all how we can find another gem, actually more gems among current public servants who remains unnoticed but whose genuine hearts and untarnished principles and dignity are just their main wealth.

Being the torchbearers of knowledge, we in the teaching, training and education world should follow the lead to insure that not a few but many likes of Jesse Robredo will come into being. 

Repeating the quote of Herbert Spencer which our beloved Jesse Robredo take note of, “THE GREAT AIM OF EDUCATION IS NOT KNOWLEDGE BUT ACTION.”

How do we take our actions then?

There could already be unknown individuals who are threading the same path as Jesse Robredo has traveled.  The main challenge is how to continue against all odds particularly those who are either misunderstood and thus unpopular and often regarded differently.

Usually, it happens, but once fellow men realized your good intentions and have seen the fruit of your labor through the help of the few who dare to believe, they will surely be our side.

Yes, not every one of us could be us great and popular or multi-awarded as Jesse Robredo, but we can certainly do our share which when combined, impact would be unimaginable.  There are simply lots and lots to hope for-- that this nation shall be great and so its citizens.

The time to take actions is now!

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