A tribute to Sec. Jesse M. Robredo

It is hard to understand that the man who was behind the transformation in governance and change in most government offices is gone. What is hard to accept is that his tragic accident happened while returning home from work on a weekend. As a doting father and family man, he was rushing home to attend a family affair but fate would have it that he won’t reach home that day as the plane carrying him and an aide would plunge into sea off the shores of Masbate.

There are many questions in the minds of people who were close to him, people whom he has touched in the course of work. Even people who barely knew him personally but were beneficiaries of his inherent goodness were shocked at his sudden demise. The country lost a good man, public servant and good government worker and the pain is not only felt by people from Naga and the whole Bicol region, it is felt by everyone who knew him and who came to know him after his death from accounts of the people who were touched by his dedication to serve and commitment to lead the right path towards good governance and excellent public service as manifested from the seal of good housekeeping and the full disclosure policy in government that he led and pushed among other reforms.

His seal of good housekeeping that he wanted all local government units to have could be seen in the kind of family he has; his being a good husband, father, son, brother and neighbor that he was. It is hard to compare for even siblings are not all the same; each one has his own uniqueness and individuality that makes a person a unique being. But it could not be helped that people wish that the man that Secretary Jesse was, could be replicated in every family and home, in every government agency, in every local government unit and in every organization. His dream of transforming the Philippines into a well-kept home where every Filipino will stand tall beside his counterpart anywhere in the world – confident, happy, successful and flourishing.

He was a pride of his daughters, their own teacher and coach who emanated a countenance of righteousness, discipline and upright living. His values made him a beacon of light in his own home; his vigor and strong points were evident in the strength that his family has manifested in these arduous times. When faced with the difficult situation of clinging on for dear life and begging the Creator for an extension, he probably did not struggle for decision as he knew that he left behind his amazing and remarkable spirit and moral fiber in each of them.

Secretary Jesse M. Robredo is well-like, well-loved and admired anywhere, be it in his own family circle, in his office, in the cabinet, among his peers and even ordinary folk all over the country. His legacy on good governance will stay as people cannot accept anything below what he has set. The standard he laid down will always become the measure and gauge of his successors.