I do not wish to join the "I-know-Jesse-Robredo" bandwagon. But I do want to write a blog post about him, if only to remember that there once lived a man like him. I do not claim to know him personally. But let this be my way of paying tribute to a good man.
I met Mr. Robredo while working on my undergraduate thesis in 2001. My thesis partner and I conceptualized a weekly documentary that will feature different places in the Philippines and the issues and culture that are unique to each location. Initially, we wanted to feature my hometown in Eastern Samar because there was a mining issue there back then. But due to time and distance constraints, we decided to feature my partner's hometown instead - Naga City.
I visited the place between Christmas and New Year of 2001. I stayed there for a couple of days and my partner and I were able to interview Mr. Robredo. Our first meeting was in his office at the City Hall. The first thing I noticed about him was that he was very unassuming. I'm quite familiar with local politics and I know of a lot of mayors who think of themselves as gods who are not accessible to the public. But Mr. Robredo was different. He allowed two naive college students to follow him around and to talk to him despite his busy schedule.
I can't remember details of the interview. But I recall that there were a number of his constituents waiting for him inside his office. They appeared indigent but they were allowed to go inside the mayor's office. I doubt if other politicians do that. I'm sure others would have staff who will screen these visitors. But he accommodated his guests and talked to each one of them.
We joined Mr. Robredo in two events he had to attend. He allowed us to join him in his vehicle. I didn't see any bodyguards. He just had a driver. I don't think other politicians would be as gracious. Others would have found away to shoo us away or we would have been sent to ride the bodyguards' vehicle. But he entertained us.
We witnessed his interaction with the senior citizens of Naga during their Christmas party and his discussion with market vendors. Again, I can't remember the details but I knew that his people loved him genuinely. He was not giving dole outs but I felt their sincerity when they hugged and talked to their mayor. In my province, people would be happy to have a politician attend their party because that would mean gifts or "gala" (money thrown away on the floor while dancing the local dance, curacha). Mr. Robredo gave nothing but they still welcomed him.
I knew he was a good man and I was happy when he was appointed as DILG secretary. It's just unfortunate that he was never confirmed and some controversies surrounded his stint in the department. Controversies that were not of his own doing.
I've been shedding tears the past few days for the good man that we lost. I am amazed at how dignified his family has acted all throughout this ordeal. Nakakahiya nga, mas umiyak pa yata ako kesa sa pamilya nya nung funeral services.
Much has been said about Mr. Robredo. And from everything that I've heard and seen, here are the things that I found really valuable:
1. From former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, we can no longer use "corruption" and "system" as excuses not to do good.
We often hear politicians say that they want to be good but corruption and other evil ways are already ingrained in our system and culture so they can't do anything about them. They have to go with the flow. Sabi nga, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. But Mr. Robredo proved us wrong. As Padaca puts it, hindi siya nilamon ng system, rather, he reformed the system. So dear politicians, if Mr. Robredo was able to do it, there's no reason why you can't do the same.
2. From Fr. Ambrose, the priest who presided over the funeral mass, Jesse died doing what he loved doing most - going home.
According to Fr. Ambrose, very few people die doing what they love doing most. The way Mr. Robredo died was a testament to what mattered most to him - his family. The tributes to him are replete of testimonies that he always found time for his family and he would always rush home during the weekend. He proved to us that indeed, quality rather than the quantity of time that you give your family is more important. Despite his demanding job as a public servant, he was able to raise his family well. His death should teach us how to value our families and how to put them above all else.
3. You don't have to be flashy to be a politician.
In the past, my Tatay told me that to be an effective politician, people have to know your achievements and accomplishments so that your constituents (read: voters) will know that you're doing something. Otherwise, they might think you're just slacking off and you're bound to lose in the next elections. But Mr. Robredo proved us wrong. He just did his job - no frills, no huge announcements, etc. Yet, he succeeded. The Naguenos voted for him because they actually saw him working. I was not aware that he had these full disclosure and seal of good housekeeping policies at the DILG, yet people in the LGUs appreciated that he did this. Mr. Robredo showed us that you don't have to brandish your accomplishments. The people who matter will know whether or not you're doing your job. Never mind the ignorant members of the Commission on Appointments or his other critics. They didn't matter so he didn't care.
4. He died so the whole country may know about him.
Yes, it is unfortunate that he had to die before the entire country can know and appreciate how good a public servant and person he is. But sometimes, things like this need to happen to awaken people and to make them realize that change is possible as long as you have the will to do it. We can only hope that he did not die in vain and we can all carry on what he has started.
I met Mr. Robredo while working on my undergraduate thesis in 2001. My thesis partner and I conceptualized a weekly documentary that will feature different places in the Philippines and the issues and culture that are unique to each location. Initially, we wanted to feature my hometown in Eastern Samar because there was a mining issue there back then. But due to time and distance constraints, we decided to feature my partner's hometown instead - Naga City.
I visited the place between Christmas and New Year of 2001. I stayed there for a couple of days and my partner and I were able to interview Mr. Robredo. Our first meeting was in his office at the City Hall. The first thing I noticed about him was that he was very unassuming. I'm quite familiar with local politics and I know of a lot of mayors who think of themselves as gods who are not accessible to the public. But Mr. Robredo was different. He allowed two naive college students to follow him around and to talk to him despite his busy schedule.
I can't remember details of the interview. But I recall that there were a number of his constituents waiting for him inside his office. They appeared indigent but they were allowed to go inside the mayor's office. I doubt if other politicians do that. I'm sure others would have staff who will screen these visitors. But he accommodated his guests and talked to each one of them.
We joined Mr. Robredo in two events he had to attend. He allowed us to join him in his vehicle. I didn't see any bodyguards. He just had a driver. I don't think other politicians would be as gracious. Others would have found away to shoo us away or we would have been sent to ride the bodyguards' vehicle. But he entertained us.
We witnessed his interaction with the senior citizens of Naga during their Christmas party and his discussion with market vendors. Again, I can't remember the details but I knew that his people loved him genuinely. He was not giving dole outs but I felt their sincerity when they hugged and talked to their mayor. In my province, people would be happy to have a politician attend their party because that would mean gifts or "gala" (money thrown away on the floor while dancing the local dance, curacha). Mr. Robredo gave nothing but they still welcomed him.
I knew he was a good man and I was happy when he was appointed as DILG secretary. It's just unfortunate that he was never confirmed and some controversies surrounded his stint in the department. Controversies that were not of his own doing.
I've been shedding tears the past few days for the good man that we lost. I am amazed at how dignified his family has acted all throughout this ordeal. Nakakahiya nga, mas umiyak pa yata ako kesa sa pamilya nya nung funeral services.
Much has been said about Mr. Robredo. And from everything that I've heard and seen, here are the things that I found really valuable:
1. From former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, we can no longer use "corruption" and "system" as excuses not to do good.
We often hear politicians say that they want to be good but corruption and other evil ways are already ingrained in our system and culture so they can't do anything about them. They have to go with the flow. Sabi nga, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. But Mr. Robredo proved us wrong. As Padaca puts it, hindi siya nilamon ng system, rather, he reformed the system. So dear politicians, if Mr. Robredo was able to do it, there's no reason why you can't do the same.
2. From Fr. Ambrose, the priest who presided over the funeral mass, Jesse died doing what he loved doing most - going home.
According to Fr. Ambrose, very few people die doing what they love doing most. The way Mr. Robredo died was a testament to what mattered most to him - his family. The tributes to him are replete of testimonies that he always found time for his family and he would always rush home during the weekend. He proved to us that indeed, quality rather than the quantity of time that you give your family is more important. Despite his demanding job as a public servant, he was able to raise his family well. His death should teach us how to value our families and how to put them above all else.
3. You don't have to be flashy to be a politician.
In the past, my Tatay told me that to be an effective politician, people have to know your achievements and accomplishments so that your constituents (read: voters) will know that you're doing something. Otherwise, they might think you're just slacking off and you're bound to lose in the next elections. But Mr. Robredo proved us wrong. He just did his job - no frills, no huge announcements, etc. Yet, he succeeded. The Naguenos voted for him because they actually saw him working. I was not aware that he had these full disclosure and seal of good housekeeping policies at the DILG, yet people in the LGUs appreciated that he did this. Mr. Robredo showed us that you don't have to brandish your accomplishments. The people who matter will know whether or not you're doing your job. Never mind the ignorant members of the Commission on Appointments or his other critics. They didn't matter so he didn't care.
4. He died so the whole country may know about him.
Yes, it is unfortunate that he had to die before the entire country can know and appreciate how good a public servant and person he is. But sometimes, things like this need to happen to awaken people and to make them realize that change is possible as long as you have the will to do it. We can only hope that he did not die in vain and we can all carry on what he has started.
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