Sexy, Innocent Child-Woman

A Tribute to Roco

I was at work the day I found out that Former Senator Raul Roco had passed away. I took a much-needed break by going online, and I found out that Roco had died of cardiac arrest after battling prostate cancer. For the first time in my life, I found myself genuinely affected by the death of a politician. I was close to tears, literally, but my supervisor suddenly called for me at siyempre dapat poised ang beauty ko pagharap ko sa kanya, so napigilan ko ang luha ko.

I voted for Roco (as an overseas absentee voter) during last year's elections, even if relatives and acquaintances alike told me not to waste my vote because there was no way he would win, and insinuated that I would be better off voting for GMA to make sure FPJ wouldn't win (in retrospect: well, GMA and Garci did a good job of making sure that wouldn't happen, didn't they?). I would have voted for Roco during the 1998 elections, too, if my family and I hadn't spent the summer in Tacloban, where I'm not a registered voter. People can say what they want about Roco's temper, but of all the politicians, he was the most credible. He delivered, period. I also gave him credit for his more progressive ideas about the empowerment of women, as well as youth, in society--which stands in stark contrast to the way most of the idiots in the Philippine government undermine women's issues or subscribe to a watered-down version of feminism. I respected him for his principles, which he held on to when politicians are too quick to trade their principles for popularity, votes, and of course, concessions.

The papers say it all. Roco was the best president the Philippines never had. His passing came at a time when he was much needed. He will be missed. May he rest in peace, and may we continue his work.

Roco, hindi ka nag-iisa. Mabuhay po kayo!

***

Let me end by posting this article from the Inquirer:

Roco hailed as the best president RP never had
First posted 01:16am (Mla time) Aug 06, 2005
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. , Philip C. Tubeza, Michael Lim UbacInquirer News Service

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=45976

THE BEST PRESIDENT the country never had, a patriot and a brilliant leader.

Crossing political lines, lawmakers yesterday showered praises on Raul Roco.

A known ally, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., said that if history would later view Roco as the "best president this country never had, no one will contest such a judgment."

He said Roco had set "the template on excellence and ethics in public service such that future aspirants for the presidency must demonstrate proof that they are as good as him.''

President Macapagal-Arroyo, however, did not see it fit to personally issue a statement on the death of one of her rivals for the presidency last year, perhaps because a few weeks before his death, Roco had joined the clamor for the President to resign and even called for snap elections to solve the political crisis.

Instead, Ms Arroyo yesterday ordered Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye to issue Malacañang's message on Roco's passing: "We mourn the death of Sen. Raul Roco, the true patriot and freedom fighter. He was an exemplary lawyer, legislator and leader who inspired many with not just his words but with his actions. His passing is a great loss for our nation.''

Vice President Noli de Castro, who returned to the country yesterday from Saudi Arabia where he represented the country in the burial of King Fahd, paid tribute to Roco as "one of the country's ace legislators. He consistently strived to provide meaningful and beneficial laws."

Former President Corazon Aquino yesterday extended her condolences to Roco's widow and children. "I can imagine the pain they are feeling now. I would also like to thank Raul for all he had done for the country," Aquino said.

Special place in history

Former President Fidel Ramos said Roco created for himself "a special place in Philippine history ... He was a brilliant lawyer as well as an outstanding senator ... I deeply regret his passing. I condole with the family," Ramos said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Sen. Joker Arroyo, Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan and Sen. Manuel Villar mourned Roco's passing and expressed condolences to his family.

"Raul is a big loss to the country. He was not afraid to take unpopular stands, and for what he believed was right. He was not afraid to swim against the tide. And for that, Raul had a good life,'' Drilon said.

"Raul Roco was a conscientious lawmaker. He was passionate in his views. We will miss his trenchant mind,'' Pimentel said.

"Raul Roco, a giant of a leader, could but did not become President,'' Joker Arroyo said. "He left a very successful law practice and entered public service because he believed and rightly so, that for one to get his ideas on governance implemented, he must be an effective leader by being democratically and honestly elected to high public office ... He sought to combine his idealism with politics, a difficult combination, compromise being the hallmark of politics. He was uncompromising in his resistance to separate the two. That was his virtue as a true leader, his failing as a politician,'' Arroyo said of his "town mate and street mate.''

"Raul's brand of leadership is just among the many legacies that he left behind. As a candidate in the last presidential election, he was the first to concede defeat-a mark of a true gentleman and statesman,'' Villar said.

Pangilinan said Roco remained a pillar of courage and strength as he fought his battle with cancer. "He is irreplaceable as he was sincere and earnest public servant who loved the Filipino especially his home, Bicol. My prayers and thoughts are with his family as we pray for his eternal repose,'' he said.

Opposition Sen. Panfilo "Ping'' Lacson, a rival of Roco in last year's elections, praised the former senator for showing the same level of dedication in every government post he held.

At the Senate, Roco was credited with authorizing major pieces of legislation, mainly the Central Bank Act, which introduced reforms in the central banking system; and earned the moniker "honorary woman'' for his pro-women bills.

He also authored the Women in Nation Building Law, the Nursing Act, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, the Anti-Rape Law and the Child and Family Courts Act, among others.

Fellow presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas said Roco attempted to rekindle hope in this country and bring reform to the government.

"It's equally saddening that he died at the dawn of truth, when all the lies and fraud committed against the Filipino people in last year's elections where he ran as President are being exposed," said Villanueva, spiritual leader of Jesus Is Lord Fellowship.

Few good men

Speaker Jose de Venecia said the country mourned the passing of a former colleague in the House of Representatives who was a "brilliant lawmaker and a former presidential contender who took pride in his work in advancing the rights of Filipino women and children."

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said Roco was "probably the most qualified President the country never had."

His presence had been and would be sorely missed in these trying times, said Casiño.
House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles said Roco was one of the "few good men'' in Philippine politics who inspired the country's youth, noting that he was a bar topnotcher and human rights lawyer.

Intellectual giant

"Senator Roco has left a legacy of kindling the fire of political idealism and activism among our youth and our women who idolize him for setting the right standard for good governance,'' Nograles said.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda remembered Roco as a "good boss and very generous to his staff ... The country just lost an intellectual giant whose voice could have helped clarify the current anguish of our troubled national conscience. I was fortunate to have walked with one gentle giant in a landscape scattered with the debris of broken political hubris," he said.

Salceda raved about his unique ability among politicians to reduce complex issues into easily digestible ideas to help the public's understanding and ease the passage of bills; his unimpeachable decency and impeccable diligence in public service.

Department of Education Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Fe Hidalgo, who served under Roco, said the former senator was a "creative leader."

"He was a brilliant man with a good heart for the less fortunate. Despite his short tenure as Education Secretary, he was able to accomplish much, particularly in relation to the process of implementing changes which he had many creative solutions," Hidalgo reminisced.

DepEd Information Office chief Demy Manuel said Roco was a "strong and effective leader . . . He has proven this with his automated machine project. This led to the regionalization of the payroll system,'' she added.

found herself @ 6:09 PM