Noy remembers Robredo, calls August his ‘ghost month’

MANILA, Philippines - An emotional President Aquino yesterday remembered the loved ones he lost in August of different years, including the death of his parents and interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

The President visited the tomb of Robredo in Naga City on his third death anniversary yesterday.

In his speech, the President noted that August seems to be the “ghost month” for his family as many of their loved ones passed away during this month in different years.

Robredo died in a plane crash off the shore of Masbate island on Aug. 18, 2012. Divers found his body at 180 feet below sea level and 800 meters from shore on Aug. 21, the death anniversary of the President’s father, senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Ninoy was assassinated at the Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983 upon his return from self-exile in the United States during the Marcos regime.

His mother, former President Corazon Aquino, died from colon cancer on Aug. 1, 2009. On Monday, Aug. 17, the President’s uncle, former senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino, died from complications from dialysis and multiple organ failure.

“You know, the month of August brings back a lot of tragic memories to me. It was year 1971, Aug. 21 when the Plaza Miranda bombing occurred. Almost all of the leadership of the Liberal Party was gone. One of the most severely hit was the mother of the good Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” the President recounted.

In 1976, the President’s maternal grandfather, Jose Cojuangco died, also on Aug. 21.

The President, Robredo’s wife Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and the Robredo children attended a concelebrated mass for the late interior secretary.

Also present were members of the Cabinet including Roxas, Florencio Abad of budget, Corazon Soliman of social welfare, Joseph Abaya of transportation, Armin Luistro of education, Leila de Lima of justice, Janet Garin of health, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Luwalhati Antonino of Mindanao Development Authority, Joel Rocamora of the Anti-Poverty Commission, peace process adviser Teresita Deles, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Fortunato Peña, Naga City Mayor John Bongat and other local officials were also present. 

While listening to the tributes for Robredo during a multi-sectoral forum to celebrate “Jesse Robredo Day,” the President bowed his head in several instances and appeared pensive.

“It is regrettable that Jesse got to be known outside of Bicol when he already passed away,” Aquino said in his speech.

The President said other Filipinos did not find out right away how Robredo turned Naga City from third class to first class with his effective strategy and strong political will.

“But isn’t it what we can expect from someone who did not like to be an epal (a person who wants a lot of attention) and carry his own bench?” Aquino said in Filipino.

The President recounted that Robredo solved the problem of informal settlers in Naga City and helped even those surrounding his area of jurisdiction so they would not flock to the city but rather have their own livelihood back home.

Aquino also remembered that Robredo went anywhere he was needed and talked to everyone with all honesty and integrity.

“Whenever there was a typhoon, even though the flood was high, he would wear his slippers and visit the victims of the calamity… There was no politicking for him. Even when it comes to jueteng lord, drug lord or his own relatives, he did not think twice being in conflict with them because he knew he was on the right side,” the President added.

 The President said that like his father, Robredo proved that the “Filipino is worth dying for.”

The President admitted he misses Robredo teaching him how to speak Bicolano in the same way that he misses hearing his father passionately sing “Impossible Dream.”

“My father used to sing the Impossible Dream while being detained at Fort Bonifacio. And I was so amazed because it was my father singing. Later on, my siblings said that it was out of tune. But I said, he sang it beautifully. It was either my ears were defective or the ears of my siblings were defective,” Aquino said.

Since Robredo was a member of his official family, the President said he could not forget the tragedy that befell his administration with Robredo’s death.

Aquino also admitted that he did not know how to personally approach the wife and children that Robredo left behind.

At the same time, Aquino said he was thinking how he could possibly bear anything that might happen to other members of his Cabinet, who joined him in the difficulties of public service. – With Celso Amo