‘A brave woman, a great leader’

ZAMBOANGA CITY — "Ele un mojer valiente y buen lider (She was a brave woman and a great leader)."

Speaking in the Chavacano dialect over radio station RMN yesterday, President Arroyo extolled the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat who passed away due to heart failure at the Medical Center Manila last Friday.

"Bien alto mi respeto y appecion con ele. Ele es un simbolo de paz y mejoramiento na ciudad de Zamboanga y entero Mindanao (I have a high respect and affection for her. She was a symbol of peace and development in Zamboanga City and in the entire Mindanao)," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She said the 82-year-old Lobregat epitomized a strong leader who was not cowed by threats of terrorism. A series of bombings rocked this city two years ago.

"Ele ta representa con un comunidad vigilante cay ya ace con el ciudad de Zamboanga alerto y preparao contra terorismo (She represented a vigilant community because she made Zamboanga alert and prepared against terrorism)," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The President said that despite their political differences, Lobregat set aside politics in carrying out her administration’s programs such as giving free education, providing housing to the homeless and maintaining peace and order.

"But most of all, I remember Tita Caling as a model of peace and good leadership," she added, also in Chavacano. — With Marvin Sy