The system of checks and balances is indispensable in a democracy. Somehow, there must be leaders from the opposition groups to articulate and ventilate the abuses and wrongdoing of the political party or parties in power. This is true in the House of Representatives, as it is true in the Philippine Senate.
Unfortunately in the coming senatorial election, there are not too many dignified, well-meaning, respectable opposition candidates to choose from. Most have their own selfish, personal agenda to promote. Which is why it will be very difficult for concerned citizens to put in a respectable number of opposition senatorial candidates in their ballots.
There are a few silver linings, though, that can help bring about the desired check-and-balance system in our democratic system. There are some stars in the opposition slate that deserve serious consideration. And it will be good, for the sake of democracy, to insert them in the voters’ ballot.
If there is one senatorial candidate in the opposition ticket who is eminently qualified to become a Senator, he is none other than the son of Baler, Quezon – Edgardo "Ed" Angara, former executive secretary, former Senate president, former agriculture secretary, and holder of many other sensitive posts in the public service. His image is so vastly different from that of the Dirty 11 who voted NO to the opening of the second bank envelope. And he is no lapdog, no
tuta or puppet, no mad apologist, of the Erap regime.
Yes, Angara is and has always been his own man. How he rose from the life of a commoner to the pinnacle of success is one of the truly great stories in the political landscape. Indeed, that story needs telling and retelling, especially in the context of the nation’s short memory.
During the past 15 years, Angara’s career in the legislative and executive branches of government was marked by achievements he can be proud of. The breadth and scope of his work covered landmark legislation that changed the face of national concerns, and solid policies that led to the modernization of Philippine agriculture.
As a two-term senator serving for 12 years, Angara’s output included the Free High School Act, the creation of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education, and the law providing assistance to private education. The EDCOM Report on the state of Philippine education was also a landmark initiative of Angara. Here, Angara’s goal was the empowerment of people through education.
Angara also led the way in legislation for health services. PhilHealth, Generic Drugs Act, and the Magna Carta for Health Workers were among the major laws authored or co-sponsored by Angara. Ed’s concern for health services is easy to explain, considering that his father Juan Angara was a nurse-dentist, while his mother was a nurse-wife, both of whom practiced their profession in the town of Baler.
The country’s marginalized sectors, agricultural growth, increased food production, fair trade for the Philippines in the world market – all these and more were targets that Angara set his eyes on in his legislative and executive work. His last job – his 13 days as executive secretary – magnified the difference a sober executive makes during times of crises. His last work in Malacañang was to ensure a bloodless, peaceful transition, from one administration to another. Now, Ed Angara is running anew for the Senate, and many hope and think he is going to make it.
During the past several years, a kind gentleman, Mr. H, who spends most of his time in the United States, has been a generous contributor to the Good Samaritan Foundation. His wife, too, Mrs. H., is equally concerned with the plight of our less fortunate fellowmen who need help. How many times has Mrs. H., gone out of her way, wading through massive traffic jams, just to reach out to a poor soul in distress.
A few days ago, Mr. H. sent P100,000 to the Good Samaritan Foundation, suggesting that P25,000 of which might be given to Dr. Mia Garcia, the young pediatrician who is suffering from lupus. The amount of P25,000 has already been remitted to Dr. Mia, who presently resides in Pagaspas, Tanauan, Batangas, who badly needs it to buy her daily dosage of medicines.
Let me thank, too, the RCBC for donating four bi-monthly donations of P25,000 each, or a total of P100,000, to the Good Samaritan Foundation. RCBC’s demonstration of corporate social responsibility, as manifested through its regular remittances to the GSFoundation for the past several years, is genuinely appreciated.
A million thanks also go to a lady named GLORIA, obviously a mechanical engineer who is a member of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, and who recently attended the 1st Southern Mindanao Conference of the association at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City. This kind lady sent P2,000 (BPI 00041532).
Let me acknowledge with thanks the following kindhearted souls who lent a helping hand to the Good Samaritan Foundation:
* NELZA Development Corporation of Ayala-Alabang, P2,000 (FEBTC 0005403277)
* C.H. of BelAir Village, Makati City, P3,000 (Global 0010572)
* Many Verceles of Florida, USA, P5,000 (via door-to-door)
* Anonymous lady of Murphy, Quezon City, P2,000
A young doctor from Makati Medical Center, Dr. Art C. Libao, the organizer of the very successful Pedya Kamp project for special children, is presently training volunteers for Pedya Kamp 2001 which will be held in Cagayan de Oro City. Recently, the volunteers had their first training session at the Makati Medical Center, courtesy of Dr. Raul G. Fores, MMC president and medical director.
Dr. Libao, who has been implementing Pedya Kamp through his non-stock, non-profit foundation called God’s Special Children, asked me to thank the following government officials of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental who are helping prepare for the project: Diosita Andot, provincial administrator; Emilia Andrea, provincial social welfare officer; Belen Galdo, city social welfare officer; and Misses Pana, Tagarda, Maniegro, and Acera. "These are the unsung heroes who pave the way for the special children of Pedya Kamp who will converge in Cagayan de Oro," said Dr. Libao.
My e-mail address:
<jwalker@tri-isys.com>