Philippines loses a great Filipino who would have been President

At 9:15 yesterday morning, Raul Roco bade his beloved country his last farewell.

Like the rest of our people, we deeply mourn the great loss of a great Filipino who would have been the much-needed President of this besieged nation.

Armed only with his sincere commitment and love for his people and this country, Raul Roco sought the highest position of the land. He wanted to be President, not to be President for the sake of being President but to be the sincere public servant of his people.

He did not want to be President to be remembered or noticed as the Lord's anointed one to lead the Filipino people to their deliverance. He wanted to be President so that, together with the Filipino people, through united, diligent, honest effort, this country could be delivered not by one but by all united Filipinos and to be led by the anointing Lord, not by any self-proclaimed anointed one.

Despite so much lack of funds and the absence of tight trapo (traditional political) networks throughout the country, Roco ended honestly as the clear winner in the hearts and minds of those who voted for him, especially the youth.

Roco did not need a Garcillano nor tied local and international political funds and patronage to speak to his people, to woo them to join him in his crusade to turn this country around, with dignity, with honesty, and with pride.

He only had his undying faith and trust that together with his people, they could forge a better, more prosperous Philippines. He only had his genuine love for the Filipinos to offer, even at the expense of his health and life.

He possessed truth that shone through. He could have kept the truth of his terminal cancer from his people to increase his chances of being elected President. He chose the path of truth, however, even if that meant the end of his political life, of his bid to become this nation's President.

Ah, if only God spared Roco. If only God instead, sooner takes the pretentious, the insincere, the dishonest, the untruthful megalomaniac leaders of this land!

The best, however, are meant for the Lord and His Kingdom. Raul Roco stood tall among this country's political giants. Now, Raul Roco stands even taller amid divine giants, under the incomparable and eternal leadership and care of the Lord.

Paalam, Ginoong Raul Roco. Paalam, among pinalanggang Presidente Roco.

In our hearts, you were more than Senator. You will forever be our President, one fellow Filipino that this nation would have been proudest to have at this beleaguered historical moment.

While we grieve and mourn now, we are also consoled and assured that you will exert your best to bring to the Lord the sincere prayer of this nation for a truthful, sincere leadership. We know that you will continue to seek the best welfare of our people where you are now.

Just as you never gave up on our nation, on our Filipino people, we continue to keep your love, your idealism and your dream of a better Philippines for our people in our hearts.

While we pray for your eternal rest and peace with the heavenly powers, do join us in prayer that this nation be led by one like you, noble, ever-faithful, ever-true, ever trusting of the inner wealth, faith and diligence of our Filipino people.

Paalam, Presidente Raul Roco. At maraming salamat. Hinding-hindi ka namin malilimutan.

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