Letter To The Editor: On reversal of fortune: A reaction from the office of Sen. Pangilinan

CEBU, Philippines - This is in response to your editorial last June 22 entitled Reversal of Fortune. As chief of staff and being there during both senatorial campaigns of Senator Kiko Pangilinan, I must express my strong disagreement with your views.

It is disheartening that in the world of politics, and indeed in some media circles, much stock is placed on familiarity of names. While the article readily fling the names of Kris Aquino and the senator's wife negatively, it appears the writer is oblivious of the fact that he himself is guilty of relying solely on familiarity as a basis for being qualified for a post. The article states: "Even by their first names--Manny, Frank, Johnny and Kiko--you already know who the crocodile will eat".

This is not in anyway a disrespect to the achievements of past senate presidents mentioned in your editorial but, essentially what the article is saying is that other able and qualified senators as Jinggoy Estrada, Miguel Zubiri, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, et al, may not be able to run for the post of Senate President because of some vague standards it has set.

Senator Pangilinan hardly rose out of obscurity. He was number one in Cebu during his 2007 Independent senatorial bid, even without the benefit of a huge political machinery.

He was once the Majority Floor leader of the Senate, enabling him to work closely with colleagues in both the majority and minority.

He has effectively, albeit quietly, passed a number of important national legislations, and has engaged in projects that promote the synergy of government and private sector partnerships in bringing about sustainable reforms in the communities.

Finally, President-elect Aquino's candidacy and victory signals the start of a new type of leadership. To sustain this phenomenon, the country needs to see the same type of leaders in all areas of his governance--leaders who engage the private sector and provide alternative yet effective solutions to our country's decades old problems.

It is time for such leaders to be elected in key posts in P.Noy's government.