There's a Jesse Robredo in each of us

SECRETARY Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) had been finally laid to rest in his beloved hometown in Naga City.

As we laid him to rest, it is our hope that the legacies he had left us behind will not also be put into final rest.

The past days, the entire nation mourned the unfortunate demise of a person who the Filipinos described in superlative words that reflect the kind of public servant and private individual Secretary Jesse was—dedicated, honest, principled and ethical, selfless, and highly committed to utmost degree of integrity and excellence most especially in his public service career, both as former mayor of Naga and secretary of DILG.

What important lessons we can learn from Sec. Jesse?

Foremost, his death has challenged our cynicism that genuine public service has no more place in our country's political life. Sec. Jesse has proven us otherwise. He remained intact—-in his values and ethical principles--amidst the everyday temptations that could easily swallow anyone and be corrupted by the system.

But Jesse Robredo did not just survive but triumphed and shone to greatness and excellence in his public life.

With his passing, we can learn to trust our government again and those who are elected in public office; as much as realize that we have a crucial role to make our government truly work for us hold our leaders accountable for their actions.

Sec. Jesse has so much hope on the capacity of every Filipinos, rich and poor alike, to make this country great again.

Indeed, there is a “Jesse Robredo in each one of us” as we can be heroes in our own ways by emulating the virtues that Sec. Jesse had lived: honesty, sincerity integrity, and humility.

We don't need to become public servants to achieve the highly-elated status of Sec. Jesse.

In our own respective calling—-as teachers, students, and even as private individuals—-we can endeavor to live a life of a “modified Jesse,” a life that is beyond ourselves…as we can be men-and-women-for-others; and do the best that we can in everything we do.

We can turn this sad moment as our best opportunity to start making small ripples of positive change in our communities by honoring these words from Sec. Jesse:

“For this country to succeed, we need to make heroes of the ordinary people, we need to make heroes of ourselves.”

( Speech delivered by Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon during the thanksgiving and tribute to Sec. Jesse Robredo held last Aug. 28, 2012 at the University of the Philippines-Cebu in Lahug)