By AIZA NAMINGIT

QUEZON CITY — “Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo may have passed away, but that does not mean that good governance programs should die along with him,” says Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat.

Baguilat, a close personal friend of Robredo, said that he hoped the next secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) would share Robredo’s values of good governance.

“Jesse’s good governance measures in DILG, particularly his seal of good housekeeping program for local government units that are doing well, should be continued. This is our best tribute to him and the work that he has done,” said Baguilat, who was one of the first members of the Kaya Natin movement for good governance, along with Robredo.

“The next DILG Secretary will for sure not be exactly like Jesse, but at least he or she should espouse the same values. But it will be difficult to find in this generation of leaders someone like Jesse Robredo,” said Baguilat.

Baguilat added that he is consumed by a profound sadness that would linger, sadness not just because he lost a good friend and a politician that he has always admired, but rather a deeper sadness for the country for it lost a great Filipino.

“He died in the middle of the rejuvenation of good governance in DILG. I want to extend my condolences to his family whom he deeply loved, much more than his work. The circumstances of his death mirror how he lived – dedicated to his job and yet valuing family above everything else,” said Baguilat.

He said that he would always remember Robredo for being a politician that embodied servant leadership and good governance.

He proved to all that good governance is indeed possible in the Philippines, despite the entrenched culture of corruption.

“Aside from being a colleague in Kaya Natin and the Liberal Party, I would also remember him for having helped indigenous peoples in their battle to get mandatory IP representation in legislative councils,” said Baguilat, who chairs the House Committee on National Cultural Communities.

“But above all, we should all continue his fight to weed out this culture of corruption and patronage, especially at the DILG. I also hope that the next secretary will minimize politicking and really do what the DILG is supposed to do and that is to enable LGUs to better serve the Filipino people,” he added. # nordis.net