Yapak ni Jesse

The day before Pope Francis arrived in Manila, I was asked at a TV interview what I thought the Francis effect would be. Why that was my prediction. And how long it would last. The opinions were being sought from a marketing perspective, if Pope Francis was a brand. 

Like every other Filipino, I was suffused with enthusiasm and eagerness for the papal visit. Like every other tepid Catholic, I felt a renewed faith in the Church. But unlike most marketing and communications professionals, I tend to err on the side of optimism. 

Intrepidly I predicted that the Francis effect would be sublime; that Filipinos would become better individuals, emulating the simplicity and sincerity of Lolo Kiko. The Pollyanna in me said that this halo effect would prevail for as long as Francis was the Pope. I got the first two questions right. On the third, it was a good answer for around 5 days. 

Mamasapano happened. 

It caused a number of Filipinos to withdraw their support from the Bangsamoro Basic Law, even if they have not read it in its entirety. Blinkered, offensive, ill-informed anti-Moro prejudice is at its peak. 

Corruption allegations persist against Senior-and-Junior Binay. The son reprised the “Rambotito” act of his father as he barricaded himself in the Makati City Hall using his citizen recruits as a human shield against the suspension order. 

Jeane Catherine Napoles, swanky daughter of infamous alleged scam-queen Janet Napoles, has breezily landed in Manila, successfully dodging a warrant of arrest for tax evasion. She flaunted her Lamborghini and Ritz condo in social media but forgot to pay the proper taxes.  

We look at the 2016-wannabe presidents and our heart sinks even lower. Will the gains under this administration be maintained? 

With all the distress, it is difficult to remember, much less absorb, the Pope’s message to our leaders.  

“It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country.”

Yapak ni Jesse (YnJ) good governance caravan 

In the face of what many consider a dearth of leadership material, I remember one true servant leader. The late Jesse Robredo, the quintessence of good governance and the finest president we should have had. 

On the prodding of Jesse-beilievers, like Milwida Guevarra of Synergeia, Winnie Monsod of the Movement for Good Governance and Filomeno Sta. Ana of Action for Economic Reform – Jesse’s widow, Camarines Sur Congresswoman Leonor “Leni” Robredo was drafted to spread the gospel of good governance as exemplified by her late husband. 

With very little fanfare and media hoopla, the comely congresswoman makes her way through cities like Dipolog, teaching three flagship leadership programs that Robredo used to transform Naga from a third-class municipality to one of the most progressive cities:  

1. Citizen participation through Badyet ng Taongbayan (BaTa), the inspiration of Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB); 
2. Transparency through the Full Disclosure bill which is the predecessor of the Freedom of Information (FOI);
3. Accountability through the Scorecard which teaches citizens to rate and measure their leaders by the yardstick of the 3Es: Excellence of performance, Empowerment of Citizens and Ethical Governance.

YnJ in Dipolog 

Mention Zamboanga and immediately warnings of kidnappings, bombings and MNLF incursions come to mind. But Dipolog City in the north turned out to be a bustling, progressive city that was super clean and organized – at least where it came to women. 

This is credited to the leadership of another power lady, Evelyn Uy, their quiet unassuming Mayor. Her team relocated and provided housing for their informal settlers. In the process, they cleared the boardwalk, rallied the business sector to invest in picturesque shops and restaurants, creating jobs while revealing a most radiant sunset view right next to their plaza.

Coinciding with YnJ was the celebration of Women’s Month. About 3,000 women from various barangays trooped in wearing their theme colors. A palette of cheerful shades from orange, aqua, yellow, violet, red and fuschia filled the convention center. Students in white uniforms completed the huge audience canvas. 

They listened in awe to Leni Robredo. 

She regaled them with stories of Jesse’s experiences in Naga as he pushed for his reform agenda with a lot of resistance at first. But when the people felt the improvement in their lives, the Naga residents supported Robredo to the hilt. They were even willing to pay higher taxes because they saw where their monies went: to better roads, hospitals, schools, public markets and transport terminals. 

Higher office?

During the open forum, one question was raised.

Is Leni Robredo leaving the third district of Camarines Sur to run for higher office? With her usual honesty she replied. She is open for a national position for as long as her district will not fall back in the hands of the political dynasty that has had a stranglehold in their area for 125 years! Leni Robredo unclenched that crushing grip with a landslide victory in 2013. Eighty percent of the votes were cast in her favor.

At the end of the forum, the women patiently waited for their turn to take a photo with Leni. 

The long line reminded me of the masses that queued under the pouring rain to pay their final respects to the other Robredo.

Do Filipinos still feel the Francis effect? Do we still feel blessed, infused with grace from the papal visit? 

With so much cynicism and distrust, Yapak ni Jesse brings a ray of hope. Just maybe in 2016, Pope Francis’ message to our leaders will be heard: “…Marshall the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.” – Rappler.com