Napakabuting tao. Napakagaling na tao.
Nag-umpisa siya sa lingkod-bayan bilang meyor ng Naga City, ang “maogmang lugar” o masayang lugar na humakot ng mga international at local award para sa kaayusan at pag-unlad na tinatamasa pa rin ng lungsod at ng mga naninirahan at bumibisita rito. Nang maging kalihim ng Department of Interior and Local Government, in-apply niya at pinalawak pa ang mga natutunan sa people empowerment at good governance.
Bunga ng kanyang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga civil society group at people’s organization, at maging sa iba’t-ibang sangay ng pamahalaan ang kanyang Naga City People’s Council at ang on-site, in-city housing — dalawa lang sa kanyang mga iniwan para sa bayan, mga buháy na patunay ng kanyang kabutihan at galing.
Ipinakita niya na ang paglagay ng tiwala sa isang naliwanagan at napakilos na taumbayan ang tunay na daan tungong kaunlaran at pagbabago. Sa panahon ng ligalig tulad ng sa ngayon, dapat mangibabaw ang kanyang napatunayang simulain na nasa malawak na bilang ng mga kumikilos na mamamayang tumataya at nanininidigan ang kaligtasan ng ating bayan.
Sobrang miss ka namin, Jesse.
**
What a good person. What a great person.
He started his life in public service as mayor of Naga City, the “maongmang lugar” or happy place that collected countless international and local awards for peace and order and development that the city and its residents and visitors continue to enjoy. When he became Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, he applied and even expanded what he learned in people empowerment and good governance.
The engagements between his office and civil society groups, people’s organizations, and various government agencies resulted in the Naga City People’s Council and the on-site, in-city housing — just two of his legacies, living proof of his goodness and greatness.
He showed that putting our trust on an enlightened citizenry is the true path to development and transformation. In these challenging times, we will use his proven principle that bold and honest people, mobilized in their vast numbers, will save our nation.
Jesse, you are terribly missed.