MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Tuesday thanked his colleague, his friend and his "brother" - the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo for a "mission accomplished."
In a eulogy speech, Aquino recalled how hard-working and how dedicated to public service Robredo was.
"Ang sabi po sa pangalawang liham ni Paul to Timothy, Chapter 4, Verses 6 to 7: 'For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…' Angkop na angkop po ito kay Jesse; mission accomplished na siya sa mundong ito. Marapat lang na matamasa na niya ang mga gantimpala ng isang buo at mabuting buhay, sa piling ng Diyos Ama," Aquino said.
"Nasa hanay na po si Jesse ng mga bayaning sumusubaybay sa atin mula sa kalangitan, at nagbibigay-lakas sa atin upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang mga mabuting gawain," the President added.
Aquino said that those who loved Robredo need not cry over the late secretary's passing.
"Kaya’t huwag na po tayong lumuha. Sa halip, magpasalamat tayo. Sa maikling panahong narito siya sa mundo, tayo pa ang nabiyayaan ng pagkakataong makapiling si Jesse Manalastas Robredo. Paalam, Jesse. Sa ngalan ng sambayanan maraming, maraming salamat," he said.
Aquino also told the congregation at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Naga City that Robredo was able to improve the lives of Naga residents and showed how change is possible.
"Hindi siya naging kuntento sa status quo; pinatunayan niya sa Naga na posible ang pagbabago. Posibleng madaig ang sistemang matagal nang nangingibabaw; posibleng madaig ang mga pulitikong napakatagal namayagpag at kinasangkapan ang pusisyon para sa pansariling interes. Trailblazer po si Jesse sa tuwid na daan. Pinatunayan niyang puwede palang magtagumpay sa pulitika nang hindi nagiging trapo," Aquino added.
Robredo served as mayor of Naga from 1988 until he was appointed DILG chief in 2010. During his term, he was able to restore Naga's status as a first class city.
Aquino said Robredo was committed to serve and treated every matter as urgent.
"Iba po talaga si Jesse. Kapag mayroon tayong matinding problemang kinakaharap, palagi naman pong nandiyan ang mga taong sumosuporta at magsasabing, 'Nasa likod mo kami.' Pero si Jesse po, kabilang sa mga bibihirang tao na ang sasabihin, 'Sir, ako na lang ang haharap, ako na lang ang pu-pronta.' Hindi po nasa likod. Talagang kasama sa pilosopiya niya sa buhay ang hindi maging pabigat sa kapwa; ang palaging mag-ambag ng pinakamalaki niyang maiaambag, o lagpas pa, para makahanap ng solusyon," Aquino added.
The president also thanked Robredo's family for sharing their patriarch to the entire nation, adding that the DILG chief would always opt to spend his free time with his family and decline Aquino's invitation for a weekend dinner or lunch.
"Kay Leni, at kina Aika, Tricia, at Jillian: Sa totoo lang, medyo nahihiya ako sa inyo. Kayo ang pamilya; sigurado akong pinakamabigat ang kalungkutang nararamdaman ninyo ngayon. Pero talagang pinapahanga n’yo kami, dahil kayo pa ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin, kayo pa ang nagbibitbit sa amin," Aquino said.
Robredo's death, the president added, was not just the loss of his family but the loss of the entire nation for losing a leader.
Before the eulogy, Aquino conferred Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of chief commander on Robredo for his “life achievement in public service.”
From the Basilica Minore, the body of Robredo will be transferred to the Funeraria Imperial where it will be cremated.