PaglaumIssue No. 47 HOPE FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION The ofϐicial publication of the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance September 2020 PPILG-HSFILG-HSF FORGEFORGE PPARTNERSHIP:ARTNERSHIP: TTOWARDSOWARDS TTHEHE AATTAINMENTTTAINMENT OOFF A WWELL-INFORMEDELL-INFORMED PPUBLICUBLIC

PILG Program Manager Clarisse Aquino (holding mic) reports to the Chairwoman of Hanns Seidel Foundation Prof. Ursula Männle the activities conducted by PILG and HSF for the awareness of the public by means of public fora, roundtable discussions and study tour on the issue of federalism from year 2016 up to the present, during the HSF celebration of its 40 yearsof development cooperation in the at the Dusit Thani Hotel, August 8, 2019. Story on page 4 Nene Pimentel quotes: SSTRICTERTRICTER INSIDE: (Here we lift some notable quotes taken from articles BBARANGAYARANGAY LLAWSAWS PILG-HSF forge and speeches of the late Senate President Nene Pimentel Partnership: VVSS VVIOLATORSIOLATORS OONN commenting on burning issues then, which have remained towards the FFACEACE MMASKSASKS relevant in today’s events). attainment of a well-informed public 1 By Clarisse Aquino Anti terror law needed, but….. Stricter barangay In order to prevent the rise “The country needs an anti- unless allowed to flourish of infections of Covid 19 laws vs violators on terrorism law. under an umbrella of law and face masks 1 in the barangay level, the order or to use a much-abused “The reason is that terrorism Nene Pimentel barangay sanggunian can buzzword, security. enact their own ordinances is now the scourge of the quotes: Anti terror to penalize violators on the world. “Since terrorism feeds on law needed, but….. 1 force, it must be met by protocol requiring the use of “Terrorism threatens every Nurse’s death government counterforce face masks. nation – rich or poor - spotlights LGUs to beat it. Hence, our law Face masks have been imminently, and directly. To capacity vs Covid 3 us, who believe in freedom enforcers must be equipped universally seen as a major Oscar and democracy, it must be with the necessary tools to deterrent against the spread detect terrorism, prevent Cruz 6 of the Covid 19 virus. met decisively and legally if we are to keep our people terrorist acts before they are Pepe Pestaño 7 In order to ensure that secure in the exercise of their implemented, arrest and jail barangay residents never the terrorists. Remembering rights and freedoms. People’s Senator Nene: fail to wear masks, this can rights and freedoms lose value Turn to page 2 My Story 8 Turn to page 2 2 Paglaum September 2020

Nene Pimentel quotes: Anti terror law needed, but….. From Page 1 “If we are to facilitate the fight against terrorism, we need laws that allow our law enforcers to use methods that are adequate to combat terrorists in their game. If terrorists use computers, cell phones, emails, and the banks to ply their nefarious trade, our law enforcers must be given the right to use sophisticated methods to detect, impede and prevent the former’s ability to do so. “It is necessary, however, that law enforcers strictly adhere to the anti- terrorist methods that they may use in accordance with law. And those ways must not be inconsistent with the basic human rights and the fundamental civil liberties of our people. That said, people must also understand that their right to be secure in their daily life is also paramount.” (Excerpt from Nene Pimentel’s speech The late former Senator Nene Pimentel during the deliberation of Anti-terrorism bills at the at the Senate November 10, 2005) Senate Session Hall, November 10, 2005.

Stricter barangay laws vs violators on face masks generated by fines as incentives. From Page 1 Such practical ordinances can be strengthened by the enactment of a (P1,000) for violation of barangay autonomously enable barangay barangay ordinances. ordinances” authorities to make sure their respective barangays are safer against the spread of Barangay ordinances may impose the Thus a barangay may enact an Covid 19. penalty of fines not exceeding P1,000 ordinance requiring the wearing of against those found to violate the face mask by everyone who enters requirement of using face masks. the jurisdiction of a barangay. This can be seen as a potent tool of And should anyone be caught barangay authorities to keep their not wearing facemask within the The offi cial publication of the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance respective areas safer from the invasion territory of a barangay, a fine not Editorial Director Jay Dejaresco of Covid 19. exceeding P1,000 may be imposed Section 391 of Republic Act No. by the ordinance. Contributing Writers Clarisse Aquino Pauline Bautista 7610 otherwise known a the local To ensure that the ordinance is Alex Brillantes government code authorizes the strictly enforced, barangay officials sanggunian barangays as the including deputized barangay local Artist/Photograper reyronda legislative bodies to “prescribe fines law enforcers and tanods may be Publisher Gwen Gana Editorial Consultant Alex Brillantes not exceeding one thousand pesos given a portion of the revenues Editorial Staff Clarisse Aquino

Pimentel Institute for Leadership & Governance Unit 403, Maga Centre, 1016 San Antonio Street, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City 1232 Telephone No.: 8853-0224 to 25 Email: rcroffi [email protected] Website: www.pimentelinstitute.org

Disclaimer: This publication was produced with the support of Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance (PILG) and do not necessarily Image taken from The Philippine Star: A man rests on his motorcycle parked in front of a public refl ect the views and opinion of HSF. service announcement. September 2020 Paglaum 3 NNURSE’SURSE’S DDEATHEATH SSPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHTS LLGUSGUS CAPACITYCAPACITY VVSS CCOVIDOVID By Jay Dejaresco

LGU CAPACITY VS COVID 19

Image taken from freepik.com

The tragic Covid-related death of Chairman, an L300 makeshift ambulance The ambulance reached PGH-ER shortly a retired nurse in Laguna recently came, with only the driver wearing a very with my wife almost dying as her oxygen has spotlighted capability issues of good PPE, designed to be worn in an ICU level have dropped at 80%, prompting to local governments in the country in setting. Sadly the driver was not prepared give her respirator and emergency treatment. effectively coping against a deadly for Covid patient rescue. He was not After hospital endorsement, Dodot was virus which to this day continues to even accompanied by a trained medical Swab tested again, but official test results wreck havoc on the health and lives of worker to assist my wife in her journey and found her negative against COVID. After 2 many of our people. endorsement to the hospital. days she was Swab tested again also with negative result. There is thus a need for local The most frustrating part is, the ambulance governments to heighten their had no ventilation, very hot (no AC), no My wife was diagnosed to have a very capabilities in fighting Covid-19. oxygen, having a stretcher without bedding severe pneumonia, making her intubated Making the rounds of social media & safety body strap. Instead of medics to for the next 10 days. As her oxygen was the story of how a retired nurse take my wife from the house, I took my level could not normalize, she received from Alaminos Laguna, Dorothy wife using her wheel chair and help her treatment as if she is a COVID patient. If Hernandez Tolentino suffered while go inside of the ambulance with the driver not only for her strong will to survive and being brought from her hometown in simply looking & waiting to close the rear the many people praying for her safety Laguna to Metro for treatment. door of the van. He did not even bother and recovery, my wife could have easily to check the safety condition of my wife Her husband Art Tolentino recounted given up her life. Her mind is so strong but whether she is seating or lying safely on the ordeal when his wife Dorothy, her body becomes weaker until she gave the stretcher before closing the ambulance a cancer patient, tested positive for up early morning of Sunday, Aug. 23, door. Without seeing a support medic, I Covid on August 7, 2020. 2020 due to cardiac arrest.” sent my daughter to accompany her mom Art Tolentino wrote on his wife’s in the trip to endorse her health condition The incident highlighted the need struggle: at UP-PGH, which is supposedly not my to provide more resources also to “On her 5th day of isolation after daughter’s job. the local government units and their health facilities to equip them with the breakfast, we heard her coughing and From our barangay, my wife experienced so complaining of difficulty in breathing. necessary facilities to assist patients much difficulties on the very poor condition infected by virus. So we requested assistance for life saving of the ambulance, moving so fast, without ambulance from SPC District RHU and oxygen and with her body shaking due to While the apparent epicenter of covid Alaminos Health Clinic. Unfortunately, her unsafe seating condition. My daughter seems to be in the Metro Manila area, it took more than 6 hours waiting for finally fixed her on the stretcher as the as seen by a continued recording of the Provincial ambulance but could not vehicle reached and passed along SLEX, daily infections, the local governments obtain release of approval. with her arms holding her mom to prevent need attention to enable them to be After follow ups with the Municipal Health her from being thrown away due to speedy more effective in responding to the basic Officer with the assistance from our Brgy. ambulance. needs of those infected in the provinces. 4 Paglaum September 2020 PILG-HSF forge Partnership: towards the attainment of a well-informed public From Page 1 By Clarisse Aquino Federal Republic The Pimentel Institute for Leadership of Germany with and Governance (PILG) and the its main office in Hanns Seidel Foundation-Philippines Munich, Germany. (HSF) have strengthened their It supports programs linkages in their common resolve to and projects in promote and educate the people on more than 60 the advantage of a federal system of countries worldwide. government The international The PILG-HSF collaboration cooperation program gained momentum in the last few of HSF is funded years when the government issued by official sources, a call for nationwide discussions on namely, the Federal the shift towards a federal system of Government of government in the Philippines. Germany, the European Union The late founder of the Pimentel and the Government Institute for Leadership and of the Free State of Governance, former Senate President Bavaria/Germany. Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr., had been a PILG President Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana (right) and Program Manager Clarisse Aquino (left) posed at the banner of HSF-PILG lifelong advocate of federalism as a It has been active in Parnership during the 40 years Hanns Seidel Foundation in the way to break the centralized manner the Philippines since Philippines at Dusit Thani Hotel, August 8, 2019. of weilding political power and 1979, extending distribution of the nations resources development assistance to Philippine information activities on federalism. that has hampered the growth partner organizations mainly in the The main objective is to provide and economic development in the field of human resource and policy broader and deeper knowledge of countryside. development ranging from training the philosophy and the principles of and education, community-based and It was in 2016, when PILG forged federalism as a system of government top-level policy dialogues, research a partnership with Hanns Seidel and help key representatives of and publication, international/regional Foundation, focusing on a campaign to government and members of society exchange, to project development. support of the Philippine government’s gain a better and more comprehensive (source: HSF website) information drive about federalism understanding of federalism. with a parallel thrust towards a shift to The Hanns Seidel Foundation headed From 2016 to 2019 joint activities a federal system of government. by its Country Representative to the were held. More than 42 public fora, Philippines, Mr. Gotz Heinicke, in Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) round table discussions, workshops cooperation with the Pimentel Institute is a non-stock, not-for-profit, non- and a youth camp were conducted. for Leadership and Governance governmental entity (NGO) organized Each forum was attended by over one (PILG) is supporting education and and existing under the laws of the hundred participants.

HSF Country’s Representative, Gotz Heinicke (standing) deliver the Forum on Federalism, a continuing program of the PILG and HSF to opening remarks at the Forum on Federalism and the Bangasamoro a well-informed the public. The late Senator Nene Pimentel discussed Organic Law at Plaza Ibarra, Quezon City on December 17. 2018. the Draft Bayanihan Federal Constitution at Cagayan de Oro City. September 2020 Paglaum 5

With the Philippine Delegations to the International Munich Forum on Federalism with foreign speaker Dr. Andreas Heinemann Gruder, Federalism Days, November 11-15, 2019 at the HSF Munich Senior Researcher, Bonn Inter- national Center For Conversion (at the center) Conference Center in Germany. (L-R) HSF Representative to the together with HSF Resident Representative Götz Heinicke and PILG Chairman, Philippines Gotz Heinicke. PPI Executive Director, Ariel Sebillino. HSF Nene Pimentel, at UP NCPAG, Diliman, Quezon City. Head of South and Southeast Asia Division Institute of International Cooperation Stefan Burkhart,UNDP Program Analyst Mohammad Al- Amin Jukipli. To further broaden such information sponsorship of the HSF, PILG was federalism. dissemination, the HSF also re- able to send 7 delegates to EURAC During this pandemic, the most printed 3,200 copies of the book Research Winter School of Federalism applicable method to push the entitled, “Federalizing the Philippines: in Austria and Italy. A Primer.”, and additional 400 re- federalism programs is through online Two delegates were also sent at seminar. printed copies for this year 2020. Federalism Summer School in They also supported the printing of Canterbury in UK in 2019. A Zoom application intends to invite participants to join the seminar. 3,000 copies of flyer of the ConCom The delegates sent abroad will draft distributed during activities. constitute of the Core Group/ Forum, roundtable discussions and With its vision to be an internationally- Alumni on federalism, and task to newsletter information are lined-up recognized provider of training help us disseminate information for this year activities. program, again, with the support and consultations on the issue of Key to an informed society is the of the HSF the PILG were able to federalism. continuation of discussions and send 7 delegates to Information and Immense obstacles to the adoption exchanges of ideas on federalism in Exchange Visit on Federalism in of the federal system is the lack of various platforms so the laudable Germany in 2016, and 6 delegates understanding about the whys and benefits and advantages of a federal to the International Munich Days in wherefores of the system. 2017 and 2019 respectively. form of government would be The PILG and HSF to continue their understood and appreciated by the From year 2017 to 2020 with the mission to educate the people about people.

To further intensify the program on Federalism, HSF re-printed Another progrgram supported by the HSF is the Batang Transformer Youth Leadership the book entittled Federalizing the Philippines: A Primer, for Camp, held every year at the Phillip Sanctuary, Antipolo City. distribution after each forum. 6 Paglaum September 2020 AARCHBISHOPRCHBISHOP OOSCARSCAR CCRUZRUZ By Jay Dejaresco The Pimentel Institute for Leadership Community expands in and Governance honors the late breadth to our respective Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, a leading neighborhoods, to society, figure in promoting and upholding and to the entire country. social values in Philippine society. In his talk, Archbishop While a stalwart in the Catholic Cruz involved the youth church, Bishop Oscar Cruz was bettter participants in a workshop known to be a fighter of society’s evils in groups where they were like illegal gambling and corruption in made to answer three government. questions, which are: “Ano The outspoken archbishop died last ang ibig sabihin ng batang August 26 at the age of 85. transformer (What is meant The fiery Cruz was a regular speaker by Batang Transformer)?” of one of the major projects of PILG “Ano ang ibig sabihin ng which is the “Batang Transformer” a community (What is meant movement to foster understanding community)?” “Ano ang between young Filipinos from diverse ibig sabihin ng commonality director of the CBCP Legal Office. social and religious backgrounds. (What is meant by commonality)?” What his biodata failed to say is that Arcbishop Cruz is remembered in Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz was born Archbishop Cruz is articulate and PILG as the man who advocated Nov. 17, 1934 in Balanga, . witty, able to capture his audiences human commonalities in the midst of He was ordained a priest on Feb. with his ability to explain in simple a society full of diversity. 8, 1961 and ordained a bishop on terms such dense subject matter as Outspoken retired Archbishop Oscar May 3, 1976. He served as auxiliary Cannon Law, of which he is an expert. Cruz emphasized “commonality in bishop of Manila from 1976 until Archbishop Cruz, who has always community” during the our Batang he was appointed Archbishop of stood for the truth, is perhaps best Transformer Seminars. San Fernando, . His next known for his valor. He has opposed appointment was as Archbishop of the dissolution of marriages when Archbishop Cruz simplified the Lingayen-Dagupan on July 15, 1991. concept of commonality before youth some solons wanted to impose a 10- There he established Caritas Dagupan leaders attending the four-day camp, year validity on marriage contracts, to help give the poor livelihood and who came from different cultural and and more recently, despite death health projects. The prelate was religious backgrounds. threats, he exposed and opposed instrumental in the formulation of the proliferation of jueteng (illegal He explained commonality refers to an Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan for gambling). the usual sayings we all encounter like Lingayen-Dagupan. “All for one. One for all”, or “United Archbishop Cruz retired on Sept. we stand. Divided, we fall” Or “In He was President of the Catholic 8, 2009. His successor, Archbishop unity there is strength. In disunity Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Socrates B. Villegas, described there is debility” Cruz also stressed from 1995 to 1999 and has served as a Archbishop Cruz as a “a great man the elements of community which judicial vicar of the Catholic Bishops’ of the Church, an epic who is himself begin with the family being the core Conference of the Philippines National larger than life” and who is “unique unit of society. Tribunal of Appeals. He was also a and irreplaceable.”

All for one. One “for all”, or “United we stand. Divided, we fall” Or “In

unity there

is strength. In disunity “ there is debility September 2020 Paglaum 7 PPEPEEPE PPESTAÑOESTAÑO By Jay Dejaresco The Pimentel Institute for Leadership offered his young life and Governance pays tribute to a man at 23 in defense of the who was willing to share all he had ideals. for the betterment of the youth of Philippine society. As their headquarters, Batang Transformers The PILG is deeply appreciative of the can converge from generosity of the late Ka Pepe Pestaño all over the land, Ka for graciously offering his sprawling Pepe informed those farm as venue for the many gatherings of youths from all over the country for who witnesed the the yearly Batang Transformer. inauguration, “will now be welcome to Ka Pepe Pestaño unselfishly offered to use the facilities of the the Batang Transformers a permanent Sanctuary for their home of their own. It is now their functions.” National Headquarters. Ka Pepe Pestaño It is located in the idyllic Ensign Phillip hogged the limelight Ka Pepe Pestaño Pestaño Sanctuary in Antipolo City seeing to it that justice be rendered for at the Eastern edge of Metro-Manila and became known as the father of the barely 50 kilometers away. late Ensign Philip Pestaño, the young his son. idealist lieutenant killed while trying to Authorities had dubbed his son’s death The 16-hectare site is fully planted to expose corruption in the military. as a suicide, but Ka Pepe would’ve trees, has natural creeks, man- made none of it. It was murder plain and Since the death of his son Philip, which ponds and swimming pools, and the simple, Ka Pepe would vigorously he agressively argued and pursued as so-called obstacle courses that lovers contend. of nature find irresistible. It is named a murder conspiracy of rouge military Ka Pepe showed to a younger after Ensign Phillip Pestaño, who higher ups, Ka Pepe never lost a breath generation how a father would and should love a son. EULOGY FOR TITO PEPE PESTAÑO He dedicated his farm in Antipolo in By Pauline Bautista honor of his son Philip. He set up a museum, featuring I will remember Tito Pepe with much gratitude and admiration everytime my memorabilia about his son. seeds become seedlings, when seed- In his farm one would see a vast lings grow into trees, and trees bear expanse of fruit bearing trees lined fruit. Every meal with him through our up in military precision and spaced six Batang Transformers Young Lead- evenly from one another, just like in ers Peace Camps meant tasting his latest harvest, learning something new the military. about food propagation, and appreciat- Every year, when PILG conducted ing nature a little bit more concretely. its annual gathering of the brightest On our last lunch with Tito Pepe we among the youth of the nation from had an incredibly delicious coconut different parts of the country, it was wine. He delightedly took us through Ka Pepe Pestaño’s relaxing farm the process of its becoming and we all Pauline Bautista and planted in us the seeds of values which made the perfect venue for the agreed that it raised our bar for lam- and virtue, that guided him and his weekend seminar. banog, as he humbly grinned, beaming beloved Philip as they lived their one with joy. That is the lasting image I have Ka Pepe Pestaño himself would meaningful and inspiring life. Rest now of our energetic Batang Transformers introduce his farm and would bring the with our heroes Philip and Tatay Nene Uncle, co-Founder with our beloved dear Tito Pepe, because the seeds you participants around for them to witness Tatay Nene, dedicated Benefactor of have sown in our hearts are steadfast who the farm has evolved into a place this peace mission, and gracious host seedlings that will bear much fruit. inspired by the life of his murdered son. to hundreds of Muslim, Christian and Indigenous young leaders. His beauti- Thank you from our hearts. You are During morning of the seminar Ka ful forest did not just provide a training our hero. And thank you to the Pestaño Pepe would invite guests to join him in ground but also nurtured the culture of family for opening your hearts to each picking up fruits that have become ripe peace and creative teamwork, ensured and every Batang Transformer and to enough for consumption. Nobody goes physical and spiritual nourishment, all of us. hungry in his farm, Ka Pepe would say. 8 Paglaum September 2020 RREMEMBERINGEMEMBERING SSENATORENATOR NNENE:ENE: MMYY SSTORYTORY By Clarisse Aquino My first encounter with the legend who was Nene Pimentel I was struck with a mixture of feelings. It was 1996 when I first met Sen. Nene. I was introduced by the late Dir. Terry Dumogho as the PDP Laban Secretary General- Caloocan Chapter, during their meeting at his law office in Gold Loop, Ortigas Pasig I trembled being with a man with a notable hoarse voice that could easily intimidate those within hearing distance. Yet unexpectedly I was astonished by the tenderness, even meekness of his demeanor when he talked. I was excited to see him for the first With Sir Nene when he was a Senator. With Sir Nenewith his last mission: Federalism time. Here I was, awed in the presence of a man who stood larger than life with his that I will just assist his secretary, but COS decades, I can truly say, I was educated in unparalleled political exploits. I was also Gwen just told me to report to Tatay on a way that just couldn’t be measured by inspired being with him knowing so many following Monday. So, I went to the office diplomas or degrees. It wasn’t much of people looked up to him. and I saw Sir Nene, and he immediately academic learning, although there were tons of it. It was learning more about the But after two decades of tagging along told me that “starting today you will be my purpose of life. What are we here on Earth with this man, I realized he was simply secretary, and Ruby will be the administrative using all his waking hours working for head of the office”. And that was it. for? It is to make the lives of others better. the betterment of his people. And he I became Sir Nene’s secretary for more To mention some of Nene’s teachings, seemed to always be in a hurry, aware that than two decades. it was to value our work and don’t waste borrowed life on Earth had time limits. Twenty-one years of immense learnings. time. He repeatedly said that “‘Yung pera Procrastination was his vaunted enemy. Twenty-one years of training on the job. mapapalitan pagnawala, pero yong time paglumipas na, at may bagay na dapat sana “Don’t waste time,” was his constant Twenty-one years working for this man ay nagawa mo sa oras na iyon ay hindi na reminder. who tirelessly worked to make the lives of maibabalik pa”. In 1998 I was asked by Dir Terry people better. He loved working not for himself but Dumogho to join him in the Office of Sen. Filipinos from earlier generation knew for the country. I am the living witness Nene to assist him in handling the Local Sir Nene of his exploits as a fearless of how hardworking he was. If you were Government Committee, assigned to him freedom fighter. by Sir Nene. his staff, you should do your best in your Later in his life he wanted to be known Early in my professional career, I found work. There were times when even at 3 as a bridge-builder, one who connected myself to be an easy fit doing the work of a a.m., I received text from him saying “pag what otherwise were separated by ideology, secretary. I became one to a few. gising mo sa umaga, email me this”. beliefs, religion, social backgrounds. In three years from 1998-2001 I was He was awake when the whole town slept. A previous chapter of his life may secretary to Dir. Terry Dumogho, to Chief Yet Sir Nene was a very ordinary have been devoted to fighting---- fighting of Staff Gwen Pimentel-Gana and to Dir. person. And how he loved his blue barong. oppression, fighting injustice, fighting Ed Salvosa, handling administrative work He actually had quite a few of them. But tyranny. and sometimes legislative task. Then I it seemed he only had one because he realized it was training experience for me When I worked for Sir Nene, I saw a kept wearing the same kind and color. He for greater responsibilities. man who was more an innovator, a creator, shunned fashion, but not passion. In December of 2001, I was asked by who made things happen, a peacemaker, He even cracked jokes, telling me M’ Gwen to substitute the secretary of unifier. Naturally it was a gentler (by and funny stories, during our travel time, in an Sir Nene, (Ate Ruby), who was scheduled large), mellowed (but with occasional airplane or in his car. to go on leave for two weeks, I did as deviations), toned down boss. (Thank God) He also got mad, but he was the secretaries are supposed to do ---- follow I was his secretary in his Senate office, unusual type of boss who apologized. He instructions. until his term ended in 2010, and even would email you or personally write you I then became the (substitute) secretary beyond. a letter, saying sorry for my outburst, and of Sir Nene for two weeks, attending to all As a secretary, I handled all his “let’s work again tomorrow.” his office needs and grueling, back-breaking engagements here and abroad, prepared There are many stories to tell and words schedule. I might say that I was able to do power point presentation for his speeches, are not enough to describe how good a my job well for that two-week stint. did research work for his books, to be person and boss Sen. Nene was. On the last day of my two-week tour-of physically present to assist him in his official For 21 years of working with him he did duty as temporary secretary of Sir Nene, engagements and perform other functions not treat us –those who worked for him-- on my way home, I received a call from as assigned to me from time to time. as if we were below him. He treated us with COS Gwen, telling me that “Clarisse as After his term ended as a Senator dignity, as his partners in the tasks he had per Tatay, starting Monday you will be his in 2010, he asked me to join him in his to perform. secretary”. Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Thank you, Sir, for lessons of life. I will At first, I was hesitant, aware of the Governance up to this time. be forever grateful that once in my life I demands of the job. I told COS Gwen, Working with him for more than two became part of your journey to serve our people and country.