Aquino to Robredo: ‘Mission accomplished’

THE STATE OF THE NATION President Aquino (at right) leads the singing of the national anthem during arrival honors for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s remains at Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang, on Friday. Standing beside the President are (from right) Robredo’s wife Leni, daughters Aika, Patricia and Jillian. Standing around Robredo’s casket as honorary pallbearers are Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas, Cavite Rep. Joseph Abaya, Harvey Keh, Alice Murphy, Joan de la Cruz and Budget Secretary Butch Abad. LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines – It’s already “mission accomplished” for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, President Benigno Aquino III said in his eulogy during the last day of Robredo’s state funeral in Naga City Tuesday.

“No one would dare say Jesse’s contributions were not enough. We who have benefited from his life should now give our part to match his achievements,” Aquino said in Filipino.

Aquino quoted from the bible Paul’s second letter 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…”

“This aptly described Jesse; we can say mission accomplished. It’s high time he enjoy the fruits of full, good life with the Lord,” Aquino said.

He said that Robredo was now with the other heroes in heaven observing and providing strength to people to carry on with the work they have begun.

“Shed no more tears. Let’s be thankful, instead. In his brief stay on earth, it’s been a blessing for us to have Jesse Manalastas Robredo around,” Aquino said.

He said he imagined a time in the future when he and his entire Cabinet would already be retired and would be meeting together in a restaurant to relive their days as public servants.

“We can no longer be with Jesse in these gatherings. We can no longer exchange jokes with Jesse, especially on gags about screening his daughters’ suitors…and he will no longer be around to play with his future grandchildren,” Aquino said.

Aquino also said that it was not easy at first to accept that they had lost Robredo. He said they had been hoping he would suddenly arrive and say “Pasensya na kayo, naabala ko kayong lahat sa tagal ng pagdating ko.”

Aquino recalled how Robredo was very simple and down-to-earth who would not let power of his office get into his head.

“Kay Jesse, what you see is what you get. Tahimik at masipag siyang nagtatrabaho. Hindi siya nagpapadala sa kapangyarihan. Sa kabila ng naabot niya, nanatiling simple ang kanyang pamumuhay, hindi nalalayo sa karaniwang taong napakalapit sa kanyang puso,” Aquino said.

He also praised Robredo’s wife, Leni, and three children, Aika, Tricia, and Jillian, for their strength during this time of grief.