The gift of hope

Nothing beats waking up to the delighted chirps and calls of our avian friends, reminding us how privileged we are to be in this beautiful part of the world. Their  endless chatter is perhaps their  way of telling us to be always hopeful, and “not take things too seriously” and instead reaffirm the mantra, :Carpe Diem (Seize the day).”

Indeed, the birds have every reason to be thrilled. Tons of their meal must be lurking in the leaves and twigs of the trees and plants in full bloom. They also do not feel threatened in the abundant foliage. We are always grateful to our brother, Iniong, who started the greening of our place years ago. His foresight benefited us all. Tree growing has likewise become a habit.

Apart from biodiversity being just a “stare” away, with trees offering us their eternal shade, summer is not as blistering hot as it is perhaps in other places. We have also painted our roof white, to ward off the heat of the sun. We learned to value the feeling of peace and serenity in the company of nature, amid the challenges and excitement of living.

The past two weeks had been particularly exacting, yet, they were highly productive and enriching.  Coordinating the University of Cebu(UC) College of Law’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Seminar for Lawyers kept me on my toes at all times. We are aware that lawyers happen not to be the easiest of stakeholders to please. But, thankfully, with  the much appreciated support of UC’s management, College of Law Dean Baldomero Estenzo, our speakers and reactors who are among  the leaders in their fields of endeavor,  the highly efficient and dedicated professionals, students  and staff, the  event was both meaningful and memorable to almost everyone.

The testimonial event for our dear retired Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento can be counted as the highlight of the activity. In his distinct unassuming, deeply spiritual and humble ways, he was most helpful in effecting tremendous reforms in the electoral body, especially for the empowerment of the disadvantaged sectors, and in restoring the trust of the public in the otherwise controversy-laden agency.  We continue to learn from his rich experience in government in varying capacities and his progressive ideas and most of all, from his incomparable love, compassion and concern for our country and our vulnerable sector.

Born to parents of impeccable integrity and privileged to have been under the tutelage of another hero, the much-revered late Senator Jose W. Diokno, and being his own person, Commissioner Sarmiento, a Great Filipino, has still so much to contribute to our country. He is a rare gem of a public servant whose every action is anchored on the belief that the public office is a public trust and that the Filipino people, as trustor, deserve the paramount service one, as trustee, can give to the best of his ability.

We profusely thank Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, Comelec in Central Visayas Regional Director Temie P.  Lambino, and Sun,star Cebu’s Oscar Pineda, for sharing their thoughts and time to honor Commissioner Sarmiento. Councilor Dizon acknowledged  that it was through  Commissioner Sarmiento’s “efforts that Comelec passed a resolution providing for the guidelines of registration of persons with disability and other vulnerable sectors to minimize their disenfranchisement.” He adds that  “Clearly, he is a public servant who advocates the interests and rights of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors.”

Regional Director Lambino, whom Commissioner Sarmiento described as one of the best Regional Directors in Comelec, reiterated the sterling legacies and Commissioner Sarmiento’s “untainted reputation, impeccable qualifications, and love for the motherland”. He shared the  June 21, 2012 letter of the Provincial Election Supervisors Association of the Philippines, Inc., of which he is the Chairman Emeritus,  to President Benigno Aquino III in its endorsement of  Commissioner’s appointment to the highest post in the Judiciary. A portion of said letter reads as follows:

“His (Comm. Sarmiento) presence in the Commission on Elections always  exudes a confidence, hope and excitement to us, field officers. We are proud employees of the Commission on Elections because of his unwavering commitment and unconditional love for the Filipino people.”

Mr. Oscar Pineda, also the Vice President of Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists, expressed, on behalf of the media, the appreciation for the steering leadership of Commissioner Sarmiento in ensuring the implementation of the Local Absentee Voting for  media beginning the  2013 elections.  He shared a self-realization: that media people are also considered marginalized as they have been deprived of their right to suffrage for so long, by nature of their work.

It must also be mentioned that Commissioner Sarmiento is perhaps the first to render an Exit Performance Report to the Filipino people, titled “Time to Serve, Time to Assess, Time to Say Thank You.” I understand that soon, this will be a practice among retiring public servants.

The Filipino people are most grateful to exemplary public servants like Commissioner Rene Sarmiento. He has given our fellow citizens tremendous gift of hope, backed by the belief  that transformation in our society is happening and will continue, with the vigorous engagement and collaboration of citizens and stalwarts in the public and private sectors. We look forward to seeing you, our dear friend Rene, holding another public position soon.

Due to space constraints, the sharing of the thought-provoking  presentations  of our MCLE speakers, panel of reactors including the Movement for Livable Cebu movers and our enthusiastic participants will be featured  in my April 1 column.

A safe and serene holiday to all.