Tributes to an extraordinary public servant

In the final weeks of his unprecedented two terms as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor, Amando “Say” Tetangco received a flurry of accolades for his exceptional performance as the country’s top Central Banker.

Last May 24, leaders of Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and CIBI Foundation spoke admiringly about the extraordinary accomplishments of Governor Tetangco.

Lauding him for exemplary leadership, MBC’s Ed Chua said, “the BSP has been effectively executing and fulfilling its mandate of keeping inflation manageable, conducting sound monetary policy, and supervising financial institutions under its jurisdiction… this has significantly cushioned the country from external shocks and has largely insulated us from the adverse effects of various global and regional financial crises.”

AmCham added that, under Tetangco’s watch, “the Philippine financial system was steered toward an enviable position of growth, stability and prosperity… helping retain and attract new foreign direct investments. By his firm and steady guidance, the BSP has continued to adopt global standards applicable to our domestic environment.”

MAP president Marife Zamora commended Gov Say by declaring “we in the MAP are witness to our honoree’s passion and dedication as a leader. The business community, in particular and the country as a whole, are fortunate to benefit from his expertise… As a strong manifestation of the MAP’s appreciation of our honoree’s achievements, the MAP chose Governor Tetangco as the MAP Management Man of the Year Awardee for 2015.”

PCCI’s Sergio Ortiz-Luis stated, “Today’s special luncheon for a revered public servant will not only celebrate the milestones in his successful career as a banker and technocrat, but will most importantly highlight the man whose love for country has been evident in his unmarred reputation in and out of public service.”

Florian Gottein of ECCP had this to say: “As we have seen in the European context, one of the most important factors for the overall success of a nation is a strong and stable central bank. Behind the success of every strong central bank in the world is an equally strong governor and the Philippines has been very fortunate to have had one of the most exceptional at the helm… Governor Tetangco has served the BSP with the same vigor and excellence that has brought out the economic gem that is the Philippines.”

Atty. Du-Baladad, Finex president, announced that they approached Ateneo to create a professorial chair to continue Governor Tetangco’s legacy. Finex is establishing a perpetual fund that will be used to award professorial chairs, researches and studies in the field of economics, particularly on monetary policies and financial sector development.

On June 8, Governor Tetangco was bestowed the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Asian Banker which also recognized the BSP as the “Best Macroeconomic Regulator in Asia Pacific.” Emmanuel Daniel, chair of the Asian Banker, described Governor Tetangco as “one of the most respected and highly regarded regulators to hail from Asia.”

Similarly, the Institute of Corporate Directors, through its chair Francis Estrada, made him only the second individual to receive the Lifetime ICD Fellowship, as “an outstanding steward, leader, manager, and public servant.”

Recently, Nestor Tan, Bankers Association president, credited Gov Say for having “provided the bedrock of stability and growth amidst the retinue of crisis and uncertainty here and abroad and has not only received the gratitude of a grateful nation but also the recognition of the world as the best central banker in the world.”

Gov Say rightfully deserves our admiration and gratitude, but his greatest pride is undoubtedly his family. He is a wonderful husband to wife Elma, a loving father to his three children, Patrick, Eula and Miko, and a doting grandfather to granddaughter Zara. He exemplifies his Bosconian and Atenean education, putting into practice the spiritual and moral formation he received from the Salesian and Jesuit priests.

Governor Amando Tetangco is an outstanding Filipino whose life epitomizes what Albert Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”

Jose L. Cuisia Jr. was a Philippine ambassador to the United States and a governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines.