Jesse confirmed ‘deep in our hearts’

We are fortunate to read the Inquirer here in Vancouver, BC while our country is asleep.

Allow me to comment on the suggestions about Jesse Robredo’s posthumous confirmation as interior secretary by the Commission on Appointments.

For two years, Secretary Jesse—he with a “stellar career in government that spanned more than 25 years”—was denied recognition by the Commission on Appointments. It’s ironic that he was bypassed at least twice. He died in a plane crash on his way home to Naga City from Cebu.

This reminds me of President Ramon Magsaysay, who was lovingly referred to as “My Guy.” He perished on March 17, 1957 when the plane carrying him also from Cebu crashed into a mountain.

The Commission on Appointments could have rejected Robredo’s nomination on Day One, this way he could have been spared a prolonged agony and “embarrassment.” What is there for the Commission on Appointments to achieve in privileging the late secretary with a posthumous confirmation? Commission members disclosed that come Aug. 29, they had “expected the confirmation to pass without a hitch.” They said Robredo was “assured of the commission’s support.”

“We were deprived the honor of confirming a great man,” Rep. Roilo Golez, a commission member, said (Inquirer, 8/21/12).

The commission offered “scheduling problems” to justify its failure to confirm Robredo. Enough with the excuses! Since Day One, Robredo had been confirmed deep in our hearts.

—MANUEL Q. BONDAD,

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