Jesse’s passion for public service

I have fond memories of the late Secretary Jesse Robredo, a government co-worker. We worked together in three inter-agencies to enfranchise and empower three vulnerable and marginalized sectors—the Inter-Agency and NGO Network to Empower Detainees, the Inter-Agency and NGO Network to Empower Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and the Inter-Agency, NGO and PO Network to Empower Indigenous Peoples (IPs). The Department of the Interior and Local Government was part of the three inter-agencies, and Secretary Jess was a cell phone away when I would bring to his attention concerns involving these sectors. His response was always immediate.

We were together when the Fully Abled Nation project was launched last April 18 at Makati Shangri-la Hotel, and it was where we learned from him that he had siblings who are PWDs. And we were together when the Memorandum of Agreement for IPs was signed by the Commission on Elections, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the DILG at the Comelec main office last July 3.

I will surely miss Secretary Robredo, his passion for public service and his concern for the marginalized and vulnerable sectors.

—RENE V. SARMIENTO,

commissioner,

Commission on Elections