‘Cesar Virata, Life and Times’

At the book launch of “Cesar Virata, Life and Times,” someone suggested that the 726-page biography of the nation’s first and only prime minister could serve as a paperweight or if one had two copies, they could serve as attractive bookends in a personal library. In length and content, the book resembles the first volume of Lee Kuan Yew’s “The Singapore Story.” Both are about individuals who in their own ways shaped the destiny of the nations they served so well. One is no longer in government; the other continues to provide guidance and direction for the younger generation of Singapore leaders.

One would have to devote some time and effort to appreciate this book. Economic history is not easy reading for many of us. But for those who wish to have a more detailed knowledge of what happened during the Marcos years, this biography will help us to understand and perhaps, allow for a more balanced judgment of individuals who played key roles in government during those years.

Let me cite one passage in the book that may help to highlight this idea.

“Cesar Virata’s contributions to his country are immense. They have not for the most part been fully appreciated because of his association with the Marcos administration. His achievements, however, do not all involve his work in government service for which he is mainly known. His accomplishments stem from many stages in his life—in his work as a private business consultant in the growth of business investments in the country, as a contributor to fostering education, in the making of government economic policy, in the enlargement of the country’s foreign relations, and in the various other activities he has been a part of to help enrich his own community and the institutions he has served.

“That he was linked to the fall of the Marcos regime stemmed from his devotion to duty for perhaps an undue period of time. Yet, in parting from those duties at a time when it was perfectly acceptable to denounce the strongman to whom he was accountable, he kept his word not to express his dissatisfaction and disappointments with that administration in public.

“That behavior was characteristic of the quiet man who was truly a professional in his endeavors to help his country.

“When in the heat of political as well as other natures of debate about the essence of governance, no one could associate Cesar Virata with any act of malfeasance or misconduct. He performed his duty as an official with great sincerity of purpose.”

Notes on the author. Gerardo Sicat, at age 34, was a professor of economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman. In 1973, he organized the National Economic and Development Authority and served as its first director general while concurrently functioning as minister of economic planning. From 1985 to 1997, he worked at the World Bank before returning to UP where today he is professor emeritus of Economics.

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As I mentioned in an earlier column four years ago, my own experience with Virata started when I was appointed Customs commissioner in the Ministry of Finance, one of two military men who served as bureau heads. The other was Gen. Pelagio Cruz, a senior officer with a career as illustrious as any soldier could ever have. General Cruz served as commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, chief of the Philippine Constabulary, AFP chief of staff, and head of the Finance Ministry Intelligence Bureau. Incidentally, a third military officer who also served at finance was Col. Angelo T. Reyes. He was senior aide/military assistant to the prime minister. Reyes would later serve as AFP chief of staff and Cabinet secretary in four departments: defense, interior and local government, environment and natural resources, and energy.

As a superior, Virata treated everyone with decency and respect. We were judged solely on the basis of the quality of our work. When he was displeased with your output, he would rub his ears vigorously and make all sorts of sounds, like clearing his throat. But there were no expletives; no harsh words of reprimand.

In terms of integrity, professionalism and work ethic, I would rate him high above many of the men I have known and served in my military and civil service career. He, more than anyone I have known, clearly understood and observed what was meant by the term “conflict of interest.”

Perhaps his most admirable trait as an individual, almost unimaginable considering his contributions to the nation, as an educator and a government servant holding high office, is his humility. There’s an old saying that goes: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” My favorite is that of Cesar Virata trooping an honor guard in Seoul, South Korea, carrying his own briefcase.

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In his remarks at the book launching, Washington Sycip relates that in 1956, Cesar Virata joined SGV as head of Management Services. He also continued to teach at UP and therefore worked in both jobs full-time. He taught at UP from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., then he would go to SGV to work for the rest of the day—and night, for that matter. He also found time to marry Joy in December that year. Unfortunately, he says, “I had to interfere with their honeymoon in Baguio, as important business needed his attention. Joy has never forgiven me. I have tried to regain her goodwill by helping the Repertory [Philippines Theater].

“I would like to say—and I have said this many times before—that except for Cesar, you will not find another person who went through all the Marcos years without a blemish on his career. Cesar has kept his integrity and continues to live his principles to this day.”

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31st Asean Senior Golf Championships. The Philippines scored an impressive win in Singapore, winning the Team and Individual Gross Championships. The members of the winning team were Jose Inigo, Eduardo Bagtas, Rudy Amata and Eddie Jose Manzanares, while Eduardo Bagtas bagged individual Gross Championship honors.

The 40-man delegation was headed by Melchor Rosales, president of the Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers Inc., and team captain Joe Estrevillo.