Testimonial Speech of Gov. Joey S. Salceda

My apologies for asking to speak first ahead of the 17 other personalities (I was scheduled as the last at 18th) who would deliver testimonials to our three honorees. Its 10.30 and I have miles to walk before I get home.

Fellow Bicolanos. This is a day of great hope for our region. We come together to honor three Bicolanos who have distinguished themselves in public service- CA Justice Ramoning Cruz, SolGen Joel Cadiz and SILG Jesse Robredo.

As one of only two Albayanos in this huge gathering of Naga tribes (Ateneo de Naga 1974, USI 1974, Parochial 1970) , I am always daunted by the much-touted politics of Naga- ubos kung ubos, gabos kung gabos. Verily, in the Cabinet of Noynoy Aquino, Albay is overshadowed by Camsur especially if add DOJ Sec Lilia de Lima to the list. Pakiusap ko kay Sec. Jesse, magtira naman para sa Albay. We have been obliged with the appointment of DENR Sec. Ramon Paje.

But what is more significant for us is the huge presence of Bicol in the maiden cabinet of PNoy would secure the beginnings of the Bicol century. In 2009, Bicol has overtaken Cebu and the rest of the country as the fastest growing region with 8.2% GDP growth compared to national figure of 1.1%. Moreover, if take the 29% growth in BIR Region V collections in 1H2010, Bicol is likely to have sustained its growth leadership. Thus, their presence in the Cabinet will ensure that the Noynoy administration would succeed, where all previous, have failed- in lifting Bicol from its condition as the 4th poorest region of the Philippines. Bicol is the real winner in the presidential ascendance of Noynoy Aquino with Robredo giving a strong voice in the administration by articulating our regional aspirations for prosperity, much overdue.

But, I am here to talk about Jesse Robredo. Two  weeks ago  I was invited to give a testimonial to Mayor Jesse,  since then I have researched on him, Googled him, surfed news and there were plenty- just too much on him- predominantly positive. So, I decided to ask my own people in Albay about him- and the response was even more unanimously positive. Perhaps, it is a privilege to contemplate Jesse from a distance since you do not fall for the intricacies of Naga politics or the complexities of Camsur politics certainly a messier edition than Albay's. His performance affirmed by awards has transformed him into an icon of local governments. Apart from Mayon, he is an iconic endowment of Bicol, so as RDC Chairman, I hereby declare him as a second most important tourist attraction of Bicolandia.He has put Naga City, where he was mayor for many, many, many years as Mr. Andrew Morano (our host who generously footed all the bills),  in the map not only of the Philippines but in the whole world especially in Asia as one of the most progressive cities on account of his enlightened leadership and his expertise in management that engineered the growth of the city coupled with good governance that would ensure that the benefits of growth are shared by all its citizenry, especially  the powerless whose ordinary heroism he always tried to spark as the source of the dynamism of Naga City.

I thank God for making me a Bicolano and giving us Jesse Robredo.

So, what more can be said about him that has not yet been abundantly written. What more can I add as a testimonial except enumerate (a) what we can do for him and (b) what are my own encounters with Jesse Robredo.

Indeed, the best testimonial we can give to this man is a. to follow his lead and leadership b. to support his programs and projects at the DILG c. not to give him problems or headaches or not to be obstacles to his DILG performance and d. to pray for his success. The best testimonial is our collective acts of affirmation of his person.