Salonga is my idol and hero

Salonga is my idol and hero

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This is a very sad day — when loathsome men crawl out of their filthy nooks to besmirch the reputation of one of the most decent, honorable, and upright men in the history of the Philippines. Indeed tragic, and heart-rending.

Charges of estafa have been filed against this noble 92-year old statesman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and unable to fend for himself. This is just beneath any measure of human decency. He may as well be accused of necrophilia.

Sen. Jovito R. Salonga is my idol and hero. Even as a student, I held him as a scholar, a gentleman, and a Christian. He stood for honesty, morality, and integrity. Salonga was the commencement speaker at my Silliman Law graduation in 1959.

Senator Salonga is the son of a Presbyterian pastor, and grew up poor. He was a WW II hero by joining the resistance movement against the Japanese, and was incarcerated by the Japanese for his activities. He studied at the University of the Philippines, and topped the Bar exams in 1944; a brilliant lawyer, topped the Senate race in 1965, 1971, and 1987. He earned his Masters of Law from Harvard University, and his doctorates from Yale University, and won the prestigious Ambrose Gherini Prize for his brilliant books on International Law. He was also the winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

In 1971, he was one of the victims of Marcos’ evil scheme to eradicate the opposition party by bombing the opposition rally at Plaza Miranda.

I had the personal honor and pleasure of knowing Senator, and sharing precious moments with him. This started by being co-sponsor in the baptism of a pastor’s son in Cebu; then making him as our special guest with the Cebu Christian leaders.

During the revolution, I had the personal pleasure of hosting him at my home in Mesa, Arizona, and travelling with his wife Lydia to the Grand Canyon. It was during this trip when I found out his true nobility, graciousness, and altruism. We had very long talks during the trip, and I saw a truly great and honorable man, the likes that I have never known, nor will ever know.

One episode that told me volumes of his greatness was when we suffered a flat tire during our trip. Although I knew he was a Senator, a great lawyer, and author, and must have had a lot of money during better times, he was traveling on a modest budget. Yet, he insisted and would not take no for an answer, to pay for a new tire for my car. I felt so small for accepting the offer, but the great man would not take it any other way.

He sent me a draft of his book on Philippine Reforms for review and perusal — way beyond my midget and diminutive brains to even comment on. I was flattered for his kind opinion of my scholarship. We communicated until he resumed political activity after the revolution. The couple never failed to remember us on special days, even sending us tokens of their friendship.

I cannot fathom the depth of a man’s crassness for material gain or notoriety to sully and tarnish the unblemished name of such a great man.

To my grave, I will never cease in my veneration for this man. I have him ensconced in the pantheon of Filipino immortals.

May righteousness and justice prevail.

Sam Buot

Scottsdale, Arizona

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