A Herculean task for Sereno

It's over now. The remains of Jesse Robredo, the late secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Governments have been laid in their final resting place in the city he had loved and served for a good part of his life. For those who realize that Robredo had worked for the improvement of his beloved city for, I think, almost 18 years as its mayor, it is not a wonder why his family had insisted on having him buried there. And why they rejected the offer to bury him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, despite the honors it would have brought.

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The country's days of mourning were declared over yesterday after the burial of Jesse Robredo. Those were the official days, but we know that the sense of loss of such a good man and ideal public servant will be felt for a long, long time. And now, just a few hours after his interment, we again hear the siren song of politics calling out to a member of his family, this time to his widow, Ma. Leonora “Leni” Robredo, and the call will get louder and louder as the next few months go by.

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Let us hope Mrs. Robredo will call on the Lord and the spirit of her beloved husband for discernment as the calls for her continue to mount. As of yesterday, several officials had already been reported as having joined the call for her to join the government by running for senator in the coming election. This time we know that she will be a very worthy, capable and well-qualified member of that body where, perhaps, she can be an example of the good governance and idealism she had shared with her late husband.

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This has come to be a kind of syndrome in our country's political tradition. When Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was murdered, the country called out to his widow to lead them. Despite her lack of political experience, not having worked for the government even as a barangay captain, the call became so strong that Corazon Aquino could no longer ignore it. Then when Cory herself died, the love and admiration of her countrymen transferred to her only son who probably had never in his wildest dreams, imagined himself in that post.

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And now that Jesse Robredo has died, suddenly the strong glare of light focused on his wife, who showed what stuff she is made of by her composure, her religiosity and strong faith in God in the way she accepted his passing. She may, perhaps, be initially appalled at the thought of ever going into the murky world of politics, but we hope she will realize that it is people like her, who can best show the way to those who have become calloused and hardhearted while staying in that office. Let us help her pray for guidance in making her decision.

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And now comes the time for “replacements” in the set-up of some of the most vital departments of this government. For one, there is the position vacated by the death of Jesse Robredo. Is there anyone out there who can claim that the shoe will fit him? Perhaps that is the reason why Vice President Jejomar Binay has rejected outright the idea of taking over, as beneficial as it might be to his admitted quest for a higher office. For sure many will seek it, but can they measure up to Robredo's achievements?

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Then, too, there is the position of ambassador to China, an assignment that is so important at a critical time like this. Mde. Sonia Brady was believed to be ideal for the position, but she had barely gotten to her office when she suffered a stroke, that has reportedly left her partially paralyzed, and unable to talk. And then we hear that the Judicial and Bar Council is again on its toes because it has to find a replacement for the now Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno. A report said the JBC will soon be calling out for nominees, or applicants. Can they not just pick from the old list that they had already vetted? Do they have to go through the entire process all over again?

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Meanwhile, one cannot envy the new Chief Justice who started to preside over her court yesterday. Did we imagine it, or did the other members of the Supreme Court look glum as they filed into their chamber? It must be difficult for them to accept that a very new member had been chosen, and they had all been bypassed, in a manner of speaking. CJ Sereno is another one who needs a lot of prayers, because she has a Herculean task ahead of her.*

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