Zubiri’s high
sense of honor

“Delicadeza” is a Spanish word incorporated in our own language.

It means honor but delicadeza is deeper. While honor may be outward, delicadeza is deeper in the heart, in the person, in his system.

One may not do a thing because it will not be honorable to the public. But if one has delicadeza he does not do it because deep in him, it is not right.

When Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resigned his Senatorial post, he wanted to preserve the honor of his family. He said, “No amount of power, position or wealth is worth sacrificing one’s honor and integrity,” adding “that in the end, one’s legacy is not measured by his position or wealth but his unblemished dignity and integrity.”

Zubiri is the first Senator in Philippine history to resign his position on the issue of honor.

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We hope Zubiri’s example opens a new era in Philippine politics and our officials will value the honor system, the delicadeza.

And this will be Zubiri’s heritage.

Poet Rupert Brooke wrote, “Honor has come back, as a king to earth,/ And paid his subjects with a royal wage;/ And Nobleness walks in our way again,/ And we have come into our heritage.”

If Zubiri runs for the Senate in 2013, he will be a sure winner, a topnotcher probably. He earned it.

Our pride is Zubiri is a Negrense, born and grew up here. The family migrated to Bukidnon where his father Gov. Jose Zubiri has dominated politics in that part of the country, armed only with a well respected name and an integrity that since then no one has questioned.

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But on the other side, we have seen how the past administration abused public funds with impunity.

Hundreds of millions of pesos, billions even have been squandered without those people thinking of the damage to the country, the people, and the culture.

It is unprecedented that a former President faces six plunder cases and the First Gentleman is accused of allegedly violating so many laws.

Then because they started it, others followed pocketing hundreds of millions. Where was their moral values? Did not the question of their immoral acts ever cross their mind that sooner or later they would pay for them?

Above all did they not have a conscience? How conscience tortures us…Poet Lord Byron wrote, “No ear can hear nor tongue can tell/ The torture of that inward hell.”

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Not just like GMA, FG, and Mikey but their subalterns as well.

How much Ephraim Genuino pocketed has not been fully determined yet as new discoveries are coming out.

How much did Genuino’s friend Johnny Tan pocket, together with his wife Carlota Manalo-Tan, who sold P1 billion worth of coffee to Pagcor players?

And General Jacinto Ligot and General Carlos P. Garcia?

And other elected officials who, on seeing how the people at the top stole, also helped themselves to the funds.

Marcos stole billions of pesos but not from government coffers. He squeezed businessmen dry. Estrada too. He got the money from the proceeds of jueteng. Not GMA.

This is the tragedy of our times.

Public money is like holy water. People want to dip their finger into it.

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Where is this country going with this culture of dishonesty? We know, the arms of the law are long and they will soon catch up with those corrupt ones.

But this will come to naught unless people rally together to change the order. Nothing was done to the corruption under Marcos. And nothing was done under Estrada with jueteng still flourishing in Luzon.

If nothing can be done, then we pray for Divine Justice.

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I am happy to have friends come to the house Friday afternoon led by RTC Executive Judge Allan Drilon, Councilor Sonia Verdeflor, Mrs. Chit Solidum, and Ray Pedrosa. They prayed over me.

Yesterday morning, my Pare Mode Sa-onoy also came.

Lord, I welcome this new day, as your gift to me. I thank you for being alive. Help me to make the most for your greater glory.

Thank you for putting me where I am right now to bless, to inspire, and create a positive influence.

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FEEDBACK: I am thankful for yesterday for its wonderful memories. I am also thankful for today to wake me up to celebrate life.

I am also thankful for tomorrow to make me fulfill my dreams and wishes. And most of all, I am thankful to God for all His blessings.*

For feedback 0917300-3282 or primoesleyer@gmail.com

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