THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
Dr. Jun Ynares
When Ms. Pinky Aquino-Abelleda read the Aquino family statement on the death of former President Noynoy Aquino Thursday of last week, she thanked the various constituents of the late Head of State. Pinky first mentioned the late President’s constituents from the second district of Tarlac whom he served as Representative to Congress for three full terms.
As many Filipinos mourn the passing of PNoy, a lot of mention will be made about his political career and his family roots.
The fact that his roots are traced to Tarlac province will be highlighted. It will be pointed out that his character as a political leader was largely influenced by his Tarlakeño father, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino. It will also be pointed out that his character as a person – his sense of duty to and commitment to public service – were the legacy of his mother, the late President Cory Aquino whose father was also from Tarlac.
There another side to the late President.
In his veins also flowed the blood of an Antipoleño.
After all, his maternal grandmother was from this place – the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines. President Cory’s mother – Doña Demetria – belonged to Antipolo’s respected Sumulong clan. Doña Demetria’s father was Don Juan Sumulong, a prototype of the Filipino leader of the late 1800s. Don Juan was a revolutionary, a journalist, a lawyer and a politician the known for his maverick stance of many important issues.
PNoy’s maternal great-grandfather was also the only Filipino politician of his time who had the courage and temerity to challenge the leadership of a very popular President, Manuel Luis Quezon of Tayabas province.
PNoy’s Sumulong clan gave birth to other famous, respected public servants. The brother of Doña Demetria and his grand-uncle, Lorenzo Sumulong served as Senator of the country for forty years. As head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was at one time, the country’s representative to the United Nations.
Rizaleños and Antipoleños of old never tire of recounting that moment when Lorenzo Sumulong engaged the representative of the Soviet Union in a raging debate at the floor of the UN. Feeling that the Filipino UN representative was more eloquent and convincing than him, the Russian representative famously took off his shoe and banged it on his table.
The Russian delegate would later become the Prime Minister of the Soviet Union. His name was Nikita Kruschev who earned a place in world history as a dictator – and also as someone whose temper was ignited by the eloquence of PNoy’s grand-uncle.
Another grand-uncle, Francisco Sumulong, also served in the Philippines senate. PNoy’s uncle, Vic Sumulong, once served as mayor of Antipolo.
When a Rizaleño or an Antipoleño reflects on the leadership of the late PNOY, he cannot but remember that they share with this Man a kindred spirit. He cannot but think that the quality of his character has also been influenced by the genes and the tradition of the Rizaleño clan which brought forth into our world a Cory Aquino.
We remember one elder Antipoleño say, “If you look closely, you will see features of Don Juan Sumulong’s face in PNoy’s.”
As we join the Nation in bidding the late President farewell, we thank him for his service to our country and for the sacrifices he made to promote and protect the welfare and well-being of our countrymen.
We are saying good-bye to one of our own.
Heeding the President’s warning
Last week, President Duterte reiterated an early warning against our countrymen who would refuse to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
With the warning, the President aired his threat to send those who refuse to jail.
The President’s statement the triggered a raging debate as to whether or not there are already existing laws that would allow the Philippine National Police, local governments and maybe the courts also to implement the President’s warning.
We will leave the debate on the legal basis of the Presidential pronouncements to lawyers.
We will, instead, express our support for the President’s exercise of wisdom and firm leadership on this matter. We share the President’s stand that being vaccinated is not just a patriotic duty – it is also a moral obligation. We are obliged to protect the safety and well-being of others, and being vaccinated is the best means to do that, given our present situation.
The good news is this: it appears there are no hardliners against the virus in our local communities.
It appears local governments will never have to go through the motion of having to round up residents who do not wish to be vaccinated.
At this point, the public is clamoring for the vaccine. Most want to get the vaccine and to get it now.
Local governments continue to be under harsh criticism from their constituents due to the perceived failure to get them vaccinated.
This is a “happy” problem. The demand for the vaccine is high. It is the supply that has been the problem. As soon as adequate supply is provided to local governments, we are confident that people will come running and lining up to have that precious jab in their arms.
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