Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano announced the passing of her City Administrator, Atty. Dennis Acorda on September 29.
Rubiano said Acorda started serving as City Administrator during the time of her brother, then Mayor and now Congressman Antonino Calixto, until her administration.
A highly reliable source from the City Hall said Acorda, 51, died after contracting COVID-19.
The mayor said the city government lost a patriot, leader, public servant and “a friend” to many.
“ I lost a friend and a co-worker in 'Tapat na Paglilingkod.' CA Atty. Dennis, you will remain in my heart. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and your whole life in helping me serve the city. Your memories will live on tangibly and in our hearts. Rest In Peace, Admin Dennis,” Rubiano said.
Acorda, a graduate of UP Law Class 1998 started his career in public service as a legislative staff of the late Senator Edgardo Angara (2001-2003). He also worked as City Administrator of Malabon City (2005-2008); Legal Officer of Pasay in July, 2010, and City Administrator of Pasay City from November, 2011 until his demise.
He was also Lord Chancellor of Alpha Phi Beta which has among its members Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno; Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero; former Chief Justice Reynato Puno; and former Executive Secretary Oscar Orbos
Acorda is an avid follower of the works of world leaders such as US President Theodore Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
One of his favorite quotes is from Roosevelt, who said in his speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, on April 23, 1910: "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
The mayor said Acorda, as the City Administrator, was known as a hard worker and self-regulator.
Rubiano said Acorda is sharp and quick-witted and offered solutions to the most difficult and complicated issues besetting local governance.
She also said Acorda’s network of like-minded people in both local and national government remains exceptional and his management style "is the envy of young managers, who admire his cool and calm approach in running the city’s affairs."