Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon expressed his sadness at the sudden death of former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Bayani Fernando.
“We refused to fear, be mediocre, or to suffer in silence, or be complicit. There are not enough words for our dreams. We mourn but will not be forlorn,” Gordon said in a statement on Friday, Sept. 22.
He said Fernando was a “worthy people‘s leader with ambition and vision for our country, a hard worker and expected that ethic from his co-workers.”
“He led by a code of discipline as he believed that values are the sure pathways to human development,” he added.
Gordon also emphasized their bond, saying “they respected each other as transformers and not transactional leaders.”
“We ran together with the hope of getting a 12-year partnership offering continuous strong firm and fair leadership towards uplifting our people through change of commitment and continuity,” the PRC chief shared.
Gordon expressed his pride in each of them, recognizing that they had set an example and a standard for what people can be and dignified, not reliant on handouts or charity, but as individuals who exhibited resilience, determination, and self-reliance.
”We ran together because we offered a choice, a track record of good governance, and not empty, meaningless popularity,” he said.
“Kate and I grieve with his wife Marides, their daughter Tala, and her husband and Child. We won’t just look back, but we must all find the strength to continue to strive and not to yield. Fare thee well, Bayani,” he added.