OFF THE BEATEN PATH
They did not just ask; they demanded. Today’s Labor Day is not just about celebrating Filipino workers’ contributions, but remembering their fight for fair treatment. Back in 1903, thousands marched to Malacañang under American rule, sparking a movement that secured today’s national holiday and future labor rights gains. This May 1st, let us honor their legacy by ensuring Filipino workers, both here and abroad, continue to be valued and protected. If Senator Rene Saguisag had been alive, you can bet he would have been leading the charge, right in the thickest of the fray.
The reflection on the hard-fought gains of workers takes on a somber note with the recent passing of the former senator who had an unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the most vulnerable. Working as a checker, laborer, guard, and messenger while attending school gave him a firsthand understanding of everyday challenges, shaping his deeply held advocacies. As a human rights lawyer, power imbalances fueled his fire. Always a powerful public speaker, he captivated audiences across the spectrum, his words resonating with both intellectuals and everyday people alike. From joining the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), founding the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity, and Nationalism, Incorporated (MABINI) to organizing Artikulo Tres and the many organizations in between that bore the unmistakable mark of his unique brand of erudite activism, Senator Rene used his brilliance and prominence to serve the people. No lip service.
As one-term senator, he took lawmaking seriously. His track record was a beautiful counterpoint to patronage politics. He made sure the weight of public scrutiny should be a constant reminder on the seat of power. That he co-authored the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or RA 6713 and the Ombudsman Act of 1989 or RA 6770 speaks volumes of his core values. These standards deserve the electorate’s attention and I mean always. Public office is a public trust. When philosopher Plato discussed the reluctant ruler as being the ideal kind for the absence of self-interest and the resultant will to stay in power, we can look at Rene Saguisag’s life and say that in this republic with a presidential form of government, we had a worthy candidate.
In an interview, the uncompromisingly honest former senator admitted to the shortcomings of a family man who was preoccupied with the task of being a statesman at critical juncture of Philippine history. While some would look askance at this, I would argue that devoting one’s life to the greatest good for the greatest number has never been without cost. Nor is it without reward. Ultimately, because of the choices he made, Senator Rene was able to do what many nowadays despair of ever achieving – he instilled a deep and abiding love of country in his children, in unconditional terms. We find his son, Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag in public service today as part of Makati City’s Council. Artikulo Tres, a movement of volunteer lawyers giving free legal assistance to the poor is set to continue under a new but not unfamiliar direction.
When it rains, will not the grass grow? Just as the proper way of celebrating Labor Day cannot be divorced from the needed review of wage-fixing mechanisms and existing working conditions, the principled manner of commemorating a statesman’s life is to take stock of his contributions to a more just society, and to commit ourselves to taking up the fight he dedicated nearly his entire life to. With Senator Rene gone, it is up to us now to take up his banner – ang kanyang sagisag – of social equity and justice for all.