Bon Carlo M.

Melocoton, CPA MMPA 1 MMPA 224 Philippine Local Government and Local Admin (Reaction Paper #3)

Jesse Manalastas Robredos Life and Contributions to our Country the Philippines
I. Declaration of Martial Law by President Ferdinand Marcos On August 21, 1971, while the opposition (Liberal Party) was having their meeting de avance two fragmentation grenades exploded. It took 9 lives and left more than 100 people seriously wounded. Liberal Party candidates were seriously injured including Jovito Salonga, who nearly died and was visually impaired. Suspicion of responsibility for the blast initially fell upon Marcos, whom the Liberals blamed for the bombing; however, in later years, prominent personalities associated with the event have laid the blame on the Communist Party of the Philippines under Jos Mara Sison. Jovito Salonga, in his autobiography, states his belief that Sison and the CPP were responsible. A month of terrorist bombing of public facilities in Manila and Quezon City culminated on September 22 with a mock assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile. Claiming chaos and lawlessness was near, Marcos declared martial law, thereby suspending the 1935 constitution, dissolving Congress, and assuming total power. Six hours after the Enrile assassination attempt, Marcos responded with the imposition of martial law. Proclamation No. 1081 which imposed martial law was dated 21 September 1972, but it was actually signed on 17 September. The formal announcement of the proclamation was made only at seven-thirty in the evening of 23 September, about twenty-two hours after he had commanded his military collaborators to start arresting his political opponents and close down all media and retail (fashion, food, religious, sports) establishments. In summary of the martial law period, the declaration of martial law was initially well received by some segments of the people but became unpopular as excesses and human rights abuses by the military emerged. Torture was used in extracting information from their enemies.

II. Tsinelas Leadership Jesse Robredos tsinelas leadership shows his simplicity and ties with the masses. His thoughts for this concept of leadership are as follows: It is the willingness to wade in the flood, willing to go where you normally do not go, to the most remote areas, just to be with the most disadvantaged people. It is breaking down the barriers between government officials and the people they serve. It is being casual and being warm. Leaders must be casual with the people they serve so that they can listen, hear, and empathize with the people that they serve. It is about back to basics base-level transformation. It is about working on the basics. No frills and something as uncomplicated and casual as the tsinelas but with a very, very clear vision. For me, with the thoughts that late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo wants to emphasize is that leadership should have a genuine concern and care for the people that we serve. Tsinelas Leadership is basically about getting to the grassroots of leadership and its all about reaching out to help. Being a government servant or even an ordinary person, we must always put into mind that we have obligations to each other whether it is small or big but still we must do it with sincerity and open hearts, not expecting anything in return for the things we have rendered to them. III. Good Men Die Young There could be some thoughts why good men die young like: They are too good for this world, since they are good, God rewarded them with heaven early Humans are given a certain amount of time to reach the potential for their own ultimate goodness. Since they have reached their ultimate quickly, thus, they die young. To become a martyr or a hero. Their death could be an eye opener for those old people who are still doing wrong despite of their age. They exist to be a memory and to show people happiness and goodness, and then to leave. They don't deserve to suffer even in the slightest since they're pure. But for me, only God has the reason for everything. There are also aged people who are still living in this world and still doing well. Just like Moses in the ancient times, he even live in this world hundred years before he was taken by the Almighty Father. It is only God who knows when, where and in what instance He will take us to be with Him forever. I do believe that everyone of us have a purpose in this world, maybe when we fulfill our mission, that is the right time for us to leave this world and our age is just an accessory for such cause.

Gregorio del Pilar y Sempio Nick Name: Goyong and Boy General Born: November 14, 1875 at Bulakan, Bulacan Died: December 2, 1899 (aged 24) at Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur Allegiance: First Philippine Republic Service: Philippine Revolutionary Army Battle/Wars: Philippine Revolution Battle of Kakarong de Sili (Philippine-American War) Battle of Quingua Battle of Tirad Pass He was one of the youngest generals in the Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. He is most known for his role and death at the Battle of Tirad Pass. Emilio Jacinto y Dizon Nick Name: Pingkian and Dimasilaw Born: December 15, 1875 at Manila Died: April 16, 1899 (aged 23) at Magdalena, Laguna He did not finish college and, at the age of 19, he joined the secret society called Katipunan. He became the advisor on fiscal matters and secretary to Andrs Bonifacio. He was later known as Utak ng Katipunan. Jacinto also wrote for the Katipunan newspaper called Kalayaan. He wrote in the newspaper under the pen name 'Dimasilaw', and used the alias 'Pingkian' in the Katipunan. Jacinto was the author of the Kartilya ng Katipunan as well. After Bonifacio's death, Jacinto pressed on the Katipunan's struggle. Like General Mariano lvarez, he refused to join the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Katipunan's Magdalo faction. He contracted malaria and died in Magdalena, Laguna, at the age of 23. His remain was buried in Sta. Cruz, Laguna then few years after, it was transferred in Manila North Cemetery. IV. Jesse Robredo as a Family Man He is a person who balanced his duty as a family man and a government official. He made concrete efforts to better society, to serve the public and transform how government performs its duty. He lived a simple life. As per talk of those who knew and interact with him, he was so unassuming, dressed always modestly, lived in ordinary abodes, had simple taste in foods, and was always comfortable. Growing up in a family that did not put a premium on material goods or riches, he and his siblings were taught by their parents to refrain from seeking any favor or special privileges, and instead to measure the degree of their success based on the amount of labor that they have exerted as quoted to a news article attributed to his good deeds. Thus, we can say, considering his contributions and public works, that he is a good man not only to his immediate family but also to his broader family which is the public.

V. Corruption During the Spanish Colonial Period During the Spanish Colonial Period, the earliest political system used was the encomienda system, which is a resemblance of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The conquistadores, friars and native nobles were granted estates, in exchange for their services to the King, and were given the privilege to collect tribute from its inhabitants. In return, the person granted the encomienda, known as an encomendero, was tasked to provide military protection to the inhabitants, justice and governance. The corruption during the colonial of the Spaniards can be based on the conflicting duties of the government officials summarized as follows: National Government The king of Spain governed the colonized area through his sole representative the Governor-General (must be a Spaniard born in Spain). He has the following duties: (1) he headed the Supreme Court, (2) commander in chief of the army and nave, (3) economic planner of the country, (4) all known executive power of the local government stemmed from him, (5) and as a vice-regal patron, he had the right to supervise mission work and oversee ecclesiastical appointments. Provincial Government Headed by a provincial governor (usually a Spaniard born in the Philippines). He has the following duties (1) exercised Multiple prerogatives as judge, (2) inspector of encomiendas, (3) chief of police, (4) tribute collector, and (5) capitan-general of the province. He has also a special privilege where all people were forced to do business with him. Municipal Government Headed by a Gobernadorcillo (must be any native or Chinese mestizo, 25 years old, literate in oral and written Spanish and has been a Cabeza de Barangay of 4 years). His duties are as follows: (1) preparation of the tribute list, (2) recruitment and distribution of men for draft labor, (3) communal public work and military conscription, (4) postal clerk and judge in minor civil suits and (5) he intervened in all administrative cases pertaining to hos town such as lands, justice, finance and the municipal police. Barrio Government Headed by a cabeza de barangay (should be literate in Spanish and have good moral character and property). He was responsible for peace and order and recruited men for communal works. As we can notice to their tasks and duties, there is really a big chance of committing corruption, since there are three tasks you must put in to consideration to avoid corruption. These are (1) authorization, (2) recording, and (3) custody. Any two of this if attributed to a single person, corruption is indeed probable. Furthermore, if an Indio pay falla (a corruption of the Spanish falta), he could be exempted from forced labor. And even the Spain sold the Philippines to the Americans for $20M, this are just some of the evidence how it was corrupt during the Spanish Colonization.