Posted on January 30, 2006 - Filed Under Punch Forum |
Rafael L. Oriel, Jr.
Winnipeg, MB
oriel@shaw.ca
30 Jan 2006
It is very unfortunate that some people were able to arrive at a philosophy of their own that is all made up of their private notations, jaded negativity and cynicism especially highlighted by their general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others and marked by false accusations lacking evidence.
Mr. Ed Pontaoe said in his posting dated Jan. 12, 2006, “All the glorifications that are being thrown at Ramos, is malarkey. An ersatz to cover his ineptitude in office. To those who are pushing for Ramos to return to politics are not only arrogant but doing a disservice to the country. Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo are as phony as an American $3.00 bill.”
This is just one example of those extreme cynicisms. There are many that I read and some, if not most, are even written by people who claim to be professional journalist or who like to be portrayed as role model for the youths or Filipinos who profess that they love the country and its people.
In fairness to former President Fidel V. Ramos and for the benefit of the younger generations, I like to post some information about FVR.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos served under six Presidents as his Commander-in-Chief: Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino. FVR is known as an upright officer and a man of principle. He always worked and fought on the government side abiding by the Constitution as he is showing again this time under the presidency of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
FVR became the Acting Chief of the AFP when AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver was implicated in the murder case of Ninoy Aquino and Rolando Galman, He showed that he is not a dummy of the Marcos regime when he refused to sign the manifesto signed by 68 generals and officers in the military in support of Ver. He sticks to his principle and his allegiance and loyalty to the Constitution.
His military record was unblemished. He earned the respect of the entire nation most especially the rank and file of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Integrated National Police. He was the military leader of 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines. After Cory Aquino assumed the presidency, she appointed FVR Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and later Secretary of Defense, foiling
seven coup attempts against the Aquino administration.
FVR is a strong believer of the power of prayers. While others seem to ignore prayers, he often bows his head in reverence to God Almighty. He loves to quote passages from the Holy Bible as shown in many of his speeches. He always tells his audience,”Pray as you perform and perform as you pray.” In 1977, he could have been one of the 43 military personnel who were treacherously massacred by Muslim rebels had he accepted an invitation by then Brig. Gen. Teodulfo Bautista of Army First Tabak Division to join a peace dialogue in Patikul, Sulu. In 1990, while serving the country as Defense Secretary under President Cory Aquino, he and 12 others survived a crash landing of their Fokker reconnaissance aircraft. They were on a mission to visit frontline troops fighting the New People¹s Army.
He showed exceptional gallantry in combat during the Korean war. He was a member of the Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) whose mission was to help promote the welfare of the poor people of Vietnam by building roads and hospital and conducting medical and dental services for village people and refugees.
His formal training as a soldier at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point and his experiences in the Korean War and civic mission in Vietnam coupled with his masters degrees in Civil Engineering, Business Administration and National Security Administration proved valuable later in his own country when he became the 12th President of the Philippines. Ramos' six-year term as president is characterized by rapid economic growth and political stability in the country despite facing communist insurgencies, an Islamic separatist movement in Mindanao, and the onslaught of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
FVR is a peacemaker. The signing of the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF on September 2, 1996 in Malacanang after four years of careful negotiations was a crowning achievement of former President Fidel V. Ramos. It formally ended 24 years of Muslim rebellion since 1972 which claimed more than 100,000 precious lives. After four years as President, FVR had attained peace with military rebels and Muslims in the country. Prior to the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF, in October 13, 1995, the government with FVR as President, the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan (RAM), Soldiers of the Filipino People (SFP) and Young Officers Union (YOU), signed a peace agreement ending destabilization and dangerous threat to the country.
Filipinos must commit themselves to the mission of establishing a humane, democratic, peaceful, and progressive Philippine society based on respect for human dignity. We must all be Filipinos for better Philippines. Better yet, we must strive for the best if we can and there must be no reason why we cannot.
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