The Philippine Constitution Association, led by House of Representatives Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, on Monday paid tribute to its members and colleagues, including former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who died in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During Philconsa’s commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, Romualdez honored their colleagues, former Senator Lim, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, former Reps. Romulo Lumauig of Ifugao and Mariano Tajon of Ilocos Norte, and journalist Domini Torrevillas for their contribution to public service.
“We bid them farewell. May their names be forever etched in our people’s memories,” said Romualdez after the necrological mass presided by Fr. Robert Reyes before Philconsa’s commemoration of Constitution Day.
“It is a great honor to speak before you today (Monday night), my friends in PHILCONSA, as we pay a tribute of love and respect to five of our colleagues who had left us to join our Creator. Truly, I consider myself privileged to lead this ceremony in memory of five great Filipinos who had served our country fully well till the last of their dying breath,” Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines and chairman of the House committee on rules, said.
“These five—Fred, Danny, Romy, Mar and Domini—all hold a special place in our hearts. It pains us to realize that we will never see them again, but we are comforted by the fact that they left a lasting legacy that we in PHILCONSA will forever be proud of. Our fallen colleagues may be gone, but I am sure that their memories will linger on forever in the hearts and minds of those whose lives they had touched,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez said Fred Lim, best known as the Dirty Harry of Manila, held the distinction as the most heavily decorated police officer of the country’s capital with a notable collection of more than 40 medals and 400 commendations.
He said Lim also served as superintendent of the Philippine National Police and director of the National Bureau of Investigation.
As a public official, he never abandoned his advocacy to make the communities safe while serving as Mayor of Manila, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and Senator of the Republic, Romualdez said.
Danny Lim, on the other hand, was described as a virtuous military general who commanded respect from his fellow soldiers due to his fierceness in battle and loyalty to the service, according to the Philconsa President.
A bemedalled officer like Fred Lim, Romualdez said Danny Lim’s collection of commendations included the coveted Distinguished Service Star, the Gold Cross Medal and the Bronze Cross Medal.
“He is one of the few Filipinos who consider as his Alma Mater three leading institutions: the United States Military Academy, the Philippine Military Academy and the University of the Philippines. He served as Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence of the Bureau of Customs under President Benigno Aquino III, and MMDA Chairman under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Romualdez said.
He said Romy Lumauig, who served as Vice President for Luzon of PHILCONSA, was known to all as a brilliant lawyer, former congressman, Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry, legislative adviser to President Fidel Ramos, former president of the UP Vanguard and a stalwart officer of the Manila Lions Club.
“Romy was a proud member of the Ifugao tribe, an active member of the Gaddang community who fought for the rights and welfare of National Cultural Minorities both in his public and private life,” Romualedez said.
He said Mar Tajon, Philconsa’s Vice President for Litigation, led a storied and colorful life as a brilliant lawyer and public figure in Ilocos Sur.
“From his first jab at politics as Sangguniang Bayan Member of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, in 1977, he steadily rose to prominence in the province due to hard work and dedication to duty. He was later elected Provincial Board Member, Vice-Governor, Governor and Congressman of the First District of Ilocos Sur.”
Romualdez said Philippine Star columnist Torrevillas was considered as one of the country’s most distinguished and courageous journalists.
“Of course, who doesn’t know Domini Torrevillas. Her distinguished career saw her evolve from her stint at the Manila Bulletin to becoming a staff writer and editor of Panorama Magazine until her transfer to the Philippine Star. She was not only a principled and excellent writer, but also a staunch advocate of humanitarian causes,” Romualdez said.
Philconsa is the oldest and respectable association of legal luminaries in the country which has been existing for almost 60 years.
Among the notable leaders of Philconsa are retired Court of Appeals Justice Manuel Lazaro as chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno as President Emeritus and other legal luminaries.
During the commemoration of Constitution Day, Lazaro delivered the Constitution Day Message and Rita Linda Jimeno, Philconsa vice president for constitutional reforms, moderated the open forum.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, was the guest of honor and speaker of Philconsa’s Monday night event.
