THE enthusiastic and determined “driver” of “Manila on the Go,” former Mayor Gemiliano “Mel” Lopez Jr., suffered a massive heart attack last Jan. 1 and died at age 81.
The death of Lopez, who was mayor from 1986-1992 when the city government’s battlecry of “Manila on the Go” was a full swing, effectively put a stop to his hopeful dream of regaining the lost glory and grandeur of the premier city of the country.
Lopez was first named officer-in-charge of the city by former President Corazon Aquino after the 1986 Edsa Revolution. Two years later, or in 1988, Lopez won the mayoralty race and served up to 1992.
“Manila on the Go” was the centerpiece or focal point of Lopez’s desire to reinvigorate and literally renew the “total face” of his beloved city.
Lopez went out to improve the health, education, living condition, the infrastructure, and local governance—notably in the barangay level—among others.
More health centers and additional schoolrooms were built. Several streets, playgrounds, parks and plazas were inaugurated. Street and sidewalk vendors were regulated and disciplined. Jobs available at city hall and at factories and companies operating in the city.
Manila then was so alive, full of vigor, moving, surging with not in and fruitful activities, and really on the go, thanks to the leadership of the indefatigable Lopez.
“To be given the chances to serve our fellowmen is a rare and divine opportunity. You serve your people and you serve the Lord God Almighty. For me, I cannot ask for more, I vigorously thank Him for that,” Lopez once told journalists.
And so unlike many of government or public officials, Lopez, the statesman, and clean and straight politician that he was during his incumbency, always welcomed criticisms and even egged newsmen to “criticize me. Hit me. How would I know if I am doing right or wrong?”
“C’mon boys, do it. Do not be propagandists. Just do your job. One thing is sure. I can take all those brickbats, those innuendoes,” he added.
The attitude, his supporters said, stem from a genuine aspiration for sportsmanship.
He was a sportsman, especially interested in amateur boxing. There was a time he was involved in the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, headed the Philippine Sports Commission, and a force to be reckoned fighting graft and corruption at the Asia International Boxing Association.
At the time of his demise, he was chairman of the Philippine National Oil Commission where he started his tenure on September 2010. It was Lopez while PNOC top official, that he turned over to the national government coffer some P6 billion in income and savings.
It will be noted that Lopez enjoyed the trust and confidence of two presidents while at PNOC-Benigno Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte.
Aside from the above-mentioned positions, Lopez also held the posts of Manila city councilor, from 1967 to 1971—when the infamous and tragic Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party grand meeting happened that inflicted body wounds on him and scores of his party mates.
Also, Lopez was voted as one of Manila’s assemblyman from 1984-86, and was one of then Constabulary chief Gen. Fidel Ramos’ “jumping mates” at the Edsa People Power revolution.
Lopez’s remains lie in state at The Aeternum at Heritage Park in Taguig City. His body was brought to the Tondo Cathedral last night and will be transferred to city hall’s Bulwagang Villegas today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. The remains will be returned to Heritage Park, also today at 5 p.m.
Lopez from Aliaga, Nueva Ecija and Tondo, Manila, is survived by his wife, Concepcion Tantoco Lopez, and children: Alexander and Sallie Laurel, Carmen Anita and Angelito del Rosario, Rep. Manuel Luis and Suzette Hahn, Maria Victoria and QC Councilor Allan Reyes, Rosanna and Rep. Gilberto Duavit Jr., Philip and Sharon Pasamba, Gemiliano “Gino” III and Rajnna Cuadra, Michael Angelo and Fina Gupit, and Trina and Emil Ramos.