Friday, August 12, 2022
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Columns Eagle eyes by Tony La Vina

Fidel V. Ramos and red-tagging

Tony La ViñabyTony La Viña
March 23, 2021, 12:50 am
in Eagle eyes by Tony La Vina
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
117
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Fidel V. Ramos and red-tagging"It makes sense that the one who would want peace the most for the country is the soldier who became our greatest president."

 

 

Last March 18, Fidel V. Ramos (FVR as he is affectionately called), former president of the Philippines, turned 93 years old. According to a story in this newspaper, he celebrated this milestone privately with his family. My wish is that someday soon we can gather together to toast this great Filipino.

Cely Dimaculangan, FVR’s spokesman, shared an anecdote about FVR’s last meeting with friends before the lockdown last year. Among those he met was newly-appointed Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, now the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. When FVR saw Sobejana, he immediately recalled that he had granted the latter with the Medal of Valor way back in 1996.

FVR is my hero. He has been the best President of the Philippines—at least since Ferdinand Marcos.

ADVERTISEMENT

I am biased of course about saying the FVR is the best because I was one of the youngest in his Cabinet. In early 1996, when I was in my mid 30s, Ramos appointed me Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). I was recommended by his namesake, then DENR Secretary Victor O. Ramos, and FVR did not hesitate to appoint me for my credentials and record and cognizant that I did not have any political backing.

FVR was truly committed to sustainable development. He boasted about us when the DENR disallowed the building of what would have been the largest cement plant for the world in Bolinao, a town in FVR’s home province of Pangasinan. He liked that the Philippines was described in the international press as The Green Tiger of Asia. He was hands on in the Kyoto climate negotiations and was thrilled when US President Bill Clinton called him to enlist the help of the Philippines in concluding the negotiations in its final days. He sent me and Secretary Ramos the thank you note of Clinton and congratulated us for our work in Kyoto.

FVR left a legacy of good governance to the country, a template for future administrations: Complete staff work, a consensus building and inclusive approach to decision making, a global perspective, a passion for peace, adherence to democratic principles and processes,  a total commitment to levelling the playing field, modernization of our economy and government processes, reforming the tax system, and an emphasis on the social reforms, basic decency, and above all his belief that we can overcome our differences and tribalism and come together as one Team Philippines.

Indeed, Ramos’ greatness is that he sought to unite us in spite of our differences. Others sought to exploit those differences or pitted us against each other—even for good causes like national security, social reforms, anti-corruption, and the war vs drugs.

Ramos acknowledged these challenges and said that only a United Team Philippines can solve them. His attitude is one we badly need today as we face a pandemic that has again taken a turn for the worse for the country.

FVR reminds us that we can be a great country and not the bickering, conflict-driven, and disunited nation that Marcos, Erap, GMA, PNoy, and Digong has given us.

On a personal note, FVR was personally affectionate with me, especially when I joined the provincial Cabinet visits where he made me the point person for mining concerns. It’s interesting that my boss Secretary Vic Ramos assigned me to do those trips because some people apparently accused me of being a communist or a radical and that my best protection was for FVR to get to know me.

That is happening again today as red-tagging becomes a norm in the Duterte government. Among others, the mad dogs of anti-communism have targeted human rights, environmental, and indigenous peoples defenders. I am all of these, with student and youth activists and Lumad children and educators as my most prominent clients.

I am not a communist but proudly a radical on environmental and social justice. I believe absolutely in non-violent means to change society and is committed to a peaceful resolution of all our disputes. I am fully committed to uphold human rights and the rule of law and justice.

I have worked, representing the country in climate negotiations and in peace processes with the MNLF, MILF, and NDF, for all presidents from FVR onwards. I have worked and continue to work with many government departments, responding to requests for assistance on the subjects I have expertise on. I have engaged with many top and retired military and police officials and have taught/mentored (and continue to teach/mentor) dozens of young officers of the AFP.

There should be no reason why I should worry about my safety. But I do. I am actually resigned to being attacked, even killed by the mad dogs who have no capacity to distinguish between dissent and terrorism.

FVR is the best president we have ever had, and not the least because he put a stop to red-tagging during his time by repealing the odious Anti-Subversion Law. It might seem ironic but it actually makes sense that the one who would want peace the most for the country is the soldier who became our greatest president.

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Tags: Cely DimaculanganCirilito SobejanaFidel V. Ramosred-tagging
ADVERTISEMENT
Tony La Viña

Tony La Viña

Related Posts

Gilbert Son, missionary of hope

byTony La Viña
August 9, 2022, 12:05 am
0
756
Denying Villafuerte justice

"It is important to have an adult itinerary of faith, so that believers, with the grace of God, step by...

Read more

FVR’s template of good governance

byTony La Viña
August 6, 2022, 12:10 am
0
391
Denying Villafuerte justice

"FVR reminds us that we can be a great country and not the bickering, conflict-driven, and disunited nation that Marcos,...

Read more

Sickness unto death

byTony La Viña
August 2, 2022, 12:05 am
0
931
Denying Villafuerte justice

"I protest the suffering and deaths of my friends but I am also surprised by the beauty of their lives...

Read more

Terrible disinformation on Furigay killing

byTony La Viña
July 30, 2022, 12:05 am
0
1.3k
Hold the line together

"There is no justification for what suspect Dr. Chiao Tiao Yumul did and it must be condemned by all men...

Read more

Interesting first Sona by Marcos

byTony La Viña
July 26, 2022, 12:05 am
0
1.1k
Denying Villafuerte justice

"The president also took note of the increase in household consumption as the country continues to reopen, along with robust...

Read more

High expectations for Marcos’ first SONA

byTony La Viña
July 25, 2022, 12:15 am
0
505
Denying Villafuerte justice

"His administration will grapple with a wide variety of challenges, problems and issues, now existing or may yet emerge in...

Read more

Stories you may like

  • Zubiri new Senate President, vows to uphold chamber’s independence

    Marcos sees stronger PH-India relations

    5762 shares
    Share 2305 Tweet 1441
  • Showbiz icon Cherie Gil dies at 59

    2624 shares
    Share 1050 Tweet 656
  • Fuel rollback next week, power rate cut in August

    1254 shares
    Share 502 Tweet 314
  • Judgments and their execution

    1243 shares
    Share 497 Tweet 311
  • Appeal to BBM and Acuzar

    912 shares
    Share 365 Tweet 228

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • WBA assembly
  • Bankers’ induction
  • Should we take the ‘cleaner’ route today?
  • Lenovo helps equip youth with future-ready tech skills
  • RCBC Bankard, RCBC intensify anti-cybercrime efforts, remove clickable links on emails, SMS, Viber
  • Investors meet startups at RISE Pitch Night
  • Globe selling P90B worth of towers
  • Stocks extend rally; BDO and Puregold top gainers

Advertisement

Latest News

Investors meet startups at RISE Pitch Night

byManila Standard Digital
August 12, 2022, 8:10 pm
0
130
Investors meet startups at RISE Pitch Night

Studies show that nearly 90 percent of startups eventually fail, leaving only 10 percent surviving to continue their journey. Startups’...

Read more

Globe selling P90B worth of towers

byDarwin G. Amojelar
August 12, 2022, 8:05 pm
0
132
How to throw a hybrid holiday party

Globe Telecom Inc. said Friday it expects to raise nearly P90 billion from the sale of over 7,000 towers, the...

Read more

Stocks extend rally; BDO and Puregold top gainers

byManila Standard Businessand1 others
August 12, 2022, 8:00 pm
0
134
Global markets, oil prices slump on new virus variant

Share prices edged higher Friday to sustain Thursday’s rally after the closely watched US consumer prices index eased more than...

Read more

Alliance Global hikes 2022 capital spending by 33% to P60B

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 12, 2022, 7:55 pm
0
133
ALLIANCE GLOBAL GROUP, INC.: Notice of Annual Stockholders’ Meeting

Alliance Global Group Inc. is allocating P60 billion for 2022 capital expenditures, up 33 percent from last year’s level as...

Read more

Ayala’s 6-month income jumped 56% to P16.3B

byJenniffer B. Austria
August 12, 2022, 7:50 pm
0
131
Ayala sells all shares in BPO subsidiary HCX

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. said Friday net income jumped 56 percent in the first half to P16.3 billion, driven by higher...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App