Good night, Sweet Prince!

Governor Joseph G. Marañon will be laid to rest today in Sagay City. Not only the province but the whole country as well mourns his passing because Joseph Galicia Marañon has served his province and his people well that has left a lasting monument in their hearts.

One of the best tributes to Governor Marañon was a column of Rolly Espina in this page last Saturday when he said Marañon is the best governor. Rolly served for a long time a late former Governor.

I cannot disagree with Rolly.

Leaders, especially the elected ones, are measured by their love of their people, and their people’s love for them, their achievements in terms of their service to these people, the leaders who followed, and their honesty.

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“Three One Nine,” that was how the Governor was known to close friends. This was his call sign in radio before the coming of cell phones. And 3-1-9 is his birth date, March 19. Three One Nine had all the attributes of a good Governor.

He was so hard working and “hands on” on everything he did. And he was very decisive. He gave fast good decisions. Most often politicians would tell you, they will first study the matter.

Give the Guv a problem and if convinced after listening to you, he tells you right away, “When do we start?” And so far none of what he did was questioned.

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He had earned the trust and confidence as well as the respect of every one. So, he never encountered problems in everything that he did.

He cleared the lots around the Capitol of the squatters. He was not questioned. And even the squatters agreed with him.

In his two reelection bids, he practically was unopposed having just token candidates against him.

As a politician, Marañon was not partisan. In the election last year, when he decided to throw his support for Fernando Poe Jr. some mayors stuck it out with the President.

Marañon did not take it against them. He still maintained his friendship with those mayors, even maintaining his friendship with the people of the President and the President herself.

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But if there is one trait that has made Gov. Marañon very outstanding, it is his honesty. No one has raised and can raise a question on his use of funds of the province. He was very strict with funds.

In the last election, I heard, he was offered like other politicians a big amount, much much bigger than those given to Congressmen from the fertilizer fund.

He politely refused the offer. And many other offers from Malacañang. Gov. Marañon politely refused them. That’s why he stood tall. He was also not used to going to Malacañang for some favors. When other Governors would troop there, he would not.

Many said, Marañon could do that because he has the money. No, I think other Governors may have more than what he has. But they would be there to receive the largesse. Honesty is in the person.

It is on this that I give a bigger salute for the late Governor.

On his interment today, I want to quote Shakespeare on his Hamlet when he wrote, “Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, Sweet Prince. May the best of angels sing you to your sleep.”

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Now, the baton in the political relay is in the hands of the new Governor Pidio Zayco who was chosen by Gov. Marañon himself and whom he found to be a very effective partner.

We support him too as he carries the legacy left by the Governor.

Gov. Zayco needs our full support.

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My British friend, Ken Reader was here last weekend and we had lunch with our other British friend Neil Honeyman. Whenever he comes, I always tell Ken Reader, welcome home. And he likes it as he consideres Bacolod also a home. He lent me a book, “The English World.”

I have always liked England, its writers, poets, and its form of government, the first parliamentary government.

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Yesterday was Palm Sunday that ushers in  Holy Week. It is very important to understand the meaning of Palm Sunday that illustrates the fickleness of people.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday with people lining up the streets waving palms, singing “Hosana” welcoming and adoring him.

On Ash Wednesday, he was arrested for claiming to be the King of the Jews. On Friday, he was crucified.

This should be dinned into the minds of all. People may like you now. Tomorrow they may hate you. When Jose de Venecia spoke in Congress he was lustily applauded by all. Less than an hour later when a resolution was voted upon whether to oust him or not, 174 out of 230 of the Congressmen voted to oust him.*

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