MANILA, Philippines — Incoming DoTC Secretary Mar Roxas said that he chose this theme song, Trains & Boats & Planes  written by Burt Bacharach and sung by Dionne Warwick as it is the way our people and economy move As in the human body, that’s where the blood flows, the veins, the arteries of the body, he noted.

Very apt analogy and in our cyberspace age, we may add that the turf has become even wider. His appointment was much welcomed, not only because of his past experience in government but because he had been a major force in establishing the foundation and direction of the ICT industry starting with the Philippines E-Commerce Law, RA 8792,  policies in business process outsourcing, and related concerns in the telecommunication industry.

The President is giving him a free hand in running this department which deals with multi-billion-peso contracts, primarily involving public-private partnerships. This includes seeking solutions and alternatives to earlier controversial projects, some of which have been mired in anomalous transactions like Piatco, NBN broadband deal, Ro-Ro, and LRT and MRT projects. Outgoing Secretary Ping de Jesus described his appointment as a wise and excellent choice .

At the monthly Liberal party get-together last Monday night, we asked him whether it would be DoTC or Chief of Staff and he said that it would depend on the President. And indeed, it was really after that dinner when he and the President decided that it would be the better alternative as there is a “fire out there in the frontline that needed to be put out.”

Mar would still be P-Noy’s main  troubleshooter and adviser as well as senior member of the economic team. This puts an end to several months of speculation, and a relief to many who were worried about potential rivalry and overlap of functions with the Executive Secretary.

To some, who see the need for responsive and proactive policies, including regulation in the telecommunication industry, his coming in is a much welcome development. It is a tangible demonstration of the desire to “fix broken institutions,” one   of the goals of the administration’s  social contract.

The LP monthly gathering was also an occasion to honor the memory of the late Rafael Nantes, former governor and Liberal Party treasurer. It will be remembered that year ago. The tragedy which occurred right after the plane took off is shrouded in mystery and is still under investigation. At the “parangal,” hosted by Governor Alfonso Umali, a close family friend, the latter recalled the governor’s dedicated service to his constituents and the Liberal Party where he was a stalwart of the National Executive Council.

Betty, his widow, who is a director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, continues to support projects that the governor had initiated. His life and political career (including black propaganda linking him to drug syndicates) was featured as the cover article of the Philippines Free Press May 14 issue.

The report further describes the “brand of public service” of this representative of Quezon province for three consecutive terms and governor as “remarkable.” One of few congressmen who successfully sourced out R3.8-billion fund for projects,  he prioritized the construction and improvement of several circumferential and barangay  road networks, feeder ports, wharves, and fishing ports in his first district.

He also supported livelihood and leadership program for professionals and the poor. An environmental advocate, he was a model for the youth as he exemplified virtues of thrift, hard work, and persistence. As an entrepreneur, through his industrial battery enterprise, he showed how wealth can be generated through science and engineering.

Betty shares this acronym of the NANTES PO Program – N- Negosyo at Kooperatibismo; A- Agricultura at Likas-Yaman; N- Nutrisyon at Kalusugan; T- Technolohiya at Komunikasyon’ E-Edukasyon, S-Suportang Serbisyo; at P – Peace and O-Order; which she says are his aspirations. .

Tomorrow, on the anniversary of  Independence Day, I will celebrate the day by  remembering specific freedom fighters. As media freedom is one of my advocacies,  I would like to remember the late Jose Burgos, founder and editor of Malaya, as well as the Kalinga broadcaster of Radyo ng Bayan who was mauled by the provincial governor for daring to expose illegal logging and other malpractices.

May you have a meaningful Independence Day! My e-mail is florbraid@yahoo.com