Strong Government

Speech During the 2nd Globalaw Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, Manila Polo Club, Makati City

In my official capacity as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, I am very happy to welcome all of you to our country. I hope that you will enjoy your short stay. You must.In my official capacity as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, I am very happy to welcome all of you to our country. I hope that you will enjoy your short stay. You must.

We all are delighted at the degree of importance you place to your second conference as a global organization. That you selected our country to be your venue delights us no end. Let it not be the last. With Fortun, Narvasa, and Salazar Law office, you are in the best company, certainly and absolutely.

Incidentally, I happen to be one of the most celebrated clients of this law office. I honestly do not know whether the celebrity status belongs to the law office or mine. But I can tell you I am being taken care of very properly. Of course, I am also paying my legal fees very religiously.  Continue reading “Strong Government”

My Report Card

Speech before the Question Mark Club, Hagonoy, Bulacan

This is my first time to come to Hagonoy to deliver a speech after last year’s elections. I am greatly honored.

Hagonoy has become the home of titans. One of them is my esteemed mentor at the Senate, the Honorable BIas Ople. He has taught me a lot. I have yet a lot to learn from his vast wealth of experience and intelligence. I hope to ripen into a statesman of his stature someday.

Hagonoy is blessed because of Ka BIas. In fact, the entire nation is.  Continue reading “My Report Card”

This Empire of Darkness

Commencement Exercises of Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College

Nothing in this world gives parents the highest sense of achievement than to witness the graduation of their children. When children graduate from school, we know that parents have arrived.

Show me your parents and I will tell you who you are. Congratulations to all the parents of our graduating students.

The next class of people I want to congratulate are the teachers. They are our extended parents.  Continue reading “This Empire of Darkness”

Take a Break!

Speech delivered at the 2002 PMAAA Homecoming (Overseas Chapter), LA, California

On my way to the United States, while on the plane, I was reading the speech prepared by my staff for this occasion. The tone was too political I had second thoughts of using it. Not that this audience would not welcome to hear about the political developments in our country as an interesting subject matter, but I feel we are here on a fellowship gathering so I have chosen to tone it down a bit.

Quite frankly, I am having butterflies in my stomach even as I face you tonight. Having subscribed with our group websites namely plebe and cavaliers as well as the academy cavaliers’ forum, I can more or less draw my own conclusion on what kind of audience I would have here.

Basing such conclusion on the postings I read, let me venture a guess – one third would be cynical at the outset or even before I open my mouth, another third would be non-believers and the remaining third would be unmindful of the things I will say. Never mind. At the end of the day, it is the cavalier spirit that I hope I can bank on to finish my day unscathed or maybe I’m hoping too much.  Continue reading “Take a Break!”

Education, the Best Way Out of Misery

Speech at the Recognition Program of Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

As a Senator of the Republic, born and raised in our own historic province. I am very happy and honored to be part of today’s Recognition Day of the Cavite State University.  Continue reading “Education, the Best Way Out of Misery”