Daet City mayor cites Robredo as his idol, mentor and friend

By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

Thursday 23rd of August 2012

DAET, Camarines Norte, August 23 (PIA) -- “Secretary Jesse Robredo was my idol, mentor and friend,” said Mayor Tito Sarion of Daet yesterday during the Daet Press Corps meeting.

As a youth leader, Sarion said he wanted to emulate Robredo and other leaders like former Sen. Raul Roco and Cong. Marcial Pimental.

He said many of his advocacies and ideas in governance and politics are inspired by the successes of Robredo in Naga City.

The mayor said he also advocated independence from national subsidies and even established a political force in his own, doing away with traditional political power.

“To a mayor like me, to become a Robredo is a dream – to be given such recognition like the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), Kondrad Adenuaer and Ramon Magsaysay Awards,” Sarion said.

Mayor Sarion said as a mentor, Robredo coached them to become manager and champions.

The late secretary, he said, was deeply committed in making the country great again by way of changing the core values of good government and the values of local leaders as vanguards of the local development.

Sarion said that was not learned from the books.

He cited that Jesse was a friend – a friend so special that they listen to him.

“He was reliable and a man of word. Even how busy and far he was, he see to it that he will come and meet up to a commitment. When he say Yes, it’s 100 percent yes,” Sarion said.

“Jesse, wherever you are, your character as a person will continue to inspire us. In behalf of the people of Daet, thank you very much,” he added. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte)