Reminiscing FVR

Today, March 18, is the 96th birthday of Fidel Valdez Ramos, fondly known as “FVR,” or more intimately as “Eddie” by his buddies. He is dubbed as the “first and only Protestant President of Catholic Philippines,” the only general to ascend to the constitutional title, “Commander in Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines,” and arguably, the “Best President of the Republic” complete with a grand vision of “Philippines 2000.”PRESIDENT RAMOS HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. He plucked me from anonymity and conscripted me, though thoroughly unworthy, to the highest court of the land without passing through the judicial ladder. Let me reminisce briefly about how and why.

On the morning of June 16, 1992—when his election was already assured but before assuming his office on June 30, 1992—on my way to the City Hall of Manila to attend a court hearing, he rang my huge, extra heavy mobile phone connected to my car. To my surprise, the caller said, “Is this Attorney Art Panganiban? This is Eddie.” A little irritated that someone unfamiliar knew my private number, I asked, “Eddie who?” He half-laughingly replied, “Eddie Ramos … I would like to invite you to a one-on-one meeting tomorrow, June 17, at 7 a.m. at my private office, Room 202, 845 Pasay Road, Makati.”And so, at the appointed time and day, I knocked at the white door marked simply as “202.” It was promptly opened by a stocky gentleman who introduced himself, “I am Joe Almonte. Please come in. The President is waiting for you.” He ushered me to a big conference room with only the President-elect and me in attendance. After an hour of exchanging views on my philosophy of law and the people’s expectations of their new leader, he asked me to be his secretary of justice. He added that he was also inviting, IMHO, a worthier Catholic lay leader, Henrietta “Tita” De Villa, to join his government.

TAKEN ABACK AND PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, I mumbled, “Thank you, Mr. President. However, I do not think I deserve to join your Cabinet, because I did not campaign for you. I believe that only those who campaigned for you and believe in your program of government should be included in your official family.” He smiled and demurred, “I know you did not campaign for me. You did not even vote for me. You voted for your mentor Jovy Salonga. But that’s alright. I want to have a nonpartisan Cabinet. I want to be president of all the people, not only of those who voted for me. I will give you two weeks to think it over and consult your family and friends. Because of our association in Rotary, I know you to be a brilliant lawyer and a capable executive.”

Munching his unlighted tobacco, he recollected quite impressively, “We both entered the Rotary Club of Manila in 1983. We privately chatted on current events during its meetings … I was extremely pleased at the way you ran the Club during your presidency in 1990-1991. You started with a vision, ‘Love God, Serve Man,’ and outlined in a printed manual the 78 projects you proposed, together with the committees you created, the huge budget you needed, and a week-by-week timeline on how those projects were to be fulfilled within your term. A year after, during your valedictory, you circulated a printed report with a spreadsheet on how these projects were accomplished. Quite impressive, even as you were given a standing ovation after your speech.”

TO CUT THE LONG STORY SHORT, I respectfully declined his kind offer as secretary of justice but happily accepted his alternative, as associate justice of the Supreme Court. I owe my appointment solely to President Ramos (to him only, as I had no padrinos or “sponsors”). Nonetheless, he respected my independence and never influenced me directly or indirectly throughout my more than 11 years in the Court. Though I voted against some cases and even authored one decision contrary to his perceived wishes, he never voiced or even hinted at his displeasure, much less urged me to vote one way or the other. Truly, a gentleman of the highest caliber.When he finished his term on June 30, 1998, he sent me an edifying letter, “On behalf of the Philippine government and the Filipino people, I wish to convey to you my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the exemplary service, professionalism, and deep commitment to our people’s well-being and national interest which you have shown in your capacity as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court during the Ramos Administration.”

I replied, “I have tried my very best to discharge my duties consistent with the excellence and high-mindedness that I believe you expected from me. I thought that the best way to respond to your trust was to fulfill my duties in the Supreme Court with moral courage, integrity, and dedication.”Every year, during my incumbency, I wrote a book to report on the fulfillment of my duties. My book for 1998 titled “Battles in the Supreme Court,” was dedicated to him in this wise. “To President Fidel V. Ramos, Leader, Reformer, Builder, Peacemaker, and Gentleman.”