Kaya Natin!

We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for good governance and ethical leadership wish to laud the recent decision by President Benigno “Noynoy”Aquino III to appoint our Co-Founder and colleague, former Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

We believe that Robredo is not only highly qualified for the aforementioned position but he is the best possible choice to spearhead one of the most influential and powerful departments in our government. His appointment is a testament to Aquino’s pronouncements of only selecting the best and the brightest for his Cabinet. Moreover, Robredo also exemplifies what it truly means to become an effective, ethical and empowering leader as evidenced by how he has transformed Naga City from a sleepy third-class city to one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in the country. At present, Naga City is now part of the Gawad Galing Pook Awards’ Hall of Fame due to the many innovative and effective programs that Robredo has implemented during his 18 years as its city mayor. Due to his outstanding exploits in governance, it is no wonder that Robredo has received various awards and fellowships such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service (acknowledged as Asia’s equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize) and the Edward Mason Fellowship from the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

As current and former local and national government leaders, we believe that Robredo will be able to help improve the delivery of basic services especially in the fields of education, housing and healthcare in the various local government units all over the country as he has done in Naga City. In addition to this, we believe that he will work hand in hand with the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring that peace and order are maintained throughout our country and that all forms of illegalities shall be stamped out immediately.

We invite all well-meaning Filipinos who believe in good governance and ethical leadership to support Robredo and the Aquino administration as it moves towards fulfilling its campaign promise to curb corruption and eventually poverty in our country. It is only through genuine people power that we can continue to strengthen our democratic institutions and move forward as a progressive nation.

Signed:

HON. GRACE PADACA, fmr. Governor, Isabela

HON. EDDIE PANLILIO, fmr. Governor, Pampanga

HON. TEDDY BAGUILAT,JR., Representative, Ifugao

HON. TEOFISTO GUINGONA III, Senator

HON. BOLET BANAL, Representative, Quezon City

HON. ROQUE VERZOSA, JR., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur

HON. SONIA LORENZO,  fmr. Mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija

HON. GLORIA CONGCO, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

HON. MARIVIC BELENA,  Mayor, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

HON. FLORANTE GERDAN, fmr. Mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya

HON. FERMIN MABULO,  fmr. Mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur

HON. VALENTE YAP, Mayor, Bindoy, Negros Oriental

HON. MABEL SUNGA-ACOSTA, fmr. Councilor, Davao City

HON. NERIC ACOSTA, fmr. Representative, Bukidnon

HON. MARY JANE ORTEGA, fmr. Mayor, San Fernando City, La Union