MANY, if not nearly all of those present at the recent groundbreaking of a yet-to-rise cancer center that would provide cancer-stricken Manilans with free medical help, were surprised to find out that House Speaker Martin Romualdez is a grounded person with a relatable sense of humor.
Though born with the proverbial silver spoon, the House leader showed utmost humility and simplicity in many unexpected ways, not to mention his genuine concern and empathy for the poor.
Firstly, it was notable how he repeatedly addressed Mayor Honey Lacuna as ‘Ma’am, ’ which made the lady cringe in sort of embarrassment each time he did so.
Once the event was over, he gave in to all requests for a selfie, even standing up from his seat to shake the hands of each of those who had their pictures taken with him.
Unlike other politicians or government officials who would scurry back to the comfort of their airconditioned SUVS after an event, Speaker Martin stayed on and patiently posed with everyone who wanted a picture or take selfies with him. The lines were long and seemed endless but he did not mind and even enjoyed it.
He was very approachable and amiable, even more than some security personnel who pissed some people off with their pushing, albeit occasionally, that one elderly woman from a group representing a certain barangay, said: “mabuti pa ‘yung boss ninyo mabait.” That is so correct and I believe that such actuation was isolated and happened without the consent and knowledge of the good Speaker.
As he delivered his speech, Speaker Martin spoke of his roots in Manila, recounting his childhood days (they have an ancestral home in Pandacan) when his mother would bring him to swim in the waters of Manila Bay, plus the fact that he is related to the late Miguel Romualdez who once served as mayor of Manila.
But what brought the house down was when Speaker Martin announced plans to have no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. grace the inauguration of the center, which, based on the proposal of Congressman Irwin Tieng, will be named, Governor Benjamin Romualdez Cancer Center, the Pesident’s favorite uncle.
The same thing happened when the Speaker bared plans to possibly put a housing facility near the center, so that the families of the cancer patients will have no difficulty going to and from the hospital in case their ill family member needs to be confined for treatment.
Speaker Martin knows what he is talking about since his father was taken away from them by cancer.
This, he said, is one of the reasons why the project is close to his heart, so much so that he had committed to fully fund the center at least during the duration of his term. He also pledged that his family would underwrite the expenses that could not be covered by the allotted funds.
Mayor Honey Lacuna was all praises for Speaker Romualdez whom she described as “a true gentleman, having a heart for the poor and for being a man of his word,” saying how impressed she was by how the Speaker acted so swiftly on a promise he made just a couple of days before they met again at the groundbreaking ceremony of the said specialty center, which will rise in the premises of the city government’s flagship hospital,
Speaker Romualdez told the lady mayor that he had brought with him no less than House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Zaldy Co and majority floor leader Manuel Dalipe to ensure that all of her requests will be acted upon soonest.
The mayor profusely thanked the Speaker and Congressman Tieng for supporting her administration’s programs meant to provide free healthcare services for the poor, noting what the center would mean a lot for those who are stricken with cancer, whose cost of treatment ranges from P120,000 to over a million.
“We assure you Speaker, that this edifice will be maintained and sustained by our city government. Pero mas maganda po sana, kung hindi man kalabisan, maglalambing na rin kami na sana ay itodo nyo na, kumpletuhin nyo na po sana pati mga equipment at logistical requirement nitong ating Cancer Center,” Mayor Honey said in her speech.
To this, the Speaker’s answer was a resounding ‘yes na yes’ even jokingly describing himself as a ‘yes man sa Kongreso.’
Indeed, Mayor Honey and the entire city of Manila and its 1.8 million residents, are very fortunate to be at the receiving end of the Speaker’s generosity and admirable kindness, specially toward those who have less in life.
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