From www.mb.com.ph (April 5, 2002)

(Speech delivered by former Presiding Justice MANUEL R. PAMARAN, President, ROTC Hunters Guerilla Asso.; Member, Supreme Council, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, before the Rotary Club of Makati-Legaspi, April 4, 2002.)

IT is with mixed feeling of humility and pride that I appear before you today. Greater men than I am have preceded me to this rostrum and the thought of it at once evokes in me a deep sense of humility. At the same time, I feel singularly proud to be invited to express a measure of my thoughts before this distinguished forum regarding World War II veterans in view of the approaching observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week.

Presidential Memorandum Order No. 52, providing for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week on April 5-11, 2002, is a fitting salute to the unparalleled gallantry and courage displayed by World War II veterans during the war. The observance commemorates the historical events that transpired during World War II like the Battle of Bataan and Corregidor, the death march followed by enduring captivity and various guerilla activities of the Filipino veterans who sacrificed their lives and limbs under agonizing and tormenting circumstances so that freedom and democracy will be enjoyed by generations of Filipinos. It becomes incumbent upon us who are savoring the fruits of their supreme sacrifice to reflect on and revisit our way of life and devise measures with a solid aim to implement them so that the love and greatness for the country which they dreamt and fought for will become a reality. Among these are:

We do away with the costly, violent and dirty elections wherein even the undeservings are elected, by improving the present electoral system in which only the patriotic and intelligible are elected in a fair, honest, inexpensive and peaceful election; imbue our civil service system with meritocracy wherein only the best and brightest, based primarily on merit and seniority, insulated from pernicious effect of partisan influence and unmitigated personal aggrandizement, are appointed. We venture into a crusade to rehabilitate our sagging mores in private and public life so that graft and corruption which hamper our aspiration to greatness and better life will be a thing of the past and our obeisance to our free and democratic processes should not be interpreted and practiced to suit one's political or personal convenience, aim and purpose. We deeply respect and interpret our Constitution and laws along peaceful democratic processes for they are the only true expression of the sovereign will especially on governance, as the alternative to it is tumult in the street and turbulence, inflamed passion and acrimony tending to destabilize institutions. If we will pull ourselves together in the same manner that we were solidly united during the war days to achieve this goal, the salute we are giving World War II veterans every year is not hollow, delusive and merely ceremonial but with sincerity and dedication. We likewise prove that they did not die and sacrifice in vain for we carry on the torch, so to speak, for the fullest fulfillment of our dreams and aspirations as a nation. To act otherwise, is to betray instead of paying homage to their ideals.

Viewed from another angle, World War II veterans are fast diminishing in number and suffering from declining physical strength while treading the last mile of their journey. In that predicament, they should be given the reward that they richly deserve, not only increase in material aid to lift them up from the deep morass of penury and woe, but also such other acts of grace that a grateful nation deems fit and proper, not for pity but for honor and justice, recognition and respect for holding aglow the holy fire of patriotism at the time it was needed most. Truthfully, they did not think of this material reward when they engaged in the crucible of battles but it is for us the living to make the necessary and appropriate response for them to live in dignity. Will your heart not break asunder and your tears fall if you see World War II veterans homeless and destitute! And what is lamentable about the whole thing is that in those days of darkness and tribulations, the United States soldiers who happened to be their comrades-in-arm for the greater interest of their government are enjoying the benefits of triumph and glory but our veterans are neglected and have to still struggle for equal enjoyment of the same.

Certainly, a determined dedication and commitment to implement the results of those reflections and revisitation as stated before will make Philippine Veterans Week truly meaningful and significant. With the full support of the civic-minded and well-meaning Rotarians, whose love of country and abiding concern for the veterans are at their loftiest level, these will undoubtedly be fully accomplished.

Thank you and good day.