Charter’s father serves as ‘model of governance’
-A A +AThursday, February 24, 2011
HE is God’s gift to the Cebuanos.
This was how former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. described Don Vicente Rama, father of the Cebu City Charter.
Davide, guest lecturer in the 9th Don Vicente Rama Memorial Lecture held yesterday, said Rama—who was also called Nyor Inting—was more than an ordinary mortal.
The lecture is one of the highlights of the 74th Cebu City Charter Day celebration.
“He was a man of vision that, with his valor and vigilance, conquered all for the glory of righteousness and rectitude…and has genuine love and service all for the greater glory of God. Nyor Inting is indeed God’s gift to the Cebuanos,” he said.
In his 30-minute talk, Davide also described Rama as an exemplary public servant. He said Rama promoted good governance and rendered selfless service to others.
Public trust
“He lived up to the character that public office is a public trust and that must be emulated by all government officials and employees,” he said.
In the 1930s, Rama was known for his insistent vigilance as a watchdog of public coffers. He was credited for uncovering a scandal in the Philippine National Bank Cebu.
As a journalist, Davide said, Rama was a model of integrity, prudence, good faith and respect for individuals.
“Nyor Inting has upheld the nobility of the pen,” he said.
Ethics
He urged the media to emulate Rama, uphold the ethics of the profession, work hard for the truth and justice, and never allow themselves to become mouthpieces of politicians.
Rama was a staff member of El Precursor and editor of Kauswagan. He also became a writer, editor and publisher of Nueva Fuerza or Bag-ong Kusog, where he wrote about irregularities in government. His great-grandson Michael is currently mayor of Cebu City.
At the end of his talk, Davide challenged the organizers of the Charter Day celebration to publish a compilation of previous lectures about Rama, to remember the man.
Rama will also be honored today, during the culmination of the City Government’s celebration of the Charter Day.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 24, 2011.
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