City Council pays tribute to Robredo

THE City Council Wednesday paid tribute to the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo who died in a plane crash in Masbate over the weekend.

Floor leader Tomas Monteverde IV, in his privilege speech in Wednesday's regular session, lauded the legacies and contributions of the late DILG secretary, not only as a government official but also as a father and a husband to his family.

The City Council offered a moment of silence as a gesture of respect and remembrance to former secretary Robredo.

"The demise of Secretary Robredo left a large void in government service. His untimely passing will be a big blow not only to his family and friends but also to the nation as a whole. But while we grieve for his loss, let us not forget what he stood and lived for," Monteverde said.

Monteverde said all of the legacies and ideals that Robredo has left will remain a living example to them as public officials.

"He stood for good governance, for doing the right thing in spite of strong opposition, he lived for people empowerment, for a participatory form of government where the people are the real voice behind the government’s policies and projects," he added.

On Tuesday, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said the flag fronting the City Hall will remain in half-mast until Robredo's burial on August 28.

The mayor said she will personally visit the secretary's wake to pay her last respects.

Meanwhile, the mayor said she already asked her brother, Councilor Paolo Duterte to go to Robredo's wake first and bring the wreath from the City Government.