What a gift it is that kindness can be learned by witnessing it in others. Surrounded by such examples, we have every reason, and no excuse, not to be kind as well.

I feel humbled to share this space with Dr. Milwida “Nene” M. Guevara, whom I consider a dear friend and a shining example of what it means to be a good Filipino: maka-Diyos, makatao, at makabansa.

I do not know what I have done to deserve it, but Ma’am Nene has always been so kind to me.

Below is her message on the passing of former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former Senate President of the Philippines, Juan Ponce Enrile.

* * *

I had second thoughts about writing this piece.

I saw and experienced the good side of Senator Enrile.

The economy was in tatters when FVR was elected. We had a 24-hour blackout. The treasury hit rock bottom. Debt piled up. Prices and interest rates were sky-high.

The first order of the day was to raise revenues to regain stability.

But what to do? Tax evasion was rampant, especially with cigarette, liquor, and beer companies. Drivers protested against lifting the subsidy on oil products. The VAT was a weakling because services were untaxed.

President Ramos tasked Enrile to strengthen a weak revenue system.

Against all odds, against all lobby groups, and against all paid hacks in Congress, he did it.

For 3 years, tax collection surged. The budget was in surplus.

I was not only awed by his courage and brilliance! I was humbled by his kindness.

He defended my right to stay in committee and bicam meetings even if congressmen threw me out.

He offered to send me to Houston to recover.

He listened to reason amidst opposing lobbies with matching financial rewards.

He checked my Excel sheets and computed revenue estimates. “Hindi mo ako maloloko”.

And then I stayed away when he was on top of the world. He was Senate President.

I only came back when he was no longer in power and lost his friends. There were only 3 of us celebrating his birthday in a hospital ward.

I will always remember you with kindness, JPE. May you rest in peace.

* * *

Dr. Milwida “Nene” M. Guevara is the founding president and general counsel of the Synergeia Foundation, which works with local governments so that education can be efficiently and equitably delivered.

She served as undersecretary of the Department of Finance from 1991 to 2000 responsible for revenue generation and tax reforms. She worked as a tax advisor in the International Monetary Fund, and Program Officer of the Ford Foundation. She is a member of the faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Government.

For her integrity, excellence in public finance, and leadership in improving the quality of basic education, Dr. Guevara was conferred the 2nd Gawad Haydee Yorac Award in 2008. Synergeia was conferred the Peace Award for its work in Muslim Mindanao and the Ozanam Award for finding joy in working with the poor. (EDCOM2, the Second Congressional Commission on Education)