INTRODUCTION
I thank Professor Jose V. Abueva and the leadership, citizenship and democracy program of the university of the Philippines for the opportunity to be part of this book-launching of the memoirs of one of our nation’s eminent statesmen, former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga.

In the cynical world of politics, there is a saying that the title of “Statesman” is a euphemism for dead leaders who could not be honestly praised while still living.

However, I do know that we reserve the title of “statesman” for a principled, high-minded and effective political leader who exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship.

It is certainly truthful and accurate to say that Senator Salonga is a statesman.

This is evidenced by the continuing high esteem he enjoys among our people and his fellow leaders because of his outstanding achievements in his life-long service to our country as a political leader — not to mention his contributions in his private capacity as a lawyer and legal scholar.
AN INVALUABLE MEMOIR
It is very rare that Filipino political leaders write their memoirs or autobiography.

Maybe it is because one needs superior understanding of public affairs and superior writing skills to do it.

But perhaps the real reason is that few have the courage and integrity of Jovy Salonga to tell the truth about public life and one’s experiences. Filipino leaders find it especially difficult to hurt and antagonize their many associates and friends by revealing the truth about them and about themselves.

By this invaluable memoir, Jovy Salonga has made available to the world his deepest thoughts on legislation and policy-formulation, pierced the veil of mystery, and sometimes secrecy, that screens decision-making. He shares with us his views on how our democratic institutions function and how our leaders discharge their duties and responsibilities with the people’s participation.

Jovy, you provide important lessons for our leaders to heed and a text for civic education.

It is for all of this that your memoirs have inestimable value.

Congratulations for this exemplary personal and scholarly achievement in public accountability of your Senate presidency during its crucial revitalization following the EDSA Revolution.
OUR 1986 PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION
It is doubly significant that this book-launching takes place during our commemoration of our People Power Revolution of February 1986 at EDSA, which inspired oppressed peoples in many parts of the world to reclaim their own civil liberties. I view that epochal event not as an isolated happening from our country’s past but as an organic link in the continuous tapestry of our historical experience in our struggle for freedom and democracy.

As the nationalist revolution of 1896 set us free from foreign rule, so did the “People Power” Revolution of 1986 liberate us from an indigenous tyranny. Although separated by 90 years, both revolutions are bound by a common thread — our people’s love of freedom.

That freedom we are now using to attain peace and progress for ourselves and future generations of Filipinos. Not through compulsion but through democratic means, we are reforming every aspect of national life. We must maintain this momentum through our centenary of independence in 1998, into the year 2000 and beyond into the 21st century.

Jovy Salonga is an integral part of that continuous tapestry I have just mentioned.
ASSESSING THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT
I am informed that the Salonga memoirs is one of the six books published by the University of the Philippines (UP) Press assessing the Aquino administration and the first post-EDSA government, as an exercise in self-assessment by its leaders and external evaluation by scholars and journalists.

All the three branches of government and the constitutional bodies participated in that assessment.

I recall the first volume in the UP Public Lectures was entitled “The Aquino Administration: Record and Legacy”, a collection of the public lectures delivered by President Corazon c. Aquino and her cabinet members here in the university of the Philippines during the last months of her administration in 1992.

That book is memorable to me for two reasons:

One, it includes a report of the work of the Department of National Defense (DND) which I had the honor to head from 1988 to 1991 as a member of the Aquino Cabinet;

And two, when, on June 30, 1992, I fetched president Aquino in Malacañang to take her to the Quirino Grandstand for my inauguration as president, she gave me my copy of the book as a record of what we and our many associates had done together and as a legacy for the future.

In 1992, the University of the Philippines and the Aquino administration made an important innovation in public accountability through the UP Public Lectures which were delivered by the president of the Philippines and her cabinet members, the vice-president, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the heads of the constitutional bodies.

The Ramos administration will help perpetuate this remarkable tradition of leadership accountability to the people. Indeed, leaders must render a terminal report to the nation on what they have done and achieved as responsible and accountable leaders of the republic.

By involving our best scholars and journalists in such assessment, we shall be better able to make such course corrections as are desirable and to continue the policies and programs that have proved their soundness and effectiveness.

It is my philosophy of governance and style of presidential leadership to seek the people’s participation, understanding and cooperation in the definition of our problems to build confidence, consensus and teamwork, in the process, and to forge the public policies and action programs to address and chart a correct course for the future. This is part of the process of democratic development which leads to our goal of genuine people empowerment.
CLOSING
Let me end by again congratulating former Senate President Salonga for writing part of his memoirs. I understand that the best is yet to come.

I congratulate the University of the Philippines Press for publishing it.

I encourage the UP Leadership, citizenship and democracy program to pursue with greater vigor its fellowships to enable distinguished leaders like Jovy write about their valued experience and concepts of public service, and to promote its research and extension programs for the teaching of effective and responsible leadership and citizenship in our evolving democracy.

I look forward to reading my autographed copy of “The Senate that said No”. I have no doubt that it will be a best-seller not just because of its distinguished author, not just because of its precious content, not just because the UP published it, but also especially because it helps to provide guidance for our future.

Mabuhay Philippines 2000!!!