President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, Hon. Manuel “Lolong” Lazaro, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Constitution Association and a former Government Corporate Counsel (with the rank, emoluments, and privileges of a Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals), a Bar Examiner on Labor and Social Legislation, and a Legal Consultant of the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Bank, a former Manila Rotarian, and who is a currently a Member of the Supreme Court’s Sub-Committee on the Revision of Rules on Civil Procedure, was our Guest of Honor and Speaker. He spoke to us on the strengths and weaknesses of our current Constitution and pointed out the numerous provisions in our Constitution which require an enabling law (which, to date, have not yet been passed). He explained why, in his opinion, our Constitution was framed the way it was, having been drafted by a Constitutional Commission whose members were all chosen by the President. His vast experience as a lawyer, who is involved in many fields of law, including constitutional law, made him a very interesting speaker. A very animated question and answer session was held immediately after his speech, which enabled many of our Club members to discuss particular points/issues with our former member, Lolong.

On news within our Club and the District, last 8 and 9 April 2016, IPP Frank Evaristo, Director Oscar Del Rosario, and Ching Salazar of our Secretariat accompanied me to Brgy. Hamod in the Municipality of Batad, Iloilo, to attend the formal turn-over to certain selected residents of Brgy. Hamod of 30 houses constructed in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga. The 30 housing units cost Php12 Million to build, the funds for which we sourced from the Gov. Kai Foundation of the Rotary Club of Japan. It is located in a section of Brgy. Hamod in the Municipality of Batad, Iloilo, called the “RC Manila – Gawad Kalinga Village”.

Last 9 April 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the 14th Charter Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Quirino Manila Central at the Luk Foo Cantonese Kitchen in Quezon City. Two days later, on 11 April 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, Assistant Secretary Alvin Lacambacal, and I attended the DISCON 2016 Appreciation Dinner/Fellowship hosted by the District at the Le Parc Event Hall, EDSA, Pasay City, for all those who assisted and contributed in one way or another to the success of DISCON 2016. All the committee heads were awarded certificates of appreciation.

Today, we will have as our Guest of Honor and Speaker, Hon. Emmanuel L. Caparas, Secretary of the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), a former member of our Club, who will describe his plans for the DOJ and the particular issues and problems it faces. Secretary Caparas took over the helm of the DOJ from Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, who was recently appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Please continue to actively participate in and support all of our Club’s plans, programs, and activities during the remainder of this Rotary Year. Most importantly, please recommend at least one good recruit to beef up our Club’s membership.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!