Senators remember Flavier as friend, confidant, father

Despite his achievements as a lawmaker, the late Senator Juan Flavier made his mark on his colleagues not just as an outstanding legislator but as a friend, confidant, adviser, and father.

 

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said her best friend endeared himself to other senators as the one they could rely on whenever they need a quorum for their committee hearings. A quorum for a hearing needs just the committee chairman and another senator.   

 

“No matter what the committee or subject was, the genial Senator Flavier made himself available every single day of the week for a quorum, as if it was his duty,” Santiago said in her eulogy during the necrological service for Flavier at the Senate Monday.

 

She remembered Flavier for supporting her privilege speech denouncing pork barrel kickbacks.

 

She said she had just been proclaimed a senator when a contractors asked for appointments and offered her a 10-percent kickback if she would let them build the public works project funded by her pork barrel.

 

“I was so insulted and outraged that I rushed to the Senate to denounce the system, expecting that my colleagues would leap to their feet and confirm my narrative. But, foolish me, after my speech there was no interpellation and no comment from anybody. Nobody spoke. Except for one man – Senator Juan Flavier,” she said.

 

“With an offended expression, he rose to affirm my accusation of corruption in the Senate. If Senator Flavier did not have the courage and the purity of heart to support my story of corruption, I would have made no impact.  Because of Senator Flavier’s comment, the media picked up the story,” she added.

 

Santiago said that she would go the Flavier’s desk if she was tired, bored or downhearted.

 

“I would saunter to Johnny’s desk and engage him in a chat, confident that I was sharing a companionable time with an honest man; a good man; a great man,” she said.

 

'He was a father to me'

 

Senator Pia Cayetano said that Flavier provided her “fatherly guidance and affection” when she was a newbie at the Senate/ 

 

“I would pour out my daily woes. He patiently nodded and listened. I guess Senator Miriam (Santiago), Senator Loren (Legarda) and I have the same experience in that sense. He was a father to me,” she said.

 

“But as a legislator, we complemented each other. We shared a common passion for healthcare. He was the teacher and I was the student. I had dreams and aspirations; he had wisdom and experience. I had a passion for healthcare. He had the medical degree and expertise,” Cayetano added.

 

She said that Flavier supported her when it was her turn to head the Senate health committee during the 13th Congress. Flavier had been committee chairman until she took over.

 

She also said that the late senator was her defender whenever she was the subject of the jokes and friendly ribbing of their male colleagues.

 

“Senator Flavier was my defender. This man, small in stature, was my protector, just as he was the protector of millions of Filipinos. On the Senate floor, he tempered my dreams and aspirations with

his wisdom and experience. I was impatient; he knew there was a time for everything,” she said.

 

Cayetano also hailed Flavier for helping her push for the Reproductive Health Law, Graphic Health Warnings Law, and the amended Sin Tax Bill.

 

“He provided the foundation, and should forever be a part of the legislative history of these laws,” she said.

 

Cayetano became emotional when she remembered how Flavier loved his grandchildren.

 

“I knew a little bit more of this man —that which completed him was his family. His beloved grandchildren who were but little kids then, may have surely ‘outgrown’ Mr. Bean. But from his stories and the joy in his eyes, I know that truly this was his most cherished position – a mere member of his grandchildren’s secret society – ‘Mr. Bean Watchers Club’,” the senator said with her voice cracking.
 

Senator Loren Legarda, for her part, remembered Flavier as her doctor-confidant and adviser.

 

She said Flavier guided her when she was new at the Senate and taught her about parliamentary procedure.

 

“He patiently coached me on what went on in plenary during the first few months of my first term in 1998. I sought his advice on what to do about my first privilege speech. He told me that I should talk about something distinct, something that the rest of the senators know nothing or very little about,” she said.

 

“Manong Johnny was a helpful, kind, selfless and dependable person. He was also fiercely protective of me. When criticisms were hurled against me, he would advise me, 'Ibalato mo nalang sa kanila yun',” she recalled.

 

'Giant in the Senate'

 

Senator Sergio Osmena said Flavier’s knack for effectively delivering his message to the public came from his 40 years of experience as a doctor to the barrios.

 

He said Flavier learned to keep the attention of the audience through jokes.

 

Osmena said he tried to copy Flavier’s style but he did not succeed.

 

“One night, before a very small rally of about 200 people, I asked Johnny if I could deliver his speech, which I had already memorized. He graciously agreed, and I shamefully failed to elicit the same type of laughter,” he said.

 

He added Flavier’s simplicity also endeared him to the people.

 

“His ways were simple. He had no airs. He was always for the common man. And he exuded and laid down the proper values and the principles by which all men must live. Johnny Flavier transformed many lives. He certainly was a big inspiration to me and to so many millions of Filipinos... You will always be lovingly remembered as a funny, genial, gentle giant - the giant in the Senate, the giant of the barrios, the giant among Filipinos,” he said.

'Nerves of steel, iron will'

 

Senate President Franklin Drilon remembered Flavier for his strong compassion for those who have less in life, his sense of duty, and his commitment to make a difference.

 

He said Flavier, though small in stature had nerves of steel and an iron will.

 

“During the 1995 campaign, he was singled out by anti-reproductive health advocates who cast aspersions on him. However, his detractors underestimated Juan Flavier. He was unfazed by all the mudslinging, and went on to place fifth among 12 winning candidates. Six years later, he ran again for

re-election, placing second. His amazing achievements in the polls underscored the people’s overwhelming trust and confidence in his capability and moral authority,” he said.

 

Drilon recalled that during the 1995 campaign, other candidates did not want to speak after Flavier’s speech.

 

“His self-effacing humor made everyone afraid to speak after he had spoken. Malas ka lang sa kampanya kapag ikaw ang susunod na magsalita kay Johnny Flavier, dahil hindi na makikinig ang tao, ang iba, umaalis na. Johnny’s innate charm, and wit, never failed to conquer every stage he stepped on,” he said. — JDS, GMA News