Salonga, the greatest president we never had — Palace exec

 

Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III affirmed the belief that the late Jovito Salonga could be the greatest president the country never had.

Quezon gave a ready "yes" to the question "Do you think Salonga could have been a good president if he won the 1992 elections?"

"Kahit hindi siya nanalo, marami talagang na-inspire na makilahok at bumoto, mangampanya dahil sa kanyang integridad at sa kanyang paninindigan noong panahon ng—hindi pa man lang ng Martial Law, let’s remember ‘yung kamuntik na siyang mamatay sa Plaza Miranda bombing," Quezon mused in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.

Salonga was the Liberal Party candidate in the 1992 elections, running against Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., Ramon Mitra Jr., Imelda Marcos, Salvador Laurel, and the eventual winner Fidel V. Ramos.

Salonga got 2.3 million votes which was just enough to place him 6th in the 7-way race.

Quezon said he is part of the generation who cast their vote for the first time in the 1992 elections and he gave his vote to Salonga.

"Siguro alam mo, may elemento din ng kapalaran kung mananalo ka o matatalo sa pagtatakbo sa isang posisyon, Quezon, grandson of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, said."

Quezon remarked that Salonga's death prompted the public to realize that not all politicians are marred with controversies and allegations of corruption. He pointed out that Salonga's reputation remained clean until his death.

Salonga passed away on March 10.

His passing was met with an outpouring of praise for the former senator.

Officials mourn passing of Jovy Salonga, ‘the best President we never got’ https://t.co/Ao1y70qn3i pic.twitter.com/Osaxnl1rJ3

— GMA News (@gmanews) March 10, 2016

At the wake of former Sen Jovito Salonga at the Loyola Guadalupe. Wake is open to the public until Monday. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/JQ6HQxGCYH

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) March 11, 2016

RIP, Senator Jovito Salonga. They sure don't make them like you anymore.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) March 10, 2016

Mourning death of Ka Jovy Salonga, ???? best Pres we never had, man who fought magnificent battles of our time, kind to young people, immortal

— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) March 10, 2016

Isang saludo kay Sen. Jovito Salonga. The greatest president we never had.

— Lourd de Veyra (@lourddv) March 10, 2016

— APG, GMA News