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Remembering Raul Roco

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I just read from PCIJ and AlterNation101's blog that former Senator Raul Roco just passed away this morning.

I first met Senator Raul Roco when we were lobbying for the passage of the E-Commerce Law in the year 2000. At that time, Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. has successfully went through the deliberation process with Senators Santiago, Biazon, Revilla, Guingona, Enrile, Tatad, and Jaworski. But when it came to Senator Roco, we got into trouble. He remarked, "Your proposed bill is patterned after Singapore but most of our laws, court rulings, and references are patterned after the USA."

As a result, we had to go back to the technical working group and re-wrote the bill patterned after the original UNCITRAL model. In my observation during floor deliberations, our legislators usually exchanged pleasant introductions to each other. So, prior to Senator Magsaysay's return to the floor, I asked him to recognize Senator Roco as the only I.T.-sensitive presidentiable in the 1998 elections and first legislator to have his own top-level domain name, RaulRoco.com.

And so during the floor deliberation, Senator Magsaysay did recognize him. Senator Roco laughed, smiled, and said, "I think I better sit down. You know in this floor. Flattery can get you anywhere." It is a remark that I will never forget. He did sit down and not contend much about the revised version anymore.

During the law's bicameral conference, he also set the direction. That's where I've learned from his explanation that any section in the House version that is not in the Senate version shall be put in and vice-versa. Only those with conflicting versions shall be discussed. If similar, choose the much appropriate one.

I also recalled another lesson from him. This was during a floor deliberation about a proposal to amend the Copyright Law. He said that with so many pending priority bills, Congress shall not amend an existing law without proving first its ineffectiveness through actual cases in court, where such law is futile. That is why when people approach me about the need to amend the E-Commerce Law, I always tell them that such is very far-fetched from happening at this time. You need significant case studies to prove the law itself is flawed, and not its implementation. More often than not, the problems cited now by most parties are implementation issues rather than flaws in the law itself. 

He is indeed a great person and greatful of these that I've learned by just listening to him at the Senate floor. So long Honorable Raul Roco.



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Mike (Homepage) on August 5, 2005 at 4:55 PM
I remember him best for pissing Miriam off. Someone who values professional service over professional greed has my vote.
Rest in peace, Hon. Roco.

   

janette (Homepage) on August 6, 2005 at 3:16 AM
I agree with you Mike. He's a president that we never had.

   

Dino on August 6, 2005 at 11:10 AM
I just hope that even after his death his works would be remebered and his examples be followed. For me, He is a hero. He could have been a president if he followed what other do but he preferred to do everything the right way.

   

mardev on August 7, 2005 at 12:36 AM
I shed a tear when my mom texted me that he died. so sad. I hope we find another Roco amongst us. sayang talaga.

   

vernonzeth on August 11, 2005 at 10:14 AM
I am a living testimony of Hon. Roco's greatness and intelligence. His Study Now Pay Later Plan (SNPLP) helped me a lot to finish my studies and fullfill my dreams.
One thing i always remember about him is his strong belief that "someday, this country (Philippines) will rise again and the Filipinos will be known to the world as great people..."
SO LONG HON. ROCO! YOUR A GREAT FILIPINO! FOR US YOUR A HERO!

   

ely on August 11, 2005 at 7:41 PM
a true honorable man. a great loss not only to the Bicolanos but to the whole counry. SALAMAT SENATOR ROCO.

   

Janette Toral (Homepage) on August 14, 2005 at 8:44 PM
Hello Dino, Mardev, Vernonzeth, and Ely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Sen. Raul Roco. It is great to see people who were touched by him coming out with kind words. It is the least we can all do. May he rest in peace and give us all strength to work for a better country.

   

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