Tito’s wish: TG in Senate

“Tito” Guingona Jr. wants his son, “TG,” to run for senator.

Believe it or not, former vice president Teofisto “Tito” Guingona Jr., at 97 years old, still has his sharp and clear cognitive functions — for what he sees, feels, and hears.

When I approached him, he said, “Aaart.” I was surprised. I greeted him, “Good afternoon, sir, happy to see you again, sir.” Then I asked him: “Sir, is it okay if TG runs for senator?”

Tito responded happily, smiling and looking from side to side until he saw TG also smiling in reaction to his father.

Then we all sang “happy birthday,” clapping our hands all together.

All in the room then turned their eyes on TG. “Ayan, TG, he wants you to run for senator.”

And since then, that has become the topic of the day among the admirers of Tito.

TG would be a worthy successor to his father and his grandfather who were both politicians and great leaders.

TG Guingona was the lowest-spending senator as officially reported by the Commission on Audit in 2015.

He served as representative of the 2nd District of Bukidnon in the 13th and 14th Congress from 2004 to 2010, and was elected a senator in 2010 serving until 2016.

He authored a total of 124 bills and passed 18 laws in six years, and especially advocated for the improvement of the country’s health system, transparency and accountability in government, and the protection of human rights through legislation.

He served as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation, or the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Meanwhile, his father, Teofisto “Tito” Tayco Guingona Jr. is a Filipino politician and diplomat who served as the 11th Vice President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2004. He served as chairman of the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987, and was elected a senator in 1987, serving as majority leader and reelected in 1992.

But his term ended prematurely when he was appointed Executive Secretary by President Fidel V. Ramos from 1993 until 1995 and as Justice Secretary from 1995 until 1998. He was elected to the Senate again from 1998 until 2001 where he was the minority leader.

In 2001, Guingona was appointed Vice President of the Philippines and Secretary of Foreign Affairs by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after she, as the vice president, automatically assumed the presidency after President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was ousted in EDSA II, making Guingona the only Vice President who was not elected to the position. When his term ended in 2004, he decided not to seek a full-term election and was succeeded by Noli de Castro.

Guingona then served as Ambassador to China from 2004 to 2005.

Tito Guingona is married to Ruth de Lara-Guingona who served as governor of Misamis Oriental and mayor of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.

His father, Teofisto Guingona Sr., was an assemblyman, senator, judge and commissioner from Guimaras, Iloilo.