On 4 July, a number of followers and admirers of former Vice President Teofisto “Tito” Guingona Jr. greeted him a happy birthday with formal respect and deep gratitude. When asked his birthday wish, he whispered: for his son, “TG,” to be a senator again in 2028.

TG Guingona would likely be an asset to the Senate due to his established track record as an anti-corruption crusader and his deep focus on public health and consumer protection. His past experience as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair provided institutional expertise in legislative oversight.

Teofisto “Tito” Tayco Guingona Jr. is widely known as a Filipino statesman and diplomat who served as the 11th Vice President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2004. He held key government positions throughout his career. Aside from his term as the 11th Vice President, his government roles included:

1. Senator of the Philippines (1987-1993; 1998-2001, taking on roles as Majority Leader, Minority Leader and Senate President Pro Tempore)

2. Secretary of Foreign Affairs (2001-2002)

3. Executive Secretary (1993-1995)

4. Secretary of Justice (1995-1998)

5. Chairman of the Commission on Audit (1986-1987)

6. Ambassador to China (2004-2005)

7. Delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1971)

His father, Teofisto Guingona Sr., was an assemblyman, senator, judge and commissioner from Guimaras, Iloilo. His mother, Josefa Tayco, was from Siaton, Negros Oriental. He grew up in Agusan, Lanao and Misamis Oriental.

Guingona was married to Ruth de Lara, a former mayor and vice mayor of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental. She passed away on 15 June 2025.

When martial law was declared in 1972 by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., he resisted the abuses of the regime, serving as a human rights lawyer. He founded Sandata and became honorary chairman of Bandila, two mass-based organizations dedicated to social and economic reforms. Because of his opposition to martial rule he was jailed twice, first in 1972 and then in 1978.

Guingona was one of the “Magnificent 12,” the twelve Philippine senators who voted on 16 September 1991 to reject the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security. Their decisive vote terminated the RP-US Military Bases Agreement, forcing the departure of American forces from Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base.

The senators were Jovito Salonga (Senate President), Teofisto Guingona Jr., Agapito Aquino, Juan Ponce Enrile, Joseph Estrada, Sotero Laurel, Ernesto Maceda, Orlando Mercado, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada.

I have fond memories of the warmth and guidance of Tito Guingona, most especially when I was down and when I was up.

This was during the wake of my late wife Maria Luz at a memorial chapel on Araneta Avenue.

Email: arturobesana2@gmail.com.