“ONE OF THE THINGS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME WAS YOU SHOULD NOT EXCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO YOUR IDEAS.”

Former President Benigno Aquino III nobly lived and died by this personal quote.

During his Palace reign, his passion to improve the lives of Pinoys — regardless of affiliations, religions and beliefs — was legendary.

He was a firebrand’s nightmare. A rebel on the good side.

PNoy valued his privacy as much as he did friends, which he kept near unconditionally.

Political fences didn’t exist for this Liberal Party (LP) 2010 standard bearer.

PNoy didn’t lock up non-LP fans among his buddies in a ghetto of hatred, ridicule and criticisms. He respected them.

That plain and simple.

A writer who wrote for the ‘other side’ remained PNoy’s constant companion at the billiards table and firing range. Both also enjoyed good food.

Outside the office they were equals.

PNoy didn’t a tad mind that the writer covered other political parties when he was Chief Executive.

The ex-President was a realist and no hypocrite. He bowed to the fact that the writer was merely doing his job, his bread and butter.

The writer wrote about critics’ frustrations and criticisms of the administration, but life went on blissfully between him and PNoy.

They continued exchanging texts, laughing like the billiard, firing and smoking buddies that they really were and kept asking each other sincerest ‘How are yours.’

Their friendship laudably became deeper.

The writer was even part of the media delegation which covered PNoy’s visits abroad.

Like a doting brother, PNoy went out of his frenzied schedule to attend the wake of the writer’s cherished loved one.

On a more nobler breadth, PNoy’s supposed political foes showed no animosity toward him. They observed his views from a distance, then made the necessary criticisms sans personal low blows.

Like well-mannered and educated royalty, those from the ‘other side’ obliged PNoy.

Even the late Comedy King Dolphy was overwhelmed with PNoy’s trademark selflessness.

Dolphy had campaigned for PNoy’s rival, Nacionalista Party’s Manny Villar.

Yet the President conferred the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart on the country’s greatest comedian.

PNoy recognized 83-year-old Dolphy’s charitable works and contributions to the country’s entertainment industry

“Nag-sorry nga ako sa kanya sa nangyari noong nakaraang eleksyon. Sabi niya sa akin ‘Wala yon,” Dolphy was quoted as having said about PNoy.

Trolls from all sides could probably do a PNoy and start respecting each and everyone’s biases — political or otherwise.

Discriminations only wreck relationships and keep the people as well as the country in mud pits.

PNoy knew that.

Perhaps the rabid attack dogs and the rest of the ‘bosses’ PNoy had left behind should start following his legacy specially during these most uncertain times.

Practice good math. Stop dividing Filipinos and start multiplying productive, positive attitudes.

A united Philippines has more chances of defeating the evils of COVID than a fragmented one.

As PNoy had said, “I believe nobody should be discriminated against.”

End the hate. Spread love.

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