Outgoing Executive Secretary Alberto G. Romulo thanked President Gloria Arroyo for allowing him to be a part of her administrations "most shining moments" in a farewell speech, which he delivered today at a luncheon held at the lobby of the Premier Guest House.

"During our watch, I can say without any hesitation or reservation that we always took the more difficult path of honor and integrity in public service," said Romulo, who was described by President Macapagal-Arroyo as "Mr. Integrity."

In addressing his staff, the outgoing secretary said in his farewell: "It is said that parting is such sweet sorrow. To me, it is personally wrenching. I leave behind men and women – of whom I have grown to be fond of and who have become very special to me."

He said his undersecretaries and staff gave him "such measures of loyalty, kindness and understanding that in all my remaining years I can never hope to repay. No words are adequate to express to you the immense gratitude welling in my heart."

Romulo also gave special mention to Deputy Executive Secretary for Administration and Finance Ching Vargas who had to give her clearance before any appointments could be signed.

"As the incoming Executive Secretary in 2001, I thought I was finally numero uno and not unnaturally harbored some illusions of grandeur. These illusions, however, came crashing down a few hours after I assumed office. My authority to sign turned out to be largely symbolic. If Ching Vargas did not give the go-signal, I sign at my peril," Romulo quipped.

He, however, cited Secretary Vargas for being parsimonious with public funds. "How I wish more public officials were as scrupulous as Ching with the people’s money," Romulo said, adding that in the Office of the President and the Executive Secretary, there are men and women still outraged by those who abuse power and influence.

In his speech, Secretary Romulo reiterated the government’s position on national reconciliation, which, he said, must be based on justice. He cited three pre-conditions on national reconciliation:

1. Sufficient acknowledgment of the wrong done;

2. Sufficient restitution and reparation by the wrongdoers; and,

3. Those who cause the harm or wrong doing must not be allowed to a position of influence in government nor to retain their plunder.

He cited presidential action on the coco levy cases, PIATCO case, the Oakwood mutiny, on the issue of national reconciliation and the hostage crisis in Iraq as among the administration’s "shining moments".

Secretary Romulo said that on the coco levy cases, the President stood firmly for the millions of coconut farmers and their poor families. Her position was upheld by the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan. Recently, the court ruled the coco levy as public funds belonging to government in trust for the coconut farmers.

He also stressed that in the PIATCO case, the President took the correct stand that the PIATCO agreement had provisions contrary to the national interest and, therefore, should be null and void. The Senate committee agreed with the President and the Supreme Court upheld her position.

Romulo noted that the President acted swiftly and decisively in the Oakwood mutiny. He recalled that on the same day, the mutiny was quelled and now the mutinous officers are awaiting the resolution of their case in court.

In the Iraq hostage crisis, the incoming foreign affairs secretary said it was a right and morally correct decision to save the life of Angelo dela Cruz.

"The Constitution is clear that in our relations with other states, our national interest is of paramount consideration. With 8 million overseas Filipinos with families here; with 1 ½ million in the Middle East and more than four thousand Filipino workers in Iraq, saving Angelo dela Cruz was clearly of paramount national interest."

Secretary Romulo said he is grateful that the President has chosen outgoing Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita as his successor. He described Ermita as "an excellent administrator and topnotch communicator."

Secretary Romulo will assume the position of Foreign Affairs Secretary tomorrow in a turnover ceremony to be held at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

A former senator, the outgoing executive secretary served the President for three years and two months. He also served briefly as executive secretary to then President Corazon C. Aquino.

As Executive Secretary, Romulo also chaired the NEDA Board Executive Committee, Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security and 14 other offices and agencies.