ILOILO City – Former Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday used the Iloilo City launch of his memoir Being Frank to caution young Filipinos against shortcuts in governance, saying impatience with democratic processes and disregard for the rule of law have repeatedly led to chaos and violence in the country’s political history.
Drilon said he wrote the memoir at age 80, after more than 30 years in government service, particularly in Congress, to document his decisions and allow future generations to judge his record fairly.
He stressed that the book was deliberately crafted as a message to the youth at a time when public discourse is increasingly shaped by “cancel-cancel” culture and demands for instant results.
“Most importantly, I want to show to our youth the value of believing in democracy and the value of being patient—of not cutting corners,” he said.
He recalled periods in his public life when impatience and lawlessness escalated into unrest, including attacks on his home and office, underscoring his view that bypassing institutions and legal processes ultimately weakens democracy rather than strengthens it.
First launched in Manila on Monday, Being Frank is divided into six chapters that trace Drilon’s political career and personal reflections: Unwavering; From Conflict to Consensus: The Importance of Being Frank; Justice Agad: Low Key, High Value; The Big Man: A Tale of Two Impeachments; Putting Iloilo on the Map: Iloilo, Palangga Ko; and Being Frank: Public Servant, Citizen Frank.
He said the chapters reflect the principles that guided his leadership, particularly transparency, dialogue, and respect for institutions.
A significant part of the memoir is devoted to Iloilo, which Drilon described as a cornerstone of his public service legacy.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects he helped advance through congressional insertions, including the Iloilo Convention Center, the Esplanade, and the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, which he said addressed long-standing traffic and connectivity issues in Arevalo and Molo.
“That chapter is called ‘Putting Iloilo on the Map,’” Drilon said, noting its subtitle — ‘Senate President in the Morning, District Engineer by Afternoon’ — a lighthearted reference to his hands-on approach in pushing local projects while serving in the Senate.
Drilon said Being Frank ultimately seeks to remind younger generations that public service is rooted in discipline, patience, and fidelity to the law.
“I don’t have many years left,” he said, “but I want to leave behind a legacy that shows there is value in following the rules, doing the work honestly, and believing that democracy — when respected — still works.”/PN
