Cathy and I had an interesting discussion yesterday at home about former Senator Teresita “Tessie” Aquino-Oreta. Most Filipinos know her as the “Dancing Lady,” one of the infamous senators who voted to keep closed the envelope that would have confirmed whether or not former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was Jose Pidal, the name of someone who siphoned millions of pesos into accounts here and abroad.

Filipinos are known to be a forgiving lot - we’ve forgiven a lot of people whose careers in politics, entertainment, or sports, should have been all but dead.

Consider to wit:

• Joseph Estrada. The former president is still viewed with sympathy by a good number of the masses.
• Imelda Marcos. The former First Lady not only made a return to the country with the remains of her late husband, she made a triumphant run to Congress.
• Joey Marquez. The former Paranaque mayor is enjoying a revived showbiz career.
• Willie Revillame. The showbiz host has had more second chances than anyone else.
• Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. No real sign the people have forgiven her, given the widespread impression that she cheated her way to another turn at the presidency, but if she did win, there’s another batch of forgiveness for you.

There are also those whose ’sins’ may not have been as grievous but may be paying back in other ways. In politics, for instance, Robert Jaworski and Sonny Osmena have lost repeat shots at the Senate (Osmena is still running), while former Senator Freddie Webb is probably paying the price for the perceived sins of his son, having lost a run at the Senate and even a Paranaque congressional seat.

I visited Aquino-Oreta’s website to see for myself if she really was just that - a dancing lady - and I was stunned by the volume of work she’s turned in for teachers across this country. As a former educator, I never realized how much better off I would’ve been had I remained a teacher and benefited from the laws passed by Senator Oreta.

Oreta was the first female Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the history of the Lower House, a tenured congresswoman, and obvious champion of issues on education, women, the environment, and children, four issues I feel very strongly about. I’ve voted for several political candidates simply because of their stands on these issues; why shouldn’t I vote for Oreta, who has authored more than 100 bills and resolutions on these issues, including:

• R.A. 8972 – Solo Parent Act
• R.A. 9053 – Philippine Landscape Architecture Act
• R.A. 8976 – Philippine Micronutrient Fortification Program
• R.A. 9003 – Solid Waste Management Act
• R.A. 8749 – Clean Air Act
• R.A. 8976 – Food Fortification Act
• R.A. 8792 – E-Commerce Act
• R.A. 9105 – Art Authentication Act
• R.A. 9036 – Philippine Science High School System Act
• R.A. 9155 – Governance of Basic Education Act

She apparently has passed special projects on education and welfare that have benefited teachers.

So why shouldn’t I bring myself to vote for Tessie Oreta for senator? That dance was an obvious miscalculation, an error in judgment, like Gloria’s call to Garci. From what I’ve heard lately, Tessie Oreta’s turned around 180 degrees, and is obviously contrite about that episode back then.

Forgiveness isn’t just saying it’s okay, it’s complete and total. If I were to focus on Oreta’s past, it wouldn’t be right to remember that dance and crucify her for that error in judgment while ignoring her years of public service. Doesn’t she deserve my forgiveness and vote, if ever, for what she’s done for teachers, even ex-teachers like me?

Children are the hope of tomorrow, and teachers work hand-in-hand with parents to prepare these kids for tomorrow. I am voting for public servants who recognize teachers for their worth, and therefore will include in my ballot two women who care about teachers: Sonia Roco and Tessie Aquino-Oreta. I hope you will, too.

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