Testimonials

“Usec. Zosimo “Jess” Paredes’ resignation is worthy of emulation by other officials not just because it shows good form but because it shows good judgment; not just because it shows good manners but because it shows basic decency. It is not an act of protocol, it is an act of protest. It indicts wrongdoing to high heavens, notably this occupation governments’ predilection not just for abusing power but for taking power that does not belong to it.

… It is a brave thing Paredes has done. I can imagine how hard it must
have been for him to have made that decision given that times are hard
and jobs do not come as plentiful as rain in July. Particularly for the
people with principle.

Other officials would do well to emulate Paredes’ honorableness.”
- Conrado de Quiros, Phil. Daily Inquirer, 10 January 2007

Nang inutos ng DILG at DOJ ang paglipat kay Smith kahit walang utos ng Court of Appeals, umalma si Paredes at kumontra dahil hindi raw ito naaayon sa VFA. Dahil ditto, nagalit si Pangulong Arroyo sa kanya kaya dahil ayaw ni Paredes na makompromiso ang kanyang prinsipyo, hindi na niya kayang tumagal sa trabaho kaya siya ay nagbitiw na.

Tama lang ang desisyon ni Paredes at ang mga ganitong opisyal ang kailangan ng bayan, mga taong may prinsipyo.
- Erwin Tulfo, People’s Journal Tonight, 8 January 2007

Some may find my fulsome praise of a relative to be more filial than absurd. I disagree. There are so few in government who will resign just because his stated view runs afoul of the government’s thinking.

Certainly, when government under cover of darkness spirited Smith away from a Philippine jail and into American territory, for lawyers like Zosimo “Jess” Paredes, there has to be some feeling of impropriety. If we are a nation that operates under the rule of law, how can our government use such lawless methods to get things done?
- Ducky Paredes, Malaya, 9 January 2007

House minority Francis Escudero lauded Paredes for giving up what he called a “rewarding government position” top stick to his principles opposed to Malacañang on the controversial issue. He said it is a rarity now among Cabinet members to toe the official line and go against the tide. He stressed that this should be the case all the time – cabinet members shouldn’t just be nodding their heads to what the President say and do.
Nation, Manila Standard Today, 9 January 2007

“Paredes, thank you for making a stand.”
- Akbayan, Manila Standard Today, 10 January 2007

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Zosimo “Jess” Paredes greatly impressed me with his decision to resign as executive director of the Presidential Commission on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, to express his disagreement with Malacañang over its disregard of a trail court order and the transfer of Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to the US Embassy.

Paredes is a rarity in the public service. I hope he will inspire our public officials and his fortitude as a man of conscience will be emulated by them.
- Karla Elaine Katigbak, A Public Servant with a Conscience, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 February 2007

As Undersecretary Zosimo “Jess” Paredes, the often-criticized official responsible for overseeing the Visiting Forces Agreement, correctly said yesterday: the palace took the law into its own hands. It had previously recognized that the custody issue was within the jurisdiction of the courts by filing the necessary pleadings. By effecting the transfer, stealthily olated the law it was sworn to serve.

In other words, the age-old question was raised in the custody issue: Who will guard the guardians? We are sorry to see that the Court of Appeals failed to give the right republican answer: the other guardians.
- Editorial, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 6 January 2007

Sa Senado kailangan natin ang may prinsipyo at tunay na paninindigan para sa bayan. Kaya naman Yes na Yes kami kay Jess Paredes.
– Camarines Sur, 14 February 2007

Many are called but few are chosen; Among shall live the memory of the chosen few who gave up their lives for dreams stronger than death.
- Ariel Almendral, Citizen of the Philippines

I respect your view. People like you are rare these days kapatid.
- Justice Jane Lantion, 08 February 2007

I just wish to congratulate you for possessing the moral courage that so many men in gov’t lack.
- Ruby Alcantara, 08 February 2007

It’s great to know that there are still people in gov’t that can stand on their principles like you. Kudos to you kuya Jess!
- Grace Villarmina, 08 February 2007

Brod, congrats on your resignation. You have proven that you are a man with very high respect for the law at may prinsipyo. K talaga. Variant ka talaga. We are proud of you.
- Ding Villena, 08 February 2007

We’re 100% behind you manong Jess on your decision. You always stand by what is right Our good Lord opens a lot of doors for you now. God be with you always.
- Lani Paredes Leonardo, 01 March 2007

Just wanted you to know that I salute your principled stand.
- RC Constantino, 01 March 2007

I join them in praising you, sir.
- Volts Contreras, 01 March 2007

Congrats!, for the decisions you made vs. pressure and odds. The country needs men like you. God bless.
- Fr. Benjie, 01 March 2007

Bravo! Stand tall and upright, bro!
- Amb. Joey Ampeso, 01 March 2007

Sir bro,my salute to you for your fearless Stand vs. the GMA admin re their buggling of the Subic rape case.
- Boy Rio, 06 March 2007

Pangako sa bayan matuwid at tapat na pamahalaan. Una ang Diyos sunod isang sambayanan.
Paredes, Sison, Bautista ating pagkatiwalaan sa Mayo 14 na Halalan.
- Eric Gaspar, March 2007