Dick Gordon, Pasay City (2026)

03/09/2026

Today, we commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Battle of Imus—the First Victory of the Philippine Revolution. But I wonder kung alam ba ng buong bansa kung gaano kahalaga ang nangyari dito 130 years ago.

Because in 1896, there was no Philippines. Wala pang bansang Pilipinas. Ang mga Pilipino ay lumalaban pa lamang para sa kalayaan—kulang sa armas at humaharap sa mas malakas na puwersa.

Then came Imus. Dito nakuha ng mga Pilipino ang mga armas ng Kastila. Dito unang napatunayan na we can win against superior odds.

Si Col. Jose Tagle—my great grandfather—was only a volunteer. Hindi siya naghintay na maging sigurado ang tagumpay. Lumapit siya kay Emilio Aguinaldo kasama ang kanyang mga tauhan dahil kulang ang armas ng mga Pilipino. Kailangan nilang humanap ng paraan para makalaban.

They seized the weapons of the friars and the Guardia Civil, nakuha ang quartel, 30 Re*****on rifles, at isang kanyon. Naghanda sila sa Puente Isabel, hinintay ang kalaban, at nagpaputok. At nanalo sila.

It was more than a battlefield victory. It gave the Revolution the confidence that Filipinos could defeat a stronger enemy. Mula Imus, kumalat ang paglaban sa iba pang bahagi ng Cavite at ng ating bansa.

That is why the Battle of Imus is not just Cavite. It is national.

Because a country that forgets its moments of courage can become a country that expects defeat. Tayong mga Pilipino, patalo palagi kung mag-isip: “Mahirap ’yan,” “Talo tayo diyan,” “Hindi natin kaya ’yan.” Sumusuko na tayo bago pa man lumaban. Hindi dapat ganoon.

Our battles today are different: corruption, poverty, education, flood control. But the lesson of Imus remains. Before we fight these battles, we must first defeat the belief that we cannot win.

If we only wait for our leaders, nothing will happen. It is the duty of every Filipino na makialam at manindigan para hindi tayo lapastanganin. Nation-building was never meant to be the responsibility of a few.

Kaya dapat nating ituro sa ating mga paaralan ang kahalagahan ng Battle of Imus—not simply so our children will remember what happened in 1896, but so they will understand who we are and what our forefathers were willing to do for the country we have today.

Sabi nga sa ating kasabihan: ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.

And that is why we look back at Imus today. One hundred and thirty years ago, our forefathers had the courage to fight for a country that did not yet exist. Today, we already have that country. The question is: what are we willing to do for it?

Hindi natin kailangang maging pinakamalakas para manalo o magkaroon ng kakampi. Kailangan natin ang tapang na magsimula, manindigan, at huwag sumuko. Because courage is not the absence of fear; courage is choosing to act despite it.

That is the lesson of Imus, and that is the responsibility it leaves to us. Patuloy nating palakasin ang ating kusang-loob, malasakit, at kapwa-tao; at tulad ng ating mga ninuno sa Imus, huwag tayong sumuko bago pa man lumaban.

I congratulate the people and the City Government of Imus, headed by Mayor Alexander Advincula, for a wonderful celebration.

May God bless the Republic of the Philippines and the Province of Cavite!

27/08/2026

I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives and devastation caused by the flash floods in northern Nepal.

On behalf of the Philippine Red Cross, I extend our prayers and sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones and to all those affected. We stand with the Nepal Red Cross Society and its volunteers as they continue to help communities during this difficult time.

Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those still searching for their missing relatives, and all communities affected by this tragedy. We also salute the humanitarian workers and volunteers responding on the ground during this difficult time.

The Philippine Red Cross stands in solidarity with the Nepal Red Cross Society and the people of Nepal. We stand ready to extend assistance in any way we can, should our support be needed.

🎥 video courtesy of IFRC

19/08/2026

On this World Humanitarian Day, let us honor not only those who serve, but everyone who chooses to care, to act, and to help another human being. To all our volunteers and humanitarian workers: I salute you. Kayo ang tunay na bayani ng ating panahon.

18/08/2026

STATEMENT OF FORMER SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON ON THE ZAMBOANGA SCHOOL SHOOTING AND SCHOOL VIOLENCE

I am deeply shocked and saddened by what happened today in Zamboanga. Two people are dead, including the Grade 8 student who was identified as the gunman, and others were injured in a shooting inside a school. What makes this even more disturbing is that a child reportedly had access to two fi****ms, including an M16 and a .45-caliber handgun.

How did a child get access to these weapons? This should never have happened. And this is not the first time we have seen violence involving children in our schools. It is getting worse. We have seen students attacked with knives and guns inside schools, and now we are seeing another shooting involving a young student.

We have to ask ourselves: Are our children beginning to imitate the violence they see around them?

This is happening not only in the Philippines. We see school shootings and other acts of violence happening in the United States and in other parts of the world. These incidents are constantly shown, replayed, shared, and discussed on social media. When violence becomes content, when the people who commit these acts become famous because of what they did, we cannot ignore the danger of imitation.

We need social media discipline. Parents have to know what their children are watching and what they are being exposed to. We should seriously look at how we can regulate children's access to social media and prevent violent content from constantly reaching young minds.

But social media is not the only problem. Our children are under enormous pressure. They face bullying, academic pressure, family problems, isolation, and problems that adults sometimes do not see. They need guidance. They need someone to talk to. They need parents and teachers who will listen before a problem becomes a tragedy.

And when there is a firearm at home, children must never be able to access it. Parents have a responsibility to make sure that fi****ms are properly secured and completely out of the reach of children. A high-powered firearm is not a toy. It can take a life in seconds.

We owe it to our children to give them a better future and a better community. We cannot simply tell our young people what not to do. We have to give them something better to do and something better to imitate.

We should encourage them to build friendships, serve their communities, volunteer, and become leaders. Organizations like the Red Cross Youth give young people an opportunity to learn discipline, leadership, compassion, and respect for human life.

17/08/2026

The Marikina River has reached 16 meters and is now at 2nd Alarm. With the continuous heavy rains brought by the Habagat, water levels may continue to rise. Huwag na nating hintayin na tumaas pa ito bago kumilos.

If you are living in low-lying areas, communities near the Marikina River, or other flood-prone areas, please evacuate now and move to the evacuation centers.

Dalhin ang inyong Go Bags—important documents, medicines, food, water, first aid kits, and other emergency supplies. We cannot predict how quickly the water will rise.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat.

17/08/2026

More than a week into our Habagat response, the Philippine Red Cross continues to press on, reaching even the farthest and hardest-to-reach communities across the country.

Recently, our trained WASAR teams and staff went to Brgy. Gugo in Calumpit, Bulacan, where floodwaters have remained for a year and residents rely on boats as their only way in and out of the community. We delivered 200 relief food packs to families affected by the flooding, bringing much-needed assistance directly to their homes.

As heavy rains continue to pour, the Philippine Red Cross remains on full alert—ready to rescue, respond, and deliver relief to families affected by the Habagat.

12/08/2026

This International Humanitarian Law Day, I am reminded why I fought for Republic Act No. 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity. I believed then, as I do now, that the Philippines must never be a passive observer when civilians, the wounded, and the vulnerable suffer because of conflict or violence. There must always be a law that protects human dignity and holds accountable those responsible for the gravest crimes.

We have seen in our own country how armed conflict can displace communities and destroy lives, and how the campaign against illegal drugs left thousands of families grieving. In every case, behind the numbers are human beings whose lives mattered and whose families continue to seek truth and justice. Bawat buhay ay mahalaga, at walang sinuman ang dapat mawalan ng karapatan sa hustisya.

That is why the principle behind RA 9851 remains important today particularly as IHL, crimes against humanity, and accountability have again become part of our national conversation in relation to several political issues today. Whatever the politics may be, the fundamental question remains the same: Can power ever place a person beyond accountability? My answer has always been no. No position, no authority, and no political influence should be a shield against the law.

I am proud that the Philippines chose to establish its own legal framework to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of IHL. I am equally proud to see Filipino lawyers, law students, humanitarian workers, and advocates continue to uphold these principles.

10/08/2026

The Philippine Red Cross continues its humanitarian response to communities affected by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), maintaining rescue, relief, health, welfare, and safety operations in several areas across the country.

Since the onset of the Habagat, PRC teams and volunteers have been deployed to affected communities, providing immediate assistance to families in evacuation centers and conducting rescue operations in areas where people remain in need of help.

As of 6:30 AM on August 10, PRC Emergency Response Units have rescued 81 individuals and assisted 113 people in Cavite, Marikina City, Manila, Lipa, and Rizal.

Welfare operations have also provided 1,926 hot meals, Child-Friendly Spaces for 387 individuals, bread for 485 individuals, and welfare assistance through established desks in affected areas.

Health and WASH teams have distributed 131 boxes of medicines, conducted health teaching for 426 individuals, provided hygiene promotion to 294 individuals, and distributed bottled water and hygiene kits to affected communities.

PRC safety teams have established 14 First Aid Stations, conducted vital signs monitoring for 78 individuals, treated 57 patients, and deployed ambulances in Batangas-Lipa and Baguio City.

Assessment teams have likewise been deployed to Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, Baguio City, Cavite, Zambales, and Marikina to monitor needs and guide continuing humanitarian operations.

With 252 volunteers mobilized and 61 volunteers reported, the PRC continues to maintain a presence on the ground as the Habagat situation develops.

To our PRC volunteers on the ground, please stay safe as you continue to serve. The lives you help save and the suffering you help ease are the greatest testament to your service.

08/08/2026

“I’M PROUD TO BE A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER.”

When Paolo Guela walked into my office and said those words to me, I looked him in the eye and said: “You should be proud of yourself, too.”

Because Paolo didn't just earn that pride in a classroom or by wearing a uniform. He earned it on a dark road—taking command of a chaotic crash scene, administering First Aid, and holding the line between life and tragedy while others just watched.

Paolo is a living example of what happens to a person who genuinely cares, and who steps up to be the Philippine Red Cross the moment help is needed.

Hindi siya nag-alinlangan. What makes his action even more remarkable is that he was on his way home dealing with a personal setback after failing the physical agility test upon applying to the Bureau of Fire Protection. Many would have been too distracted or too defeated to care. But Paolo proved that true volunteerism isn't about how you feel—it’s about who you are when someone else is in danger. Without a second thought, he stepped into the chaos, took control of the scene, applied his training, and saved a life.

I always tell our people: Passion without Compassion is nothing.

Passion makes you want the title. Compassion is what makes you pull over in the dark when it’s dangerous, uncomfortable, and inconvenient, simply because someone needs help.

That is the true soul of our Red Cross 143 program. We don't build volunteers just to respond to massive typhoons, earthquakes, or fires. We build them for nights like Paolo’s—so that in every barangay, on every dark road, there is at least one person trained, ready, and brave enough to step forward when everyone else steps back.

To Paolo, and to every RC143 volunteer out there: You are the proof that true public service isn't about badges or titles. It is about action.

Be proud, keep training, and never stop serving. Let everything you do reflect kusang loob, malasakit, and kapwa-tao!

07/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who remembered me on my birthday.

It has always been the greatest privilege of my life to be given another year to serve, another year to alleviate human suffering, and another year to continue doing what I have dedicated my life to.

To those who sent messages, called, visited, prayed, and took the time to celebrate with me—maraming salamat. Your kindness and friendship mean more to me than I can ever express.

God bless you all!

Dick Gordon

03/09/2026

27/08/2026

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

08/08/2026

07/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request