Vico Sotto, Benjie Magalong, and Leandro Leviste

There is hope for our country and people. Not all are corrupt in this dark era of unabated corruption. Three new Athos, Porthos, and Aramis have emerged from the stench and decay of a truly decadent society. Alexandre Dumas' famous novel published in 1844 told the story of a young Charles de Batz Castelmore D'Artagnan who travelled long and far in his pursuit to join the Three Musketeers.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez [e-mail]

Today's Three Musketeers in Philippine politics: Vico, Benjie, and Leandro, are like some "breaths of fresh air inside a catacomb of stench and decay.” While many family dynasties and trapos are plundering the nation and bleeding the public coffers dry of hard-earned taxes, these three have valiantly stood up and created a distinct breed of public service along the path of strong resistance from the forces of evil.

Vico Sotto has shown that good governance is still possible. Benjie Magalong has demonstrated that a city mayor should not limit his political advocacy to the confines of his own distant city. Leandro Legarda Leviste has demonstrated that there are still few honest men who have the guts to say no to millions of temptations.