Rafael Pineda Ponce
President of the National Congress of Honduras[a]
Born(1930-08-18)August 18, 1930
San Miguelito, Intibucá,
DiedJanuary 24, 2014(2014-01-24) (aged 83)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
NationalityHonduran
Education Brazil Universitária Armando de Salles Oliveira, São Paulo
Occupation(s)Professor and politician
Political partyLiberal Party of Honduras
SpouseMaría Lidia Espinoza
ChildrenAlicia Pineda Espinoza,
Rafael Pineda Espinoza,
Octavio Pineda Espinoza,
Mario Pineda Espinoza.
Parent(s)Juan R. Pineda and María Ponce

Rafael Pineda Ponce (August 18, 1930 – January 24, 2014) was a Honduran professor and politician in the Liberal Party of Honduras and President of the National Congress of Honduras from 1998 to 2002.[1]

Early life and education

Rafael Pineda Ponce was born to Juan Rafael Pineda López and María Ponce on August 18, 1930,[2] in a small house built by his grandparents, Caridad López Morales and Juan Rafael Pineda Flores. The house was located between Liber de Agua Zarca and Los Arrayanes next to Rio Tocó in the municipality of San Miguelito (now called San Miguel Guancapla), in the Department of Intibuca. He lived here for the first six years of his life.[3] Pineda Ponce had one older sister, Consuelo, and two younger brothers, Rafael and Carlos (called Carlitos). Carlitos was murdered as a child between San Miguelito and El Liber while returning home after selling dulce de rapadura.[4]

When Rafael was six, his mother, María Ponce, went back to her childhood home in Guatemala with her family, where she died soon after. After their mother left, Juan Pineda López placed Rafael and his siblings to live with relatives. Rafael first went to the city of La Esperanza, Intibucá. Afterwards he went with his sister Consuelo to live with their uncle, Filadelfo López Morales, in the village of Villa de Cofradía, in the department of Cortes.[5] Rafael completed his elementary school education alternating between three schools "Lempira" in Cofradía, and "Juan E Flores" and "Valero Meza", both in La Esperanza. In all three schools he was highly regarded by his teachers.[6] Rafael began his secondary education at the Instituto Departamental de Occidente (subsequently the Escuela Normal de Occidente, now the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán[7]). He transferred to the Escuela Normal de Varones in Tegucigalpa, where he received the certificate of Maestro de Educación Primaria.[2] He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science and Letters at the Instituto José Trinidad Reyes in San Pedro Sula.[2][8]

In La Esperanza, during the third and fourth years at normal school, Pineda Ponce was elected President of the Procultural Society (Presidente de La Sociedad Pro-Cultural), which constituted the most honorable position that a student could obtain at that time. When he graduated he was awarded the Father Trino Gold Medal (Medalla de Oro Padre Trino)[b] as the most outstanding secondary-education student, presented at the Municipal Palace in San Pedro Sula.[9]

In 1965, Pineda Ponce went to the Universitária Armando de Salles Oliveira, in São Paulo, Brazil to specialize in education of teachers (Especialista en Formación de Maestros).[2] This period exposed him to some of the most distinguished educators in Latin America. There, on April 14, he was selected as the principle orator at the Pan American Day, where he gave a lengthy speech.[c] In life he would become known as a prolific writer and a great orator of Honduras.[11]

Family life

Rafael Pineda Ponce was married to María Lidia Espinoza, who bore their four children, Alicia, Rafael, Octavio y Mario Pineda Espinoza.[2]

Political life

Rafael Pineda Ponce was a member of the Liberal Party of Honduras or PLH . In 1980 he was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Public Education during the provisional government of Policarpo Paz García. Pineda Ponce was an ideologue for the Liberal Party of Honduras. As well as encouraging many people to run for office after the return to democracy in 1980, he participated in many legislative initiatives, including the following:[12]

On November 30, 1997, after the general elections in Honduras, in which Carlos Roberto Flores won the presidential election, Pineda Ponce was named president of the National Congress of Honduras for the period 1998-2002. In the next primary election, Pineda Ponce was selected to be the Liberal candidate for the presidency. During general elections held on November 25, 2001, the Liberal Party won 55 of the 128 parliamentary seats in the National Congress of Honduras, although Pineda Ponce received only 30% of the votes and lost the election to the National Party candidate, Ricardo Maduro.

Pineda Ponce attempted to mount another presidential campaign in 2004, but participated in and supported the presidential campaign of Manuel Zelaya after Zelaya became the Liberal Party candidate in 2005. After the election, Pineda Ponce served as Minister of Education in the Zelaya government from 2006 to 2007.[14][15] During his tenure as minister of education, he oversaw reactivation of the normal school system to train teachers that had been discontinued by the previous administration. This measure was taken to cover a deficit of thousands of teachers, especially for thousands of children between four and six years who had no access to kinder and preparatory education.[16] After more than a year, Pineda Ponce realized that he was no longer able to work effectively in the Zelaya government, and after 17 months[17] he resigned from his ministry post.[18][19][20] In a 2008 interview, he observed that the government of Mel Zelaya "had no direction, compass, or goals" and that "improvisation, appearances and theatricality prevailed rather than the serene, judicious and accurate analysis of national problems."[21]

Later life and death

Pineda Ponce retired from government to the role of elder statesman in 2007, only to return temporarily to serve as Minister of the Presidency in the interim government of Roberto Micheletti, which arose out of the removal from power of Manuel Zelaya in the 2009 Honduran constitutional crisis.[22] Subsequently, in a 2010 interview he opined that the Liberal Party leaders, including the ousted Zelaya, needed to unify the party to rescue power and "defend democracy." However, the embittered followers of Zelaya contested the subsequent election within the newly formed Libre Party.[23] After the opposing National Party took control of both the presidency and congress, Pineda Ponce questioned the subsequent productivity of the government and the congress, observing that much of their legislation violated the constitution.[24][25]

It was during this final period of his life that Pineda Ponce coined the expression "tilín, tilín" (cha-ching, cha-ching) that has entered the political lexicon of Honduras in reference to politicians compromising principle and party for the jingle of money.[26][27]

After an illness that caused Pineda Ponce to depart from public life, the Congress met in a plenary session and voted on a decree to extend financial help to its former head and presidential candidate. Pineda Ponce died on January 24, 2014.[1][28]

Data

Political offices Preceded byEugenio Matute Canizales Minister of Education of Honduras 1980–1981 Succeeded byAlma Rodas de Fiallos Preceded byCarlos Roberto Flores President of the National Congress of Honduras 1998–2002 Succeeded byPorfirio Lobo Sosa Preceded byRoberto Martínez Lozano Minister of Education of Honduras 2006–2007 Succeeded byMarlon Brevé Reyes

Notes

  1. ^ Fifth President of Legislature V under the 1982 Constitution of Honduras.
  2. ^ Padre Trino was José Trinidad Reyes, who was the founder of the Autonomous National University of Honduras and is considered a national hero of Honduras.
  3. ^ His Pan American Day speech included this passage: "Debo a la deferencia de mis compañeros de curso, la honrosa statisfacción de dirigirme a vosotros en este día de solemne trascendencia y de honda satisfacción humana para los pueblos de América."[10]
  4. ^ Programa de Asignacion Familiar (PRAF) is a conditional transfer program and stimulus mechanism to promote social projects to solve the basic needs of the poorest, as well as the improvement of human capital through training and the development of local resources through self-management.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Lanza, Lastenia (24 January 2014). "Luto por fallecimiento de Rafael Pineda Ponce" [Mourning for the death of Rafael Pineda Ponce]. La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Curriculum Vitae: Sr. Rafael Pineda Ponce" (PDF). UNESCO Database (UNESDOC). 30 July 1985. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  3. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, p. 19.
  4. ^ 21-24 January 2018, details confirmed in oral communications with Juan Pineda Chávez, Norma Pineda Chávez, Blanca Pineda Chávez (brother and sisters of Rafael Pineda Ponce)
  5. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, p. 20.
  6. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, p. 21.
  7. ^ Garcia, Lisseth (11 October 2016). "Normal de Occidente dice adiós a 133 años de formar maestros" [Normal de Occidente says goodbye to 133 years of training teachers]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  8. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, p. 22.
  9. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, pp. 22–23.
  10. ^ Ríos Gómez 1998, pp. 25.
  11. ^ Espinoza Murra, Dagoberto (24 January 2016). "Por los caminos de la oratoria hondureña" [On the roads of Honduran oratory]. La Tribuna. Periódicos y Revistas, S.A. (PYRSA). Retrieved 22 January 2018. Pineda Ponce, el maestro de generaciones, condujo con su palabra sabia, eventos de trascendencia nacional.
  12. ^ Pineda Espinoza, Octavio (20 August 2014). "El último león del liberalismo" [The last lion of liberalism]. La Tribuna (in Spanish). Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Periódicos y Revistas, S.A. (PYRSA). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Programa de asignación familiar (PRAF)" [Family allowance program (PRAF)]. Sistema de Información Sobre la Primera Infancia en América Latina (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: SIPI (IIPE - UNESCO). Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  14. ^ Political Database of the Americas
  15. ^ "Mel oficializa hoy su gabinete" [Mel officializes his cabinet today]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 27 January 2007.
  16. ^ "Mel reactiva escuelas normales" [Mel reactivates normal schools]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Presidente Zelaya anuncia nuevo nombrmientos en el Govierno" [President Zelaya announces new appointments in the Government]. La Prensa (in Spanish). Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Zelaya hace 'mal teatro'" [Zelaya makes "bad theater"]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2018. 'Con el Presidente no me he vuelto a reunir desde que prescindió de mis servicios, no lo hizo directamente, porque ese gusto no quise dárselo. Renuncié. Creo que tenía lista la guillotina para cortarme la cabeza y no lo he vuelto a ver ni tengo interés', dijo a la HRN.
  19. ^ "'Salida de Pineda Ponce se gesta en Finanzas'" [Exit of Pineda Ponce ochestrated by Finance]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2018. La salida del ministro de Educación, Rafael Pineda Ponce, se estaría planeando desde la Secretaría de Finanzas.
  20. ^ "Premian al despedido Rafael Pineda Ponce" [Rafael Pineda Ponce recognized after release from position]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Gobierno "no tiene dirección, brújula ni metas": Pineda Ponce" [Government "has no direction, compass or goals": Pineda Ponce]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2018. Lamentablemente y no puedo ocultarlo, en muchas de las acciones del actual Gobierno ha primado la improvisación, el golpe de efecto y a ratos un poco la teatralidad, más que el análisis sereno, juicioso y certero de los problemas nacionales.
  22. ^ "Q&A Political Crisis in Honduras". BBC. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  23. ^ "Pineda Ponce: Líderes del PL son ambiciosos" [Pineda Ponce: Liberal Party leaders are ambitious]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2018. El ex candidato presidencial Rafael Pineda Ponce opinó que los líderes del Partido Liberal necesitan despojarse de caprichos y ambiciones para unificar al partido y rescatar el poder.
  24. ^ "'Muchas leyes son violatorias': Pineda Ponce" ["Many laws are violating (the Constitution)": Pineda Ponce]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2018. Se habla mucho de un Congreso productivo, es verdad que ha habido muchas leyes, pero la gran mayoría de ellas inconstitucionales, violatorias de la Constitución, disminuyendo algunas garantías de los ciudadanos, y en algunos casos hasta atentando contra los intereses supremos de la nación.
  25. ^ "Pineda Ponce: El Partido Nacional es una amenaza para el futuro democrático de Honduras" [Pineda Ponce: The National Party is a threat to the democratic future of Honduras]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Organización Publicitaria, S.A., OPSA, ahora Grupo Opsa. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Rafael Pineda Ponce: 'Parece que el tilín, tilín, de las monedas compromete algunos de los diputados liberales'" [Rafael Pineda Ponce: "It seems that the ding, ding, of coins compromises liberal deputies"]. Proceso Digital (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2018. Parece que el tilín, tilín, de las monedas compromete algunos de los diputados liberales.
  27. ^ Zelaya Rubí, Boris (11 August 2015). "Leales y obedientes ¿al tilín-tilín?" [Loyal and obedient to the tilín-tilín?]. La Tribuna. Periódicos y Revistas, S.A. (PYRSA). Retrieved 22 January 2018. ... el "tilín, tilín", palabras que hizo famosas al acto de recibir dinero (coimas) el profesor Rafael Pineda Ponce (Q.D.D.G.).
  28. ^ "Muere expresidente del Congreso de Honduras, Rafael Pineda Ponce" [Ex-president of the Congress of Honduras dies: Rafael Pineda Ponce]. El Heraldo. Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., Honduras: Publicaciones y Noticias S.A. (PUBLYNSA.). 28 April 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2018.

Bibliography

  • Narváez Rosales, Renaldo (1983). Biografía del educador hondureño profesor Rafael Pineda Ponce: ex-ministro de educación pública [Biography of Honduran educator Professor Rafael Pineda Ponce: ex-minister of public education] (in Spanish). Comayagüela, D.C., C.A. OCLC 17160610.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Pineda Ponce, Rafael (1981). Por los caminos de la patria: ideario de Rafael Pineda Ponce [Along the roads of the nation: Ideology of Rafael Pineda Ponce] (in Spanish). Tegucigalpa, D.C., Honduras, C.A. OCLC 655993721.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Pineda Ponce, Rafael (1976). Tres años de labores en la Dirección General de Educación Primaria, 1973-1975: informe presentado al Gobierno de la República y al pueblo hondureño [Three years of work in the Directorate General of Primary Education, 1973-1975: Report submitted to the Government of the Republic and to the people of Honduras] (in Spanish). Tegucigalpa : República de Honduras, C.A: Ministerio de Educación Pública, Dirección General de Educación Primaria. OCLC 5839369.
  • Ríos Gómez, Miguel Angel (1998). Biografía de un lider: Profesor Rafael Pineda Ponce [Biography of a leader: Professor Rafael Pineda Ponce] (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula, Honduras, C.A. OCLC 42397385.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

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