July 21, 2010

Would you want somebody to decide for you even if you might have reservations to what they want you to do or say? Would you want someone to control you? Would you want just one particular person to claim your victory?

Some say that patronage politics is very prevalent in Philippine politics. For an interested individual to be able to serve, he or she should first visit and ask for the blessing of the political God parent of that particular area. In turn, if he or she is chosen to be part of the so called political God parent, he or she gets the strong machinery and endorsement to be able to win the elections. After such, the individual is in political debt that might possibly make him and her very vulnerable to strong influence in decision making on policy and program matters of his new office by the God parent. He or she might not be able to act independently and will always have someone to tell him or her what to do or say.

During the campaign and then the oath taking, we have mentioned in our speeches and committed to serving the people first and to do well for the area we were given the mandate to serve. There was no mention of serving the interest of a particular individual or our own personal and political interests. It was about people first. In my case, I always believe in the City First policy. I adhere to the fact that my post was from and for the people of Iloilo City. Without their support, I won’t be in my post. I am not in my post to serve and please other politicians but rather to serve with excellence and compassion the people of Iloilo City who have given me their trust, confidence and love.

When I first ran in 2007 as the youngest to have ran during that time at age 27, the powers that be in Iloilo City politics were against my running and more so our winning. It was said that they launched mudslinging attacks against me and even apparently provided incentives on a barangay basis to defeat me.

I ran for the first time in 2007 because I felt I could be of help to the city and I could serve as a voice to the voiceless, to give recognition to faces that were not given attention to, and to provide a strong voice for elderly, women and most especially the youth. I did not pass by the traditional route of asking permission and support from the powers that be. I knew it would be an uphill battle and a hard fight but I felt that it was worth the try, the sacrifice, the pain and the tests. The lack of major incumbent political players’ support on my first run actually was more of a blessing on my part because it made me a stronger, well prepared and mass supported candidate. Furthermore, I did not owe political debt to any major political figures of my victory because it was a result of the strong support of the people of Iloilo City. Thus, I owe my post to the people and that is why I put their best interest in every decision I make. With such, I am blessed to have an independent mind that puts City First above political affiliations and above personal interests.

Even in the legislature or the City Council, I have practiced diplomacy, reaching out to various political groups and bi partisanship. I work to develop good working relationships with members of the opposition, administration and independents. I forget politics and put the best interest of the city as my top priority. In the ordinances I have passed, I have co-authored or co sponsored it with colleagues from different political affiliations. Moreover, even in the committees, I have chaired and I am Chairman, I choose the Vice Chairmen and members who I feel are best suited for the post regardless of political color. Maybe for some who have political masters, they would only limit themselves to their own political groups and might not be as friendly to others.

In the implementation of my special programs and projects, I have worked with government and the private sector and the beneficiaries are not necessarily only those who have supported me but even those who did not. I even choose to give projects to all barangays regardless if I won strongly there or not and even if they have a big or small voting population and regardless if the barangay officials are on my side or not. I am a City Official of the whole City and not only of those who voted for me.

I am so thankful and blessed to be independent minded because it has given me the leeway to be able to do my roles, responsibilities and duties as excellently as I can without the influence of politics. I am privileged and proud to say that I am my own man.