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.

July 7, 2010

In our apparently stressful, competitive and demanding world, we experience disappointments, refusals, betrayals, envy and inadequacy. This might lead to boredom, depression or sadness. Well, I would like to believe everyone experiences such so as to appreciate success, approvals, sincerity, happiness and security. Before we compare ourselves to others or think of what we weren’t able to accomplish or have, let us know what we have, appreciate the things we were blessed with and to count our blessings.

I am blessed and thankful to have been trained by the schools I went to and to the family I belong in to always appreciate what I have. I was also taught that humility is a sign of security, selflessness and of being good-natured. Furthermore, I was told that life isn’t a competition but rather it is about how one can be a productive member of the society and that life should be about unity and working hand in hand for a better community. It might be a dream to work for a perfect society but as they say it won’t hurt if we work for a high goal so that if we won’t be able to hit the mark at least we tried and hopefully we reached something close to it.

In life they say, to appreciate what we have and to recognize such it is best that we count our blessings and for this article I would like to count mine and to share with you how grateful and humbled I am with such and in no particular order.

1. I am blessed to be born to and part of the Causing-Tupas families.
2. I am thankful to have very supportive and loving parents who gave me the leeway to make appropriate and mature decisions in my life.
3. I am glad to have siblings, relatives and real friends who I can count on most of the time.
4. I am privileged and humbled to be part of the schools that taught me to be a man for others and have equipped me with the knowledge and training that have made me reach for my dreams. Thank you Montessori, La Salle Green Hills as Consistent Honor Student and Honors’ Class President, Ateneo De Manila Univeristy for my AB Economics Degree (Dean’s Lister) and for being Student Council Officer, UP Diliman for my MA in Public Management major in Local Government Administration, Asian Institute of Management for my Basic Management and for the Best Integration Award and Central Philippine University for my Doctor of Management with concentration in Public Management degree.
5. I am grateful for the opportunities of developing my leadership skills in the local and international scenes. I was chosen as Philippine China Youth Ambassador that went to various cities in China, delegate to the young political leaders summit in Denmark, observer of the local elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung, participant of the Running Successful Political Campaign Seminar in Indonesia, delegate participant of the United Nations Seminar on Human Rights in the United States of America, Kabataang Liberal Seminars and Training programs in various parts of the country being the National Executive Vice President and former National President for Students, Philippine Councilor’s League and the National Movement for Young Legislators Seminars in various parts of the country, and as Student Council Officer since my high school to college days.
6. I am privileged and honored to have the strong support of Iloilo City and for its warm welcome when I transferred my residency. Also, for supporting my stint as a media personality as TV Host, Radio Anchor and Newspaper Columnist and for giving me the chance to mold young minds and for being ranked number 1 teacher of Iloilo National High School and for having the opportunities to teach in various private schools and universities. Most of all, for trusting a simple, young man who has a vision for the City as Ilonggos made me the youngest City Councilor at age 27 in my first run against all odds and for making me number 1 City Councilor with more or less 93,000 votes in my re-election. Thank You City of Love. I will continue to make sure I give excellent public service. Furthermore, I am blessed to be given the Dangal ng Pilipinas Award for City Legislative Excellence.
7. I am blessed with a very pretty, sexy, sweet, conservative, religious, pure, compassionate and supportive wife who comes from a good family and who is a Medical Doctor. I am also glad to have great in laws who have warmly welcomed me and who are always there for me and my wife.
8. I am blessed and grateful to be an expectant father and excited to have my own kid and to work hard to become a great dad.
9. I am overwhelmed to have the strong support of my Ninongs and Ninangs from all places of society and from my real friends in the political arena and in the various organizations I am part of.
10. I am glad to work with my staff who shares the same commitment and visions for the City that I have.

I am sure each one of us has his or her list of blessings that we are thankful of. I am sure each one of you after you list your blessings would be glad for what we have and for what was given to us. Before we look at what others have and what we failed to have, let us know and appreciate the things we do have. Most of it are priceless which makes us truly smile and happy. Thus, when we feel that we lack or lost something, it might be best to count our blessings and thank God for his love and mercy. To God be the glory.