By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
As a media outfit we have to do our function to promote the common good. One way of doing that is to cite good public officials who are transparent in the performance of their functions, especially in the handling or in the utilization of public funds. However, that is not enough, for it has to be coupled with competence.
One such public official is Mayor Abraham Akilit of Bauko, Mountain Province. He has initiative, energy and creativity in sourcing funds from the private or government sector to finance livelihood projects for his constituents.
He is also strict in the administration of his municipality’s affairs. More so when it came to the need for his subordinates not just to be efficient in the performance of their duties, but more so when they have to deal with constituents. The people expect that they be cordially, efficiently and competently served, and that was what Mayor Akilit had been giving them during his almost three terms as their mayor.
When he first sat as mayor, majority of the bureaucrats in the municipality were shocked as he would make them work even during weekends if there was a need to. This was unheard of in almost all local governments around the country, except during campaign periods or emergencies. Perhaps after almost nine years of his leadership, the local bureaucrats must have realized that government work need not be a joke.
As to awards, Mayor Akilit and his town must be the most awarded in the whole region, if not the whole country. These are not flimsy awards. We are talking of performance-based awards from various groups in government and in the private sector.
His constituents even put it better: “Kitang kita ang ebidensiya!”
Most important of all, Mayor Akilit, unlike so many other officials, is not corrupt. And he remains humble even up to now. Despite all the accolades.
Then there is the mayor and past mayors of Besao, Mountain Province. I, the editor and publisher of this paper, am a true blue iBesao. When this paper was put up 26 years ago, the mayor of our town was Johnson Bantog Sr. He and all those who followed him (Bart Guzman, Wellington Pooten and now Johnson Bantog Jr., were and still are supportive of this paper.
What is the materiality of that to the common good? Such support which reflects that of the people of the town is out of our sense of community. We inspire and support the entrepreneurial efforts or other initiatives of our kakailians, sometimes even if they are just dreamers like us. Even leaders of other places like former Baguio Mayor and Congressman Domogan who trace their roots to Besao have been supportive of us. They still are. You can say the same thing about fellow iBesaos who left the place, for they are and will always be iBesaos at heart, whereever they are.
If only other towns have a similar sense of community—instead of crab mentality—this country could be a better place to live in.
Before I go on, the present mayor of Besao is well loved by his constituents. He has yet to know how it is to have an opponent during elections and will still be ignorant about that this coming election.
A lady lawyer colleague of mine and her group once went to a far-flung barangay there to distribute books and they were surprised at how the mayor was adored there. He was doing his job as their leader.
From reliable sources, he also has energy and initiative to bring the bacon to his people. And he is also transparent and not corrupt.
***
How about other public officials in Mountain Province?
Recently I met an old friend who is also from that province. This guy is highly educated and has access to some sensitive information regarding the corrupt practices of one politician there and he had been telling people about it.
To contribute to the story, I also told him what I heard that the politician does not even have charisma. Worse, he allegedly has a compelling vice that involves money.
But surprise, surprise, the Mountain Province people voted him into office.
As we were having a good laugh, my friend loudly said in derision, “I thought Mountain Province voters were intelligent?
I thought so, too. **
