< Back AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON By Atty. Joey Ramos, Atty. Herbert Hernane, and Atty. Mao Santos Learn about the benefits you should receive as employees during the holiday season. The holidays have always been a time of merriment and joy for the working Filipino. The Christmas parties, eventful family gatherings, and batch reunions have been a source of fun and laughter in these times. Equally joyous is opening your payslip and seeing that bonus you have long waited for. Here are the benefits typically received by employees during the holiday season. 13TH MONTH PAY The 13th month pay is a monetary benefit equivalent to at least 1/12 of the total basic salary earned by an employee in a calendar year. Basic salary, for purposes of computing 13th month pay, shall include all remunerations or earnings paid by the employer to the employee for services rendered. As a general rule, other benefits such as unused leave credits, overtime premium, night shift differential, holiday pay, and cost of living allowances are not part of the basic salary for purposes of computing the 13th month pay.1 An exemption to this rule is when these benefits are included in the computation for 13th month pay under company policy, collective bargaining agreement, or have ripened into company practice. COVERAGE Employers are mandated to give the 13th month pay to rank-and-file employees who have already worked for at least one month during a calendar year; employees who are paid on a piece-work basis; and employees who are paid a fixed or guaranteed wage plus commission. EXEMPTED EMPLOYERS The following employers are not required to pay 13th month pay: The government and any of its political subdivisions, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), except those corporations operating essentially as private subsidiaries of the government; employers who are already paying their employees 13th month pay or more in a calendar year or its equivalent at the time of the issuance of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 851; persons in the personal service of another in relation to such workers; and employers of those who are paid on purely commission, boundary, or task basis, and those who are paid a fixed amount for performing specific work, irrespective of the time consumed in the performance thereof (except those workers who are paid on a piece-rate basis, in which case their employer shall grant them 13th month pay). TIME OF PAYMENT OF 13TH MONTH PAY The 13th month pay shall be paid not later than December 24 of every year. The employer may, at his discretion, release one-half of the 13th month pay at an earlier date. 13TH MONTH PAY FOR RESIGNED OR SEPARATED EMPLOYEES An employee who has resigned or whose services are terminated at any time before the time of payment of the 13th month pay is entitled to this monetary benefit in proportion to the length of time he or she started working during the calendar year up to the time of his or her resignation or termination from the service. For example, if an employee worked from January to July, his proportionate 13th month pay should be equal to 1/12th of the total basic salary earned during that period DISTINGUISHING FROM CHRISTMAS BONUS Employers should distinguish between the 13th month pay and their annual Christmas bonus. The former is a mandated benefit under the law, while the latter is an optional benefit given by the employer as an incentive to the employees. The amount of the 13th month pay is dependent upon the total basic salary, while the amount of the Christmas bonus depends on the discretion of the employer. HOLIDAY PAY Aside from the Christmas season, we also encounter various working and non-working holidays throughout the year wherein employees are not mandated to work. If they do report for work, they are entitled to holiday pay. Holiday pay refers to the payment of the regular daily wage for any unworked regular holiday, which includes the following: New Year’s Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), Eid’l Fitr, Eid’l Adha, National Heroes Day (August 29), Bonifacio Day (November 30), Christmas Day (December 25), and Rizal Day (December 30). Article 94 of the Labor Code, as amended, provides that employers may require their employees to work during the holidays provided they shall be paid compensation equal to twice their regular rate (200 percent of the daily rate). Employees who do not work on regular holidays are still entitled to 100 percent of their daily rate. However, if the employee is absent without official leave on the day which immediately preceded the regular holiday, he is not entitled to any holiday pay, unless he works on that day. PREMIUM PAY Premium pay refers to additional compensation for work performed within eight hours on non-workdays, such as rest days and special holidays. Special non-working holidays include the following: Chinese New Year, EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary, Black Saturday, Ninoy Aquino Day, All Saints’ Day, and Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary. Unlike regular holidays, the “no work, no pay” principle applies to those who are not required to work during special non-working holidays. Those that are required to work during these days are entitled to additional compensation of at least 30 percent of their basic wage. Employers should also note special working days which include: All Souls Day, Christmas Eve, and the last day of the year. For work rendered on special working days, an employee is not entitled to any additional compensation except for his daily wage. HOURS OF WORK DURING THE HOLIDAYS The general rule is that normal working hours shall not exceed eight hours a day. Any work rendered beyond eight hours is subject to payment of an overtime premium of at least 25 percent of the hourly rate. The same rules apply to overtime work rendered during holidays, whether regular or special non-working holidays, with the sole difference being the overtime premium paid which is 30 percent of the hourly rate. 14TH MONTH PAY? House Bill No. 520, filed by Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo last June 30, 2022, seeks to mandate employers in the private sector to provide 14th month pay, which shall also be equivalent to the employee’s monthly basic salary. Under its explanatory note, it was stated that despite companies granting 13th month pay, many Filipino families still struggle to make ends meet due to meager salaries and the growing cost of living. In this regard, the proposed 14th month pay aims to provide additional relief to most Filipino families, especially during the holidays. It should be noted that similar bills have been filed in previous years, but were not enacted into law by Congress. 1 See PD No. 851 and DOLE Labor Advisory No. 18-2021 entitled “Guidelines on the Payment of Thirteenth Month Pay.” Buy magazine here

< Back Bridging the Gap Chairman Daniel Bocobo on balancing the goals and needs of Barangay Fort Bonifacio BY FREDERICK N. CASTILLO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO Mention Fort Bonifacio to anyone and it becomes immediately synonymous with Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a highly urbanized and rapidly growing business and commercial district within the barangay. Despite grabbing headlines due to its high profile, BGC is not the entire Barangay Fort Bonifacio as Chairman Jorge Daniel Bocobo is quick to point out. His barangay is composed of several lesser known areas and sitios, and he is on a mission to ensure that the needs and welfare of constituents from these areas are not left behind. A HEART FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Despite being raised in a relatively affluent community in Alabang, Chairman Bocobo knew early on that serving his countrymen is the path he wanted to pursue. He initially contemplated studying law after taking up history in UP Diliman, but eventually found his way to government service where he has worked in various capacities since 1997, beginning as a congressional staff member of Rep. Herminio Teves of Negros Oriental. It was in 2001, when he was the chief of staff of then Muntinlupa City Councilor Ren-Ren Cayetano, that Chairman Bocobo was first exposed to the harsh realities of community life, particularly in providing for the needs of the poorest of the poor. His experience drove home the importance and necessity of serving the grassroots through effective programs spearheaded by the government. He followed this up with a stint as a staff member in the Senate, where legislation and support to government policies were the tools of public service. He, however, felt that he needed to do more. “I was aware that I was already helping and serving the people, although indirectly through policies and administrative functions. Pero hinahanap ko pa rin yung direktang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan. (But I still longed for the chance to have a direct impact on those in need).” His opportunity came when former TV director Lino Cayetano was elected chairman of Barangay Fort Bonifacio. He appointed Chairman Bocobo as his administrator, a position he held for two years before Direk Lino became a congressman of the City of Taguig. Working at the grassroots level once more, it became clear to him that this was where his heart lay. He was later appointed as head of the Taguig City Economic Investment Promotions Office for six years, but by this time he was already resolute in what he believed was his true purpose. Chairman Bocobo’s pivotal decision to pursue the chairmanship of Barangay Fort Bonifacio proved to be the turning point in his career. He credits the mentorship of former senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, whose Christian values and exemplary public service record he draws inspiration from. He is grateful to the former senator for providing the motivation and guidance he needed as he prepared for the challenges ahead. As barangay chairman, his leadership style is anchored on collaboration and decisive action. He makes it a point to rally all the stakeholders and carefully considers their views and opinions, whether or not they align with his own. “Mahirap din talaga maging chairman ng isang barangay tulad ng Fort Bonifacio. (It is not easy being barangay chairman of Fort Bonifacio). You have to balance everything, from the requirements of thousands of business locators and their employees to the daily needs, such as food and shelter, of people in the sitios. “Mahirap din talaga maging chairman ng isang barangay tulad ng Fort Bonifacio. (It is not easy being barangay chairman of Fort Bonifacio). You have to balance everything, from the requirements of thousands of business locators and their employees to the daily needs, such as food and shelter, of people in the sitios. A BALANCING ACT One of Chairman Bocobo’s biggest challenges is addressing the economic inequality in his barangay. BGC may be the seat of fiscal power and opportunity, but the benefits must trickle down to the smaller areas. His primary role is to bridge the economic gap and bring progress to the sitios. He has outlined public safety, peace and order, health and education as his priorities. “Education has been a main priority of our City under the able leadership of Mayor Lani Cayetano. In fact, we have the highest budget for scholarships in the country. Part of my job now is to help our graduates find gainful employment, and provide additional training if necessary,” he states. He has taken on the task of matching job opportunities in the business districts to unemployed constituents of the city. With the healthy professional relationship he has cultivated with the private sector and the city government, there is every reason to feel optimistic. Chairman Bocobo launched one of his pet projects, the “I Show Malasakit (Empathy) program which aims to build a community that is self-reliant by engaging people to execute simple and basic tasks, such as garbage segregation and maintaining cleanliness in the community, automatically and on their own initiative. “I want to build a community that cares. Kasi noong campaign, ‘yan na ang advocacy ko. Ipinakilala ko sa mga kababayan natin na sama-sama dapat tayong magmalasakit sa barangay at sa ating syudad. (That has been my advocacy even during the campaign. I asked everyone to work in unison to care for our community, to work for each other and take care of each other.)” As busy as Chairman Bocobo is being the barangay chairman, he still has his hands full with additional responsibilities: He is the President of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), which earned him his status as a sitting member of the Taguig City Council, and he is also the Secretary-General of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (League of Barangays in the Philippines). FULL STEAM AHEAD There is much to be done, but Chairman Bocobo remains undaunted. As he balances his civic duties with his role as a husband and father, he puts God at the center of all his endeavors, being actively involved in Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, a Catholic charismatic community where he also serves as a leader. With Christian values and advocacy of good governance as the cornerstone of his administration, things are definitely looking up for this young public servant.

< Back Championing the Barangay System Martin Diño played a prominent role in implementing the Duterte administration’s various local government policies, specifically at the barangay level. BY FREDERICK N. CASTILLO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA JR. GROOMING BY SHARLENE ANN LOMIBAO On October 16, 2015, Martin B. Diño, who was then chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), was inevitably thrust into the national political scene when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), mere minutes before the deadline. Although then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte eventually substituted for him as presidential standard bearer of PDPLaban (subsequently winning the presidency in the May 13, 2016 elections), Diño soon played a prominent role in implementing the Duterte administration’s various local government policies, specifically at the barangay level. ROAD TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE Known for his high-profile role as VACC chairman, Diño was particularly engaged in the group’s effort to seek justice for victims of heinous crimes and accountability for corrupt government officials, providing Filipinos with a glimpse of his capabilities as a leader of a non-government organization (NGO). However, he evidently honed his potential and then made his mark professionally as a public servant in various capacities. Not many may be aware that Diño actually started his career in government service in 1978, as area coordinator and then supervisor of the Quezon City government’s Barangay Operations Center. He likewise worked as part of the internal audit team of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The year 1994 was Diño’s first foray in an elective government post, when he was elected chairperson of Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, serving his constituents for 13 years until 2007. “Lahat ng natutuhan ko during the time na nasa Quezon City Barangay Operations Center ako at ‘yung experience ko na 13 years as barangay chairperson… kaya well-versed ako sa Local Government Code (I’m well-versed in the Local Government Code, given my learnings and experiences while working in the Quezon City Barangay Operations Center and 13 years as barangay chairperson).” Clearly, his extensive experience at the local government level enabled him to gain familiarity with the different facets of local governance, preparing him for his future role in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). TEMPORARY DETOUR Diño explains that when the Duterte administration took over on June 30, 2016, the original plan was for him to be appointed to a position in DILG. However, a medical condition at the time prevented his immediate appointment in the department. On September 23, 2016, Duterte appointed Diño as chairman of the board of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and assumed office the week after. Among his goals as SBMA chairman were to rebuild the freeport’s ageing infrastructure, modernize the port facilities, and pursue various infrastructure projects to enhance Subic’s business appeal. Controversies surrounding the agency’s leadership structure inevitably led to his exit in September 2017. “Nanghinayang din ako dahil ang dami nang magagandang proyekto na dapat gawin doon (What happened was regrettable because there were still numerous worthwhile projects that should have been implemented there),” explains Diño. ‘HOMECOMING’ As fate would have it, Diño’s exit from SBMA was followed by his eventual homecoming in the field of local governance. On January 8, 2018, Duterte appointed him DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, several months after reports that he will be given the referred post. His appointment meant assuming responsibility in managing the affairs of over 42,000 barangays nationwide. As the country’s virtual lead “barangay chairperson,” Diño’s primary responsibilities were as follows: assist the DILG secretary in developing and implementing department policies, programs, and projects that reach/ cover barangays; ensure compliance and adherence of barangays with the various directives of the president; serve as DILG representative to other national government agencies on matters related to the implementation of community/barangay-level initiatives; represent the DILG in the Liga ng mga Barangay; supervise the National Barangay Operations Office; act as accountable official in various barangay-related initiative of the DILG; oversee the establishment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) desks in barangays; and file appropriate charges against barangay chairpersons for various violations. Given the Duterte administration’s highly controversial “war on drugs,” among the priorities of Diño was to strengthen the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), with focus on continuously increasing the number of drug-free barangays. “Noong umupo kami nina Presidente [Duterte] at Secretary Eduardo Año, naging functional ang BADAC at continuous ang fight against illegal drugs, lahat ng barangay, kumikilos against illegal drugs (When President [Duterte] and Secretary Eduardo Año, and I assumed office, BADAC became functional and all barangays continuously mobilized against illegal drugs),” he explains. STRENGTHENING BARANGAYS, STRENGTHENING LOCAL AUTONOMY Apart from complying with Duterte’s antiillegal drugs campaign, Diño also put emphasis on strengthening local autonomy by empowering and strengthening the barangay system. “Ang barangay itself ay isang uri ng [kompletong] pamahalaan na may iba’t ibang sangay—may barangay council [as legislative branch], lupong tagapamayapa [as judicial branch], at punong barangay [as chief executive]. Mayroon ding daycare centers, barangay health workers, at mga barangay tanod para sa peace and order (The barangay itself is a form of [complete] government with various branches—it has a barangay council [as legislative branch], lupong tagapamayapa [as judicial branch], and barangay chairperson [as chief executive]. Barangays also have daycare centers, barangay health workers, and barangay tanods for peace and order),” Diño elaborates. Diño likewise reiterates that as undersecretary, he endeavors to further enhance the capabilities of barangay officials to respond to various emergencies, as well as ensure that they are consistently doing their jobs. “Naging super active ang ating mga barangay, natuto sila ngayon na sumunod sa mga memorandum circular. Dati wala lang (Barangays became active and learned to follow memorandum circulars that we issue. Before, they would just brush them aside),” Diño adds. He cites the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, in which barangay officials are at the forefront of delivering services to the people, from implementing lockdown directives issued by the national government, issuing quarantine passes, providing food and medicine, and distributing cash aid. In particular, barangay health workers were tapped to administer contact tracing and isolation of infected residents, as well as in vaccination drives when the vaccines became available. Moreover, he mentions that barangay officials became active in road clearing operations, clean-up drives, and providing assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in implementing the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). Diño stresses the need to constantly train barangay officials to make them efficient and effective in the performance of their duties. “Right after ng barangay elections, mayroon tayong isinasagawang barangay Newly Elected Officials (NEO) training… pero kulang kasi dalawang araw lang. Kaya nagkaroon tayo ng special course na ang gumagawa ng mga module ay ang Local Government Academy (Right after the barangay elections, officials undergo a barangay Newly Elected Officials (NEO) training, although it is quite limited because it’s held for only two days. As such, we offer a special course through the Local Government Academy),” he explains. The DILG and Department of Justice (DOJ) also train barangay kagawads, tanods, secretaries, treasurers, and health workers through seminars, workshops, and modules. PROMOTING ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE With the increased focus on the barangay as an instrument of nation-building, Diño warns that barangay officials should consistently follow the directives of the national government and to always be available to their constituents, particularly in times of emergencies and disasters. He warns: “‘Pag nawala ka diyan, may show cause order ka. You will explain bakit di ka kailangan kasuhan dahil in times of emergency wala ka sa barangay mo (If you are not present in times of emergencies you’ll be served a show cause order. You’ll have to explain why a case should not be filed against you for being absent from your barangay).” To underscore the department’s resolve to clean up the ranks of barangay officials, he shares that cases have been filed against numerous officials before the Ombudsman for various violations, including those related to corruption, abuse of authority, and dereliction of responsibilities. Nevertheless, Diño endeavors to incentivize exemplary performance by barangay officials in their respective jurisdictions by introducing the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for Barangays. He explains that before cities and municipalities receive seals of good governance, barangays should be in order and functioning properly. “Bakit mo bibigyan ng seal of good governance ang mga municipality at city kung ang mga barangay mo ay hindi maayos ang record? Kaya para makakuha ka ng seal of good governance, ayusin mo ‘yung barangay (Why would you award seals of good governance to municipalities and cities if your barangays do not have good records? So, if they want to receive seals of good governance, they have to put their barangays in order first),” Diño reiterates. BARANGAYS AT THE FOREFRONT Diño proudly shares that in the past few years, the barangay has been at the forefront of the national government’s thrust to serve the people down to the grassroots level. He reiterates that “Gumalaw, nag-respond ang barangay, nakilala ang kahalagahan ng barangay. ‘Yung success ng Duterte administration, may kinalaman ang barangay— fight against illegal drugs, insurgency, violent extremism, terrorism, environmental issues, [and the] COVID-19 pandemic (Barangays responded and their value was recognized. Barangays also contributed to the success of the Duterte administration, including in the fight against illegal drugs, insurgency, violent extremism, terrorism, environmental issues, [and the] COVID-19 pandemic).” Even though Diño vacated his post on June 30 2022, he still proudly upholds his advocacy as a champion of the barangay system and its critical role in nation-building. His contributions as DILG undersecretary will serve as important building blocks for better governance at the grassroots level.

< Back What We Can Learn From APEC’s Most Liveable City A Filipino living abroad shares six lessons that the Philippines can learn from Singapore BY RAPHAEL FRANCISCO GERVASIO After residing in Singapore for 12 years, it comes as no surprise to me that it has replaced Hong Kong as the most liveable city in Asia in the Global Liveability report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). A technological hub that is the heart of a dynamic region in Southeast Asia, Singapore continues to excel across various sectors, a quality that entices immigrants to uproot to this multiracial city-state. The EIU’s in-house analysts rank cities by allocating each a score for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five main categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The scores are then collated and totaled up to give a score out of 100. So how did Singapore become the most liveable city in Asia? Here are six reasons how the small island achieved this. 𝟏. 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 Education has always been a crucial investment for Singaporeans. The main factors for Singapore’s rise to the title were impressive and consistent improvements in its world-renowned education system, attaining a perfect score for the first time from the EIU. From the onset of their education, children are subjected to a strong culture of academic competitiveness that pushes students to excel in their studies. This is evident in how most parents invest hundreds of Singaporean dollars for extra tuition classes after school hours so that their children can improve in weak subjects or be well-prepared, especially when nearing national examinations. Singapore’s comprehensive curriculum framework complements this competitive culture. The EIU ranked the country as the best in effectively equipping their students with the necessary skills for future labor markets. Hence, it is an educational system that not only nurtures bright students and prepares them for exams, but also lays the groundwork for the younger generation to make a difference in the future workforce. The Philippines needs to realize the importance of this investment and fund its educational sector to upgrade public schools and revamp its curriculum to meet the needs of the younger generation. 𝟐. 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 Singapore is ranked as the second safest city in the whole world after Tokyo, according to EIU’s Safe Cities Index. Known to be a very disciplined and secured society, Singapore’s safety is one of its finest characteristics due to the lack of crime, military conflict, and civil unrest— undesirable events that take place in many countries. The lack of crime can be summed up in one observation: You can walk out on the streets at three in the morning without fear of getting kidnapped or mugged. Unlike other cities, Singapore’s ban on drugs, guns, and public alcoholic consumption restrictions after 10:30p.m. creates a safe city that easily attracts foreign investments. In the sphere of international relations, Singapore finds itself in a volatile geopolitical situation where terrorism is rife in nearby countries. Hence, it has built a military force to be reckoned with despite its small population. All able-bodied men who reach the age of 18 are required to go through two harsh years of National Service in order to train them for any deployment or mission even after they have finished their service. This essentially means that Singapore has a combat-ready citizen army that is ready for armed conflict. (Above) The Singapore Armed Forces deployed for an overseas exercise. (Left) Singaporean children begin to undergo rigorous academic training from a very young age, Singapore’s educational system not only nurtures bright students and prepares them for exams, but also lays the groundwork for the younger generation to make a difference in the future workforce. In the Philippines, security is lax compared to Singapore. Stricter laws with firm actions are needed to ensure discipline in our society. It is also the fierce poverty cycle that leads many to a life of crime. There is a lack of job opportunities in the country and more must be done to allow the poorest to change their lives for the better. 𝟑. 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 Singapore’s health care system ticks all the boxes for an effective and efficient structure. All workers until the age of 55 need to put 20% of their earnings into a Central Provident Fund (CPF) account, with a further 17% added by their employers. This account is further divided into three other accounts: one for housing, investment, and education; one for retirement; and the last one is for health care insurance. Affordable healthcare is accessible to everyone in Singapore. The government’s unique health care system is heavily reliant on the last account—Medisave. This helps to promote individual responsibility for one’s own health to avoid an over dependency on state welfare and third-party medical insurance. Due to this cost-sharing policy, basic healthcare becomes more affordable. The presence of private healthcare also challenges public services, creating a free market that fosters competition, which indefinitely brings greater quality of services for Singapore’s citizens. The same cannot be said of the Philippines, where good quality healthcare is only affordable to middle and upper class Filipinos who can pay for private health services. The public sector is often underfunded and its clinics lack resources and doctors to tend to poor families. As a result, the country has a high mortality rate and a number of issues that have yet to be solved to achieve a proper and stable healthcare system. 𝟒. 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 The Philippines has a lot to learn from Singapore when it comes to improving and cleaning our environment. Announced as the “Greenest City in Asia” by EIU’s Green City Index in 2016, it only takes a few days in Singapore’s streets to understand why. The public maintenance of the environment is admirable; you almost won’t find any trash lying on the streets or dirty streams full of garbage and muck. One reason for this is the law that bans any form of littering on public space. Should you be caught littering, you can be fined up to S$1,000 (P38,300) and forced to do community service as a deterrent for others who might wish to do the same. This rigid enforcement may seem illogical for some, but maintaining the cleanliness of the city thwarts any incident of diseases reaching epidemic levels in a small country like Singapore. Furthermore, most Singaporeans have a “clean as you go” attitude, which is an admirable trait so public cleaners do not have to go the extra mile just to keep amenities clean. Our country can adopt stricter environmental laws and improved maintenance of irrigation systems so as to improve the quality of living. It also needs to solve the mammoth task of relocating illegal settlements or “squatters.” 𝟓. 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 Just last year, Singapore was ranked No. 8 in the world at the Sustainable Cities Mobility Index by Arcadis, a global design and consultancy group. It considers indicators such as safety, ridership, congestion, delays, affordability, and more to grade the best transport systems. Singapore’s public transport system includes the Mass Railway Transport (MRT), LRT (Light Railway Transport), buses, and taxis. It’s hard to imagine that 25 years ago there was only a single MRT line operating in Singapore. Currently, there are five lines with over 119 stations and LRTs, trains that cover the small and crowded regions of Singapore. The beautiful thing about Singapore’s public transport is that it is so convenient. You can travel from one end of the country to another within an hour, with no complaints about the cleanliness of the trains and buses. In Manila, widespread traffic congestion is a common sight and its public transportation needs to be improved so Filipinos will use their cars less frequently. Bus services should also be nationalized and not run by numerous private companies. To build an effective transport system—its roads, highways, and public transportation—urban planning of congested cities needs to be top-notch. 𝟔. 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 Lastly, it is Singapore’s leadership that has transformed the country from a backward sea port to a thriving hub with a booming economy within half a decade. The first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, was an intelligent and visionary leader who knew the high stakes of driving Singapore’s independence, with the country’s future in the balance. He performed an economic miracle by galvanizing a nation with multi-racial and religious groups and developed a highly technocratic government that resolutely pushed for competitive, meritocratic, and results-based policies across all sectors. In one of his famous speeches, he said: “Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards.” Governance is not an easy task. There is so much to lose when a government does not serve the needs of its people. A bad example would be the corruption that is rife in Philippine politics. Until our leaders become exceptional in their duty to lead, our country will not be exceptional in how it is run. In conclusion, the most liveable country in Asia has proven itself by succeeding in almost every sector of the Global Liveability report. Its achievements in education, security, healthcare, infrastructure, and the environment were all possible due to outstanding leadership that allowed Singapore’s progress to be strong and steady. We, Filipinos, can learn so much from Singapore’s success story. There is so much hope in our country, especially since it’s filled with talented people who can change the world. But for now, we must take a combination of baby steps and giant leaps to improve our homeland, not for the sake of global indexes and for our reputation, but for the sake of our people. Click here to read full article for free

< Back A Pillar of Dignified Public Service BY GODFREY T. DANCEL I will give the best service that I can give to the people that I serve.” This is the guiding principle that has shaped the kind of service Quezon City 6th District Congresswoman Ma. Victoria “Marivic” Co-Pilar has given her constituents through her almost three decades of public service. Through those years, she has lived up to the tagline Marangal na Paglilingkod (Dignified Public Service), being a dignified leader doing her best to give back to her constituents. “Yung marangal na pinuno, pinagpipitaganan hindi lamang dahil sa kaniyang posisyon kung hindi dahil sa kaniyang mga nagawa at kontribusyon sa lipunan. Pinili ko yung Marangal na Paglilingkod dahil 'yun ang gusto kong ibigay na serbisyo sa tao, hindi lang basta-bastang serbisyo lang. Gusto kong ibigay yung pinakamarangal o pinakamabuting paglilingkod na maibibigay ko sa aking mga kadistrito. (A leader is looked up to not just because of their position but their projects and contributions to society. I chose Dignified Public Service because that is the kind of service I want to give the people that I serve. I want to give them the best service that I can give.)” STARTING YOUNG Co-Pilar became the top kagawad (councilwoman) of Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, in 1994. By then the 19-year-old neophyte community leader was still studying Legal Management at De La Salle University. Joining politics was not really in Co-Pilar’s plans. “I did not expect to be a public servant since all my family members were in business,” she reveals. “Up to now, I am the only one in the [Co] family who is in public service.” The well-loved leader points to an event that lit the flame of wanting to carry on in the field of public service in her. She recalls a demolition operation in Pasong Tamo where affected residents fiercely fought for their right to keep their houses. Despite the residents’ efforts to stop the demolition team and their police escorts, they lost their houses. “There was this child tugging at his mother’s skirt,” CoPilar recalls, “asking her whether he will be able to go to school the next day, where they will spend the night, what they will do as they had lost their house. The child’s father, crying in desperation, was hitting a tree with his bolo knife. At that moment, I knew that I needed to do something to help them and people like them,” she relates. The young leader went on to become Pasong Tamo’s youngest barangay chairperson, holding the position for three terms spanning 13 years. With her reputation as a grounded leader who delivers on her promises, Co-Pilar made it to the city council as one of the district’s councilors. Simultaneous with her early years as public servant, she continued to pursue her education. After finishing her degree in Legal Management, she took up Public Administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman and Law at the San Sebastian College Institute of Law. Mixing theory with actual practice, Co-Pilar became even more adept at local administration and legislation. SIMULTANEOUS WITH HER EARLY YEARS AS PUBLIC SERVANT, CO-PILAR CONTINUED TO PURSUE HER EDUCATION. MIXING THEORY WITH ACTUAL PRACTICE, SHE BECAME EVEN MORE ADEPT AT LOCAL ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION. FROM LOCAL TO NATIONAL With her second term as councilor about to end in 2022, an opportunity to serve her district in another capacity came about. The congressional seat was to be vacated by the termlimited Congressman Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte. The same desire to bring about relevant change—this time not just to her district constituents but even to similarly situated communities in other parts of the country—led CoPilar to join the congressional race in Quezon City’s thirdmost populous district. Although pitted against two former members of Congress, both with deep political roots, Co-Pilar knew she stood a real chance of making it to Batasan. After all, her exemplary record of public service was her main campaign material. In the end, the grateful electorate of the district chose CoPilar to represent them in the 19th Congress. Hers is a clear mandate, having garnered 60 percent of the votes cast. The neophyte congresswoman points to two factors that somewhat affected her transition from being a local lawmaker to national legislator. First, there is a big difference in the size of the QC Council and Congress. With over 300 members, the latter is almost nine times bigger than the QC Council. “It takes time to familiarize myself with the other members, get to know them [and their style of working],” Co-Pilar shares. Second, the lawmaking process at the national level is much more complicated and takes a longer time compared to local legislation. For instance, deliberations take much longer, approved bills have to be elevated to the Senate, and bicameral meetings have to be done in case of differences in the two chambers’ approved versions. LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS Despite the above, however, Co-Pilar has lived up to expectations. In her first year as congresswoman, she became involved in 139 legislative measures, with 129 as principal author. These cover 103 bills of national importance, 24 bills of local importance, and 12 resolutions. House Bill (HB) 6608, of which she was a principal author, has been enacted into law as Republic Act (RA) No. 11954 or the Maharlika Investment Fund Act. More of her co-authored bills are expected to be signed into law soon. Among the bills she has filed and considers closest to her heart are those relating to disaster resilience, cancer treatment and research; care for the elderly; and provision of affordable housing. HB 2803, or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act, aims to establish a department that will take the lead in mobilization and intervention during times of disaster. The bill puts forward a comprehensive framework for disaster management, which includes the use of modern technology to forecast disasters and help the people to prepare for such. Said framework involves holistic and properly coordinated intervention by the national government, local government units, local communities, and the private sector. “Dapat, upgraded na 'yung ating mga kagamitan sa pag-monitor at pagtugon sa mga disaster tulad ng bagyo at pagbaha. At naniniwala ako na kaya na natin ngayon (We need upgraded facilities for monitoring and responding to disasters like typhoons and flooding. And I believe that we are capable of such right now),” she declares. HB 2802 or the National Cancer Research Institute of the Philippines Bill seeks to create the National Cancer Research and Treatment Institute of the Philippines, which shall construct, maintain, and operate specialized institutions meant for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer as well as the care and rehabilitation of cancer patients. Said institution shall also promote medical and scientific research with regard to the prevention and treatment of cancer, as well as assist higher education institutions, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies related to cancer. “This bill is close to my heart because my father died of cancer, and I am a cancer survivor,” Co-Pilar reveals. She points to the growing number of cancer cases and the inability of ordinary citizens to afford treatment. “Many cancer patients aren’t able to get the treatment they deserve. They do not seek treatment because of lack of finances. Hospitals even turn them away. Meanwhile, if we have hospitals that could accommodate them, they will be taken care of and given a new lease on life.” Meanwhile, HB 7448 or the proposed Senior Citizen Care Act aims to provide proper care for another vulnerable sector of society. Co-Pilar points to an inevitable fact: All of us are going to get old and we will need the assistance of and proper care, not only from our family members but also from the community and all levels of government. The bill, in general, seeks to promote the physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of senior citizens and to ensure their protection and safety. It provides for, among others, programs to reconnect abandoned, neglected, frail, abused, or exploited senior citizens with their nearest relatives; establishment of a nursing home for abandoned and homeless senior citizens in every municipality or city; and the establishment of community care facilities manned by volunteers. The nursing homes and community care centers shall provide those under their care with basic needs, like comfortable living quarters, adequate and nutritious food, health care, as well as recreation activities, counselling, literacy education, and cultural activities. A staunch advocate of providing Filipinos affordable yet decent housing, Co-Pilar has filed a number of pertinent bills. Among these are HB 1238 and HB 05. HB 1238 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Bill aims to provide informal settler families (ISF) social protection and support in accessing the formal housing market. This option shall be made available for ISFs displaced by natural or man-made disasters. Eligible ISFs will receive a rental subsidy, the rate of which shall be determined by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National and Economic Development Authority (NEDA) after considering the prevailing minimum wage and rental rates. Meanwhile, HB 05 seeks to amend RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, providing for a clear local government unit-led resettlement program for ISFs. Under said bill, off-city resettlement shall be resorted to only when on-site, in-city, or near-city relocation is not feasible. Proper consultation prior to relocation and provision of livelihood opportunities as well as other social services shall also be made mandatory. The vice chairperson of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development is confident that the two measures, once enacted into law, will help solve the country’s housing problem. In all, the above-mentioned bills and Co-Pilar’s other legislative measures seek to provide Filipinos with opportunities to enjoy a life of safety and dignity. TRANSFORMATION Complementing Co-Pilar’s legislative efforts are her various projects in her district. In her first year as congresswoman, she was able to allocate almost Php1.5 billion in infrastructure projects. This amount covers the rehabilitation of more than 100 kilometers of roads, erection of 17 multi-purpose buildings to house disaster operation centers, construction of five major flood control structures, and a housing project in Barangay Baesa. Opening this year is the district’s first madrasah or school for Muslim learners. The learning center will offer specialized curricula from memorizing the Qur’an through reading, reciting, and writing; up to higher studies in Islamic theology. Soon to rise in Barangay Sauyo is the 6th District’s first Kabahagi Center for Children with Disability. The center will provide free healthcare, empowerment and livelihood services for children with disability. Their family members will also benefit through hands-on therapy training, community engagement activities as well as livelihood and skills training. The project is part of Co-Pilar’s efforts to help provide persons with disability equal access to opportunities, rights, and privileges as other Filipinos, in line with the vision of Quezon City being a place where inclusivity, sustainability, empowerment, and people participation are a way of life. The congresswoman’s biggest infrastructure project so far is the Tandang Sora Hospital and Medical Center, which is envisioned to be a premier hospital providing state of the art medical care not only to residents of the 6th District but for all QCitizens. Beyond the obvious physical transformation of the district, however, is the continued flow of assistance in various forms. In cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the congresswoman’s office has facilitated medical assistance and vaccination services to almost 15,000 patients. Still in coordination with the DSWD, 20,000 individuals in crisis situations have been given assistance. Almost a thousand beneficiaries were given assistance in availing of scholarship benefits under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program, while more than 800 students were given educational assistance by the lady legislator’s office. Meanwhile, more than 5,000 residents were given assistance in availing of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program. Thousands of tricycle drivers and hundreds of solo parents were also given financial assistance to help them make ends meet. RECOGNITION & AFFIRMATION Co-Pilar’s performance as a member of Congress has not gone unnoticed. In its June 25 to July 5, 2023 nationwide Boses ng Bayan survey, RPMission and Development (RPMD) Foundation found the neophyte solon at second spot, with a performance rating of 93.22 percent. This put her in a statistical tie with seven other district representatives from all over the country. The survey asked constituents to rate their district representatives based on ability to act and speak on their behalf; performance in pushing for pieces of legislation; and ability to provide different services to constituents. She also emerged as a top performing legislator for the National Capital Region (NCR) in the RPMD survey conducted from September 20 to 30, 2023, garnering a job performance rating of 94.8 percent. Prior to this, she landed in a statistical tie for third place in the firm’s survey for the country’s best performing neophyte lawmakers held in the first quarter of the year. “I feel blessed,” Co-Pilar says in reaction to the affirmation of her work. “I feel grateful that even if I’m a neophyte, my work is noticed. My sincerity to serve the people is recognized. I feel so blessed by God because He gave me the chance and privilege to serve the people of my district as a congresswoman. With this, I will not waste any time and opportunity that I could be able to help and make a difference [not only for my district but for the whole country].” The recent survey results come as no surprise, as Co-Pilar had received accolades from various institutions during her time as councilor. Among the awards she received are the PAMANA (Pagkilala sa Mabuti at Natatanging Pilipino) Award as Huwarang Lingkod Publiko, Tandang Sora Leadership Excellence Award, and the DILG’s Excellence Award in Good Governance for NCR. Her survey performance and formal awards notwithstanding, Co-Pilar considers the continued support of the people of QC’s 6th District as the biggest and most heartwarming affirmation of her performance. She points to trust and credibility as the biggest factors for this. “Number one is credibility,” she declares. “When you talk about credibility, the people will judge and scrutinize you first. And all through the years since I was a kagawad, they know that when I say something, I will do it; that I’m sincere when I say I will help them and I will do something about their problem. That’s why every election, they vote for me because they trust me. They know they can depend on me.” PARTNERS IN GOOD GOVERNANCE It takes more than one government official to tackle a community’s concerns, and Co-Pilar is privileged to have familiar faces to help her out. Quezon City 6th District Councilor Emmanuel “Banjo” Pilar and Pasong Tamo Chairwoman Stephanie Tricia Co-Pilar serve as her co-pillars of good governance and genuine service. Konsi Banjo, who served as three-term chairperson of Barangay Pasong Tamo, has taken his Kidlat sa Serbisyo brand of leadership to the city council. He has proven his mettle in local legislation, aside from continuing to provide various services to his constituents. Kap Tricia, on the other hand, previously served as barangay kagawad and acting barangay chairperson before receiving an overwhelming mandate to lead the barangay. Her Tapat na Paglilingkod brand of leadership now benefits nnot just primarily the youth but all residents of Pasong Tamo. With Konsi Banjo and Kap Tricia also serving the district, CoPilar is confident that the 6th District is in good hands. “From the city council, Banjo can perform as a legislator and also provide the necessary projects for our district, and Trisha could take care of the barangay,” she says. “Barangay Pasong Tamo is my ‘baby.’ It is the biggest barangay in District 6. [Having Konsi Banjo and Kap Tricia is] important for me because I know I have somebody I love and I trust, who will also take care of the barangay that I love and cherish. With that, I am assured that there will be good governance and continued quality service not only in Barangay Pasong Tamo, but also in the 6th District through the coming years.” LOOKING FORWARD With a clear vision for the district, Co-Pilar sees the 6th District soon becoming the face of the northern part of the metropolis. “The district will be very progressive economically, with numerous business and job opportunities,” she says. “I see our district being fully developed in terms of infrastructure because of Congressional Avenue Extension, Mindanao Avenue Extension, and Visayas Avenue Extension, even C-5 Road. These major routes will bring in economic opportunities for us.” Co-Pilar sees not only business establishments but also homes rising in the district. “One of the main problems in the 6th District is housing. I intend to work with the local government and the national government to provide socialized housing for our constituents,” she shares. “Of course, I’m expecting that the first hospital for the 6th District will be completed before May 2025 as this is my main project for my first term,” she adds, again underscoring the need for affordable quality health care. “I hope to see Tandang Sora Hospital and Medical Center being operational before my first term ends.” Guided by the same principles that have guided her from her time as kagawad to her stint as city councilor, Co-Pilar is expected to continue bringing about principled service to her constituents. “Never believe in the impossible,” she says. “Even if a project seems hard, you have to try your best to achieve it. Second, [optimism must be accompanied by] hard work and determination as these will help you achieve what is good for your constituents. Third, be brave. I always speak my mind and I think people love me for being very authentic and not sugarcoating things. I say what I feel and I mean what I say. My constituents love me more because they know I will not play politics but tell them the truth so that I could go ahead and give them the principled service they deserve,” she ends.

< Back JOKES AND A JINGLE: SEXISM AND MISOGYNY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BY GODFREY T. DANCEL SEXISM AND MISOGYNY, ALREADY TOUCHY ISSUES IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE, REARED THEIR UGLY HEADS DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS. THE COMELEC AND THE PEOPLE REACTED BY FIRMLY SAYING “ENOUGH!” In the Philippines, the traditional election campaign often includes the Three Gs: guns, goons, and gold. To this list could be added a fourth G: girls. While guns and goons are used to intimidate, and gold to buy support, girls are often used for entertainment or as subjects of degrading jokes. Women’s rights advocate Gabriela Women’s Party may have a valid point in its suggestion to add a fourth G. The run-up to the recently concluded midterm elections provided a clear glimpse of how some candidates—intentionally or otherwise—could use sexist and misogynistic behavior to court votes. Simply put, sexism is the belief that one sex is superior to another. This gender-based discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping is most often expressed toward women and girls. On the other hand, misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or disregard for women or girls. It involves hostile attitude toward women based on the belief that they are inferior to men. Sexism and Misogyny on the Campaign Trail SINGLE WHAT? In early April, Pasig City congressional candidate Christian Sia joked that he was willing to sleep once a year with single mothers who are “still menstruating.” An uploaded video clip of the candidate making said statement quickly went viral, opening a floodgate of negative comments. Sia initially blamed the video uploader and his political opponents for blowing the issue out of proportion. The joke in question, he said, was simply meant to liven up the crowd. He explained that the joke came about after a previous meeting with solo parents. He had used it in other gatherings before the sortie where the video was taken, and that his audiences did not seem offended, leading him to assume that such kind of joke is okay. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), however, disagreed. In an official statement, the commission stressed that “[p]ublic platforms must not be used to normalize sexist humor or reinforce harmful stereotypes under the guise of entertainment.” The PCW is the country’s policymaking, advisory, and coordinating body focusing on the development of gender-responsive policies and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Gabriela flagged Sia’s joke even as the group noted that it was not the first incident of women being “subjected to displays of machismo and misogynistic remarks from candidates who believe such behavior will win them votes.” For its part, election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting reminded candidates to set good examples by being the first to uphold gender-related laws such as the Safe Spaces Act and Magna Carta for Women. Sia apologized for his joke, recognizing that he had gone too far and that “the things that single mothers go through [are] not a joking matter.” Sia was eventually disqualified by the Comelec’s Second Division days before the election. BEAUTIFUL NURSES ONLY? On the same day as Sia’s misstep, reelectionist Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia made headlines after talking about his nursing scholarship program that is available “only for beautiful women… because if a male patient is already weak and an ugly nurse attends to him, his condition could worsen.” A video clip of the candidate’s speech was uploaded by a young voter, who described it as sexist. Baguio-based nurse and journalist Mia Magdalena Fokno described Unabia’s statement as “not just sexist” but also “medically unsound and ethically wrong.” “Saying nursing scholarships should be for ‘beautiful women only’ turns a noble profession into a beauty contest,” she lamented. “Nursing is not about looks. It’s about skill, compassion, and courage.” Noting how “Unabia’s words insult women, erase men, and reduce patients to shallow stereotypes,” Fokno called on others to correct the distorted view “by calling it out and by pushing for leaders who respect the dignity of work, not the illusion of beauty. We owe it to future nurses to create a culture that values competence over appearances.” Comelec issued a show cause order against the governor for violating Comelec Resolution No. 1116. The poll body also reiterated that “sexist remarks and gender discrimination have no place in a civilized society.” It eventually sought to disqualify Unabia for his sexist statement. WANT SOME COOKIES? Male candidates did not have a monopoly of supposed misogyny, sexism, and related acts during the campaign. Manila city council bet Mocha Uson was asked by Comelec to clarify the sexually suggestive tone of her campaign jingle. This came about due to Uson’s jingle and spiels that mention in part, “Ang cookie ni Mocha, ang sarap sarap” and “ang cookie ni Mocha para sa pagbabago.” The jingle references a cookie business Uson put up more than a decade ago, the profits from which eventually covered the medical bills of her baker who had been stricken with cancer. However, with cookie rhyming with the Filipino term for the female genitalia, and given Uson’s sexy image as an entertainer, it was easy to conjure a sexually-suggestive message from the jingle. With this, Comelec noted that “puns and double meanings may be used as literary devices in campaigns, but we hope that these are not used… to skirt the line between accepted speech and obscenity.” The letter also reminded Uson of the importance of “serious discussions… about policy, governance, and the future of communities” that she as a candidate needs to have; something that “sexually suggestive elements” in her campaign could muddle. Gabriela also criticized Uson, accusing her of perpetuating the “pattern of misogyny and objectification of women.” Gabriela leaders stressed the need for candidates to give women, children, and members of the LGBTQAI+ community the proper attention they need, and not to “use women’s bodies to gain attention.” Faced with the negative feedback, Uson took a path different from the male candidates previously issued show cause orders (SCO) by Comelec. In a letter to the poll body, she recognized “the importance of maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and age-appropriate tone in all campaign communications.” She also stated that she had ordered her team to immediately stop using the jingle and related materials in her campaign and that a review of her campaign materials was being done in order to align such with “the standards of decency and appropriateness expected in public discourse and electoral engagement.” NOTHING NEW, NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS The use of sexist and misogynistic statements or attacks on candidates is not a new phenomenon in Philippine politics. Arguably one of the most controversial cases of election related sexism happened in 1986, with then-presidential candidate Cory Aquino being described as “just a woman” whose place was in the bedroom and not in the corridors of governmental power. Originating from her political rivals, this description of Aquino soon echoed throughout the country, used just as often as the criticism that she had no political experience. Aquino had a simple yet effective answer: “May the better woman win in this election.” The 2022 elections saw then-Vice President Leni Robredo, the lone female candidate for the country’s top post, having to deal with patriarchal norms of leadership. Was she strong enough to be president? Did she have the assertiveness, decisiveness, and competitiveness that the male candidates have? To these, Robredo—just like Aquino—had a simple yet powerful answer: “The best man for the job is a woman.” The gender-based criticism of Robredo had to be borne by her supporters. They had to stress that voters need to look at her track record and leadership capabilities rather than what she purportedly could not do because she is a woman. Female Kakampinks themselves had to endure sexist and misogynistic remarks especially in the bailiwicks of certain presidential candidates. Aside from inter-group incidents, intra-group sexism, misogyny, and related act such as homophobia and improper behavior have hounded some groups across the country. A former key cog in a successful volunteer group in the northern part of the country says that there were instances of sexism and even sexual abuse committed by “younger volunteers” toward their fellow volunteers during the 2022 campaign. The inaction of the group’s leadership regarding the matter, the source said, was among the reasons she left the group. Pressed for comment, a leader of the group vehemently denied the allegations. “No one came to me to complain about any [sexism and] sexual abuse issues within the group. Otherwise, we would have acted on it.” That allegations of sexism could be used to justify an unceremonious exit from a group, and weaponize the matter to cast doubt on such group, shows just how big an issue sexism could become. A CULTURE OF MISOGYNY That two of the country’s seven presidents since 1986 are female is often mentioned as proof of considerable success in closing the gender gap. The truth, however, is that males still lord it over females when it comes to politics. And when political leaders normalize sexist and misogynistic language and behavior, the people become quite desensitized to such. Recent surveys show that there is indeed a prevailing culture of misogyny in the Philippines. In fact, the figures presented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the latest World Values Survey (WVS) are nothing but alarming. According to the UNDP’s Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI), nine out of ten (99.50 percent) Filipinos hold at least one form of bias against women. Broken down by dimension, 77.81 percent of Filipinos have economic bias against women, 75.50 have political bias against women, while 43. 61 percent have educational bias against women. This places the Philippines in tenth place out of 91 countries covered by the GSNI, just .42 percentage points better than Tajikistan, which topped the index. The top ten tag, however, is nothing to be proud of: the higher the GSNI value, the more biased are the citizens of a country. For comparison, the index’s lowest three—the United Kingdom, Sweden, and New Zealand—all have sub-30 percent index scores. Drawn from data covering the period 2005-2022, the GSNI also reveals that in general, biases against women hold across regions, cultures, as well as income and development levels. Meanwhile, the WVS Round 7, covering the years 2017 2022, shows that more than half of Filipinos agree/strongly agree that men make better political leaders than women do. Meanwhile, four out of ten Filipinos agree/strongly agree that men make better business executives than women do. The above, coupled with the seemingly permissive attitude that some Filipinos have taken toward public officials’ misogynistic, sexist, and homophobic statements in the past few years, seem to have emboldened politicians to include remarks of the same nature in their campaign speeches and spiels. NOT JUST NEGATIVE REACTIONS The way those who were involved in incidents of alleged sexism and misogyny reacted before and after they were given SCOs is worth noting. Sia and Unabia reacted in a similar negative manner, f irst blaming the video uploader and then putting some of the blame on their political opponents. Uson, on the other hand, became a bright spot in the sexism, misogyny, and improper language issue. By owning up to her mistake, agreeing with the Comelec on the need for respectful and age-appropriate language, and informing the body of her planned course of action, she showed some traits of a good public servant. These include welcoming feedback, acting on a concern, and coming up with a clear plan to prevent an issue from happening again. The reactions from various individuals and groups is also quite encouraging. Candidates, lawmakers and other government officials, as well as members of cause-oriented groups were one in condemning sexism and misogyny and calling on all candidates to do better. For its part, the PCW commended the Comelec for its swift action on Sia, noting that offensive remarks against solo mothers have “no place in public discourse, particularly during election periods.” The commission also acknowledged the public’s watchfulness and active involvement in exposing and reporting cases of sexism, misogyny, and other acts violative of campaign rules. Such “collective vigilance,” the PCW said, “signals a significant shift toward fostering a culture of respect and equality, where harmful gender stereotypes and discrimination are actively challenged.” Some groups, however, did not stop at calling out those involved in sexism and misogyny. For instance, Solo Parents Party-list urged the Comelec to disqualify Sia for his “offensive and harmful” statements. The partylist group’s spokesperson stressed that “statements that demean solo parents and perpetuate misogyny have no place in Philippine politics.” Meanwhile, the disqualification case filed by Comelec’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections against Unabia was received positively by a number of groups. Gabriela also welcomed the case, describing it as a “crucial step in holding candidates and officials accountable for perpetuating sexism and misogyny.” DO WE NEED STRICTER RULES AND LAWS? In February 2025, Comelec issued Resolution 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 Elections. The resolution, among others, directs candidates to refrain from making derogatory statements against women, indigenous peoples, persons with disability, people living with HIV/AIDS, and members of other marginalized sectors of society. The resolution also mandates candidates to uphold equality and respect for all individuals. Following the much-talked about cases of sexism and misogyny, Comelec issued Resolution No. 11127 in early April to supplement Resolution No. 11116. The resolution declares all election-related events and venues as safe spaces. It also prohibits the use of foul language in the campaign. The Comelec’s swift action on sexism, misogyny, as well as discrimination and related actions during the campaign has sent a clear signal that the poll body is serious on making election-related events as safe spaces. Lessons learned from the just-concluded campaign and elections are sure to lead to more relevant rules in future poll activities. That there are also legislative proposals to deal with similar or related incidents is a positive indication that sexism and misogyny in the context of elections and public service could soon be dealt with more strongly. Gabriela, for instance, has filed a bill seeking to make the use of degrading and discriminatory statements against women as a ground for disqualification of candidates. Meanwhile, a bill filed last year seeks to impose stricter penalties for public officials involved in misogynistic and homophobic behavior. In the end, the public’s heightened awareness about the nature and ill effects of sexism and misogyny will be a game-changer. Coupled with better implementation of stricter rules, this could help lead to elections where track record and platforms, rather than sexist jokes and misogynistic behavior, take center stage.

< Back A LEADER WHO WALKS THE TALK BY ROSY MINA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA JR. Barangay Chairperson Roxas is a leader who commands and directs by example; espousing a credible and generous brand of leadership. It’s 6:30 in the morning, just over an hour after sunrise. While most barangay chairpersons are about to get their day started, Alfredo “Freddy” Roxas is already at the Barangay Kaligayahan Hall in Quezon City—a routine for the second-term chairman. “When it comes to leadership, you should set a very good example. Kailangang ipakita mo kung ano ‘yung gusto mong maging direction sa mga tao (It is necessary that you show the people the direction you want to take),” Roxas tells LEAGUE. He gestures to the table where he takes his breakfast daily, sharing that such practice began when he was working in his family’s school that caters to preschool up to college students.\ He confesses to being late a few times, arriving at 7 a.m., which is still earlier than the usual start of office hours. Because of this, his employees have become time-conscious as well. “Napasunod ko sila hindi dahil sa sinasabi ko. Napasunod ko sila dahil ginagawa ko (I was able to make them do the same not because I told them to. They followed what I do).” RELUCTANT CANDIDATE Roxas, 58, was born to a business-minded family in Tondo, Manila. He himself got into small ventures before putting up their school. Since the 1990s, Roxas and his family have been giving grocery packs to residents near the school every Christmas. It was because of this holiday gift-giving that Roxas became known in the neighborhood, prompting residents to ask if he wanted to be their barangay chairperson. That was more than two decades ago, and his answer was a resounding no. “Walang pulitiko sa pamilya eh (There were no politicians in the family),” reasons the BS Mathematics graduate. “Until such time na kakakulit, kakakulit (that with persistent prompting), I tried to run for the barangay chairperson position in 2007. Wala, hindi nga ako interesado, talo ako (Since I was not really interested, I lost) by more than a hundred votes,” Roxas laments. He ran again in 2010, after much prompting, and lost because his interest remained half-hearted and his family was not for it. In 2013, it was third time’s the charm when he said to himself that he wanted to prevail, and he finally won. THE TURNAROUND What changed Roxas’ mind after all those years of shunning politics? “Hinahanap ko na ‘yung pag-iikot ko sa area. Hinahanap ko na ‘yung makapag-serve sa kanila (I was already longing for the experience of going around the area. I was longing for the chance to be able to serve them),” he reveals. The possibility of helping more people with government funds encouraged Roxas to give it another shot, especially since he had experienced many hardships since childhood. “Lahat ng hirap, struggles sa buhay, inabot namin. But then ‘yung sipag, tiyaga ng grandparents, parents ko, ‘yun ang nagmotivate sa buong family na magsikap talaga (We experienced all sorts of hardships and struggles in life. But then the diligence and perseverance of my grandparents and parents motivated the whole family to strive hard),” he says about growing up in a depressed area in Tondo. “So don’t give up. Habang buhay tayo ay may pag-asa. Importante lang huwag ka mang apak ng kapwa mo. Araw-araw basta nagsisikap ka, darating din ‘yan (For as long as we live, there is hope. What is important is that you don’t aggravate your neighbor. As long as you are striving every day, you will get where you want to be).” Because of his life story, his advocacies involve prioritizing and providing assistance for those in depressed areas as well as senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), and solo parents. A HALL OF FAMER SO SOON Roxas relates that he promised his constituents, “Ipagmamalaki nilang tagaBarangay Kaligayahan sila. Kasi sa city, hindi naman kilala ang Barangay Kaligayahan kasi wala namang awards na nakukuha (They will be proud that they are from Barangay Kaligayahan. Because Barangay Kaligayahan is not well-known in the city as it had not received awards).” In his first term, he thrice received the Dangal ng Lungsod Award—the highest recognition given to a well-performing barangay by the local government of Quezon City and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In 2020, during his second term—which he won via landslide victory—he was declared a Dangal ng Lungsod Hall of Famer for winning the award for three consecutive years. He notes that out of the 142 barangays in Quezon City, only five are Dangal ng Lungsod Hall of Famers, with the other four having achieved it after their respective chairpersons were already in office for more than a decade. “Kapag meron akong pinasok, gusto ko maging achiever. Gusto ko maging performer. Hands-on talaga ako, nakatutok ako lagi. Kahit noong nasa sales pa ako, kapag talagang ginusto ko maging topnotcher, talagang tinututukan ko nang husto (Once I get involved in something, I want to be an achiever. I want to be a performer. I am really hands-on and always focused. Even when I was in sales, when I really wanted to be a topnotcher, I really focused well on it).” Roxas became the Quezon City Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) President in 2018, which is a great achievement for him because he earned the trust of chairpersons from districts that have more barangays than District 5, which only has 14. With several job titles, including chairperson of the Committee on Barangay Affairs, Roxas juggles his responsibilities to accomplish more aside from implementing livelihood and support projects. Among his accomplishments are the quarterly LnB Consultative Assemblies, Barangay Anti-Crime Patrol Group, institutionalization of the barangay public safety officers, and provision of LnB medical and hospitalization cash incentives or reimbursements. “Yun ang binago ko, ‘yung image talaga ng barangay (I changed the image of the barangay),” declares Roxas, who paved the way for the construction of facilities and buildings in Barangay Kaligayahan and installation of solar panel LED street lights and 185 closed circuit television (CCTV) units, with plans to add 20 more. PASSION TO SERVE Roxas may have made it look easy to achieve a lot in such a short time, but it is definitely not a walk in the park. “24/7 kasi ang role ng barangay chairperson. Wala ka talagang pahinga. Kung talagang nasa puso ‘yung pagiging kapitan, 24/7 ‘yan (The role of a barangay chairperson is 24/7. You don’t really have time to rest. If being chairperson is really in your heart, it is a 24/7 commitment).” Before he sleeps, he would monitor developments in his barangay over the radio and give orders to contact him when something happens. “Ayokong may lalabas na problema diyan na hindi ko alam, ‘yung sasabog na lang sa mukha ko. Doon nila ako nakikitang magalit. Huwag kayong magtatakipan. Dahil mas maganda, may problema, sa umpisa palang inaayos na natin (I don’t like it when a problem arises and I am kept in the dark about it. It will just explode in my face. That is when they see me get angry. Don’t cover up one another’s mistakes. Because it is better to nip a problem in the bud).” Despite the demands of his job, what keeps him going is the passion to serve and set a good example for his employees and constituents. “‘Pag ‘yung tao dumating sa iyong umiiyak o kaya nakasimangot dahil sa problema, at umalis sa iyong nakangiti na gumaan ‘yung buhay, ‘yun ang nagpapasaya sa akin. ‘Yun ang nagmo-motivate sa akin (When a person comes and he is crying or frowning because of a problem, and leaves smiling because his life was made better, that is what makes me happy. That is what motivates me).” PANDEMIC CHALLENGES AND REALIZATIONS Looking back on his political career, Roxas cites the Dangal ng Lungsod Hall of Fame and serving during the COVID-19 pandemic as his most memorable moments. He shares anecdotes on the pandemic from the barangay chairpersons’ perspective. “Nag-iiyakan ‘yun kasi sa hirap ng problema, sa dami ng problemang inaabot ng barangay (They were crying because of the gravity of the problems, the many problems that the barangay had to deal with),” he says, adding that they had to deal with providing ayuda (assistance) every day from the barangay, city, and national government. Aside from finding ways to efficiently provide financial and material assistance, barangays also had to repack grocery items, set up checkpoints, monitor patients and hotspots, and man the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs). As the pandemic was unprecedented, it was tricky and risky to go about it. He says it was difficult to reconcile the government’s goal to minimize the spread of the virus with the public’s need to go out and make a living. With the pandemic still ongoing albeit currently on the downtrend, Roxas hails the barangay employees as selfless public servants. He sadly shares that several barangay chairpersons and kagawads (barangay councilmen) have passed away due to COVID-19, and many have contracted the virus. Fortunately he has not been infected, but has been isolated from his family for almost two years because of the nature of his job. “Hindi nagpasarap mga kapitan natin. Frontliners talaga ang barangay [officials] (Our chairpersons did not have a good time. Barangay officials are really frontliners),” he remarks. “Bigayan ng ayuda, wala kaming pakialam kung may COVID-19 ‘yung dadalhan namin. Dire-diretso lang kami (When we give out assistance, we do not care if the recipients have COVID-19. We just go straight ahead).” NO PLACE FOR GREED IN PUBLIC SERVICE Even before and during the pandemic, Roxas makes known that his accomplishments are fruits of cooperation. “Team effort ‘yan, lahat ng empleyado ng barangay (That is a team effort, all of the barangay employees). From the barangay captain down to the street sweepers. Kahit na street sweepers ko, may contribution sa lahat ng awards namin. Sa lahat ng trabaho namin, kasama sila (Even my street sweepers have a contribution to all of our awards. In all our work, they are with us).” On a personal note, Roxas opens up about not making it in this year’s electoral race for seats in the city council. Despite this, he carries on with demonstrating fidelity to duty. The day after the May 9 elections, Roxas was back in the barangay hall at 6:30 a.m. “Kaysa magmukmok ako sa bahay (Instead of moping at home),” he shares, “Trabaho na lang ako. ‘Yun ang ginawa ko (I just worked. That’s what I did).” He accepts the limitations of his term, and continues to wish for greater prosperity for Barangay Kaligayahan. “Ayaw ko ring sabihin na gusto ko ako ‘yung magaling lang na kapitan ng barangay. Gusto ko ‘yung susunod sa akin maging mas magaling (I do not want to say that I want myself to be the only good chairperson of the barangay. I want my successor to be better than me).” Apart from being credible, Roxas brand of leadership is also generous. “Sa public service, hindi ka kailangang greedy. Kailangan diyan sa public service, gusto mo marami kang kasamang magagaling (In public service, you should not be greedy. What is needed in public service is that you want to be surrounded by great colleagues),” he asserts. “Dahil kapag marami kayong magagaling, magiging madali ang trabaho at maraming taong makikinabang (Because when a lot of public servants are great, the work will be easier and more people will benefit from it),” he ends.

BACK GEN. GUILLERMO ELEAZAR Gen. Guillermo Eleazar is striving to clean the system before he leaves his post as PNP Chief. BY HELEN HERNANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANUEL GENEROSO L eading the 220,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) force is no easy task. But despite having only six months to serve as its chief, General Guillermo Eleazar is determined to leave his mark. And instead of changing the system by applying institutional changes, Eleazar wants to focus on strictly implementing existing rules and laws. “All of the necessary policies, programs, and doctrines already exist. Every past PNP Chief thought of everything to further improve the force. Even with every new situation, there are revised memorandum circulars. Everything is in place, what needs improvement is enforcing them, especially those [rules] which people tend to overlook because of the system or perhaps, culture,” Eleazar stresses.

< Back COVID-19: The Viral Timeline The COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into a “new normal,” causing the global economy to plummet. It all began on December 31, 2019. What has happened since? BY GRACE BAUTISTA December 31, 2019 The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in China reported a pneumonia outbreak in Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus strain was then identified. January 4, 2020 The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that they have begun investigating the cluster outbreak cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China. There were 44 suspected cases. Most of the affected worked at the Huanan seafood market. January 22 to 23 Confirmed number of cases was at 580, according to China’s National Health Commission. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus decided not to declare the outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” yet. Wuhan shut down public transportation, including railway stations and airports. Other Chinese cities also went into lockdown and the Forbidden City was closed. Then, the 2019-nCoV was reported in Singapore and Vietnam, and the Philippines stopped accepting flights from Wuhan, China. January 24 to 27 Around 500 Chinese tourists in the Philippines were flown back to Wuhan, China. Fourteen people were under investigation in the Philippines for suspected coronavirus infection. More countries reported cases of 2019- nCoV: the United States of America, Nepal, Australia, France, Malaysia, Canada, Cambodia, Germany, and Sri Lanka. February 27 to 28 Ghebreyesus advised countries to act aggressively to contain the virus as the global risk of COVID-19 spread was raised to “very high” and 46 countries had reported cases. Click here to read full article for free

00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 < BACK LAL-LO MAYOR FLORENCE OLIVER PASCUAL Mayor Oliver Pascual reveals that despite criticisms and insults, he stays calm and patient. For him, bringing their town to new heights requires an approachable leadership style BY HELEN HERNANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO The 2022 Elections is drawing near and troll accounts have been very active in posting false accusations or defamatory remarks on social media. Nowadays, turning on the television also mostly means encountering heated political arguments with criticism that are mostly thinly-veiled insults. For incumbents like Mayor Oliver Pascual of Lal-lo, Cagayan, this chaotic circus isn’t really surprising at all. Thus, he always addresses such with calmness and patience. “Of course, criticisms really hurt, because whatever you do, there will always be complaints and critics will always exist. But I just keep in mind my father’s advice that I have to decide consistently for the good of the majority. Unceasingly bank on what is right and you will never go wrong” Mayor Pascual shares. However, the young mayor of Lal-lo is far from being closed off from hearing thoughts and ideas from his townspeople. He also shared that pre-pandemic, he’d been very active in joining celebrations in which he would often have comfortable and honest discussions with his constituents. “Mas nararamdaman ko yung sinasabi ng tao. They can easily say what they think—positive or negative. Sometimes, I hear their thoughts and feedbacks; their opinions over my ideas and projects. I usually take it as constructive criticism. Kung meron man silang sasabihin na hindi maganda about the administration, at least we can discuss it over a friendly conversation. If I see the point in their arguments, then I patiently listen and talk to them on how we can solve the matter that is being raised,” Pascual adds. Finding Balance Mayor Oliver comes from a family of politicians that have previously led the municipality—his great grandfather, former Mayor Lucilo Pascual; his grandfather, former Vice Mayor Inocencio Pascual; his father, and his mother former Mayor (incumbent Vice Mayor) Maria Olivia Pascual. Mayor Oliver admitted that his father, Lal-lo former Mayor Florante Pascual, does not concur with some of his ways of connecting with people. But Pascual is adamant on leading in his own way, distinct from his parents’ leadership style. “My dad is very traditional; he’s very calm and seldom gets angry. My mother on the other hand, was extremely strict. Kung baga sa principal, a terror one. Actually, they have opposing styles. When I entered politics, I promised to myself that I would try to find balance in their leadership styles” the young mayor shares. “Everyone knows that they can easily approach me with their problems, and if I can do something about it, I do immediately respond. Likewise, as a millennial, I am definitely open to alternative ways of solving difficulties. It’s okay to be guided ‘by the book,’ as long as it does not limit me from hearing other perceptions. No matter what style, I want to make a difference. Despite this, the young mayor knows how to pay respect to his parents by constantly consulting them on his decisions. And whenever they give him their vote of confidence and acknowledge his growth as public servant, he admits that he’s delighted. While they are openly supportive of him now, Pascual shares that it wasn’t always the case, because his parents kept their distance when he first thought of entering politics. Pascual was studying in Manila when his father became the town’s mayor in 2001. He had witnessed his father’s compassion to serve his people and the ideals of progress he had for their town. These eventually drove him to return home. After finishing my secondary education, I studied in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila (PLM) and took up engineering because my dad was into the construction business. However, I was halfhearted with my studies; I wanted to be like my dad, a Certified Public Accountant,” he reveals. After three semesters, Pascual decided to transfer to the Philippine School of Business Administration where he studied for two semesters. After which, he decided to go back to Cagayan and transfer to Lyceum of Aparri to finish his degree in Accountancy. Going home had led him to run for a position in public office as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman. However, the law was then amended and unfortunately, the age limit was lowered to 18 years old. As a 21-year-old, he was no longer qualified, but he patiently waited a couple of years to run for barangay captain instead. When the young mayor told his parents about his decision, they both challenged him to campaign alone. His mother was the Lal-lo mayor that time. “They didn’t tell me, ‘Go ahead and run we will help you’. No, that wasn’t the case. They told me, ‘If you really want to become a public servant, do it yourself. You have to prove that you really want to serve and you’re willing to work hard for it, not because your mother is the mayor and so was your father.’ After I filed my candidacy, my parents left for America. Honestly, I was so nervous back then. Nevertheless, I had mustered courage and ran—to prove myself, to prove that I really want to serve my people,” Pascual stresses. In 2007, he won as barangay captain of Bagumbayan, and eventually became the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay and ex-officio member of the city council. During this period, he as well obtained his master’s in Development Management and Governance at University of Makati. After two consecutive terms as barangay captain, he aimed for a higher position. He was then elected as vice mayor of Lal-lo in 2013 and 2016, then mayor in 2019. Pascual is definitely aware of his privilege, saying that the recognition of their name is an advantage but one that also comes with a price. He added that “During elections, we always expect [that] people will try to destroy our name and reputation. The last election was particularly challenging; we even had to file cases against our opponents.” Anyhow, he is still grateful that the election was still relatively peaceful. “Battle of Words” he says, but not a “bloody war.” Mayor Pascual also added that this is to be expected because Lalloqueños are peace-loving citizens. “It is just so disheartening that the latest election was particularly dirty. But thank God, nothing [dangerous] happened. As I always point out, when dealing with this kind of situation, we have to stay patient and calm in making decisions. Decisions made during outbursts of emotions will always lead to bigger problems,” Pascual emphasizes. When asked about what motivates him to continue his work, Pascual’s answer is simple—his passion to serve his people and solve their town’s problems. But as with any other job, there is always a sacrifice. For him, he has to sacrifice his time with his family since all of his five children are Manila-based. But because of the pandemic, his two children are staying with him and studying online. “Sacrificing your time is part of being a politician. I am just so grateful that my children are very understanding of the situation. Sometimes, they find the situation difficult, however, whenever they get to spend their vacation with me, they witnessed the work I do and they always tell me that they’re proud.” Pascual also revealed that some of his children have expressed their intentions to follow in his footsteps. For him, it’s the ultimate sign of respect—his children not only understand the importance of his work, but they also want to serve in the same manner. Now that they have shown interest, he wants to mold his children by letting them strive for their aspirations—in the same way his parents did. He said that he understood the intention behind his parents’ action back then, and wanted his children to learn beyond the lesson too. He further pointed out that “If you do not work hard for your position or dream, you will not appreciate it and you will not be as dedicated. Kapag pinaghirapan mo at ibinuhos mo ‘yung time and effort mo, you will enjoy every second of serving the people. You will surely have the passion and the heart to listen to your people and be driven enough to solve their problems, even personal ones.” As for his personal aspirations, he wishes to continue serving his town, Lal-lo. Further, he also shares that he has definite plans and projects in mind to continuously develop the municipality. Pascual also shares that someday he would like to run for higher office. “It would be hypocritical of me to deny that I don’t want to [run for higher office]. Politicians, whenever they feel like they’ve done their best in their jurisdiction, feel the need to do it on a bigger scale and help more people. And if I would be given the chance to do so, why not?” he says. Destined For Greatness The Municipality of Lal-lo was one of the first four cities in the Philippines and was established in 1581. It was formerly known as Ciudad de Nueva Segovia. As one of the first four cities in the Philippines, Lal-lo is determined to promote their town’s historical significance and restore its cityhood. In 2012, Pascual’s father started the town’s petition to restore its cityhood. He wasn’t alone in this endeavor, as the former 1st District of Cagayan Representative, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr. was also pushing for the same. Under the Local Government Code, municipalities must meet certain requirements—average annual income of at least Php100 million in the last two consecutive years and either a contiguous territory or land area of 100 square kilometers (certified by the Land Management Bureau) or a population of at least 150,000 people (certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority). This year, however, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading House Bill 8207 which revises the requirements. Under the bill, a municipality (or a cluster of barangays) may turn into a city if it has a population of at least 100,000 or a contiguous territory of 100 square kilometers. Having met either, the LGU must also generate a yearly income of Php250 million in the past two consecutive years, as certified by the Department of Finance. Nevertheless, there is another way. In the 1990s, both Naga City (Nueva Caceres) and Vigan City (Ciudad Fernandina) were converted into cities by applying for their historical rights. The town of Lal-lo hopes to achieve the same, once they find one basic requirement—an authentic historical document that proves their former city status. City or not, Lal-lo has always celebrated this historical event and was supposed to gear up for the town’s 440th Patronal Town Fiesta this 2021, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. They are also working on boosting and developing the town’s historical (and religious) tourist spots. Among the sites that they wish to promote are the Tocolana Ruins—a church and hospital that was destroyed during the world war; and the Shell Midden—a heap of various shells that have been studied for centuries since they are considered as cultural deposits. These middens often contain bone artifacts, food remains, and even ceramics. Pascual shares that the National Museum personnel have been digging in areas where those shell middens were located and they were able to retrieve artifacts, such as old pots. These historical relics were brought to Manila for safekeeping and for further study. Once Lal-lo is able to establish its own museum, the National Museum assures that they will provide replicas of the items. The original pieces must stay in Manila since Lal-lo doesn’t have the resources to maintain the fragile items. The young mayor believes it is alright since the goal is to preserve such delicate items and educate the public, which can be easily achieved through replicas. The people who live here, especially the children, should know the past of our town. Even at an early age, they should be taught about our culture and history. If we don’t ensure this passing on of knowledge, from generation to generation, time will come that the people will outgrow our history and eventually, it will be forgotten,” the mayor asserts. Apart from the historical sites, Lal-lo is also looking to boost its natural tourism destinations. Even during the pandemic, the local government has been pushing forward with its development with the hopes that local and international tourism will soon be restored, especially now that vaccines have been rolling out. The idealistic leader also endeavors to train local tour guides that will have in-depth knowledge of the town’s history and culture. Around three years ago, they first eased the people into knowing more about their past by launching a quiz bee during fiestas. With this, they have gathered potential guides who were already historically well-versed. While the pandemic has halted events, Mayor Oliver is hopeful that things will jumpstart again, when everything returns to normal. Lal-lo is also working on its infrastructure, such as river control projects. While the plan has clear benefits on minimizing flood damage during typhoon and rainy season, another goal is to create a place for locals and tourists to relax and have fun. “We requested funds for the river control project. This includes turning the place into a boulevard, like a boardwalk. People could utilize the place to bike, jog, children could play, and it could also be a performance ground,” Pascual shares as the team explores the site. “We are also planning on putting up a gazebo, wherein people could conduct photoshoots, have gatherings, and even weddings.” The municipality also has its own international airport which was inaugurated on August 18, 2019, during Mayor Oliver’s incumbency. The Cagayan North International Airport is located between the Barangays of San Mariano and Dagupan, and it has been built to support the Cagayan Special Economic Zone in conjunction with Port Irene which handles the seaborne traffic. Our Country’s Future Pascual is also focused on the holistic growth of their town’s youth and children. Aside from honing their historical knowledge, the young leader strongly encourages the [youth] to get into sports. He shares that before the pandemic, he used to join in local basketball games (liga) in order to bond with his fellow Lalloqueños. Under his father’s leadership (with him as the vice mayor) in 2018, they inaugurated the town’s multi-purpose gymnasium which seats up to 2,000 people. The mayor, who is an avid sportsman himself, wishes to get more children interested in trying out other types of sports, not just basketball (although the gym is fitted for that sport). “I’m really concentrating on the youth and getting them involved in sports. Because aside from the holistic development it may give, it’s also our way of supporting the national government’s efforts towards eradicating illegal drugs and discouraging the youth from using such,” he iterates. Pascual also envisions constructing an even larger stadium in town, which could someday host the Palarong Pambansa. It is another project in pursuit of the town’s goal of enhancing its growth potentials which is emphasized by their vision—Lal-lo Shines. It’s a four-in-one plan— encourage the kids to try sports; further develop town’s local athletes’ skills; bring tourism and business into the town when they host national (and even international) sports events; and lastly, keep people away from illegal drugs. Centuries ago, Miguel de Cervantes said, “Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.” With all the concrete plans and projects underway or ready to be unveiled, the Municipality of Lal-lo is simply biding its time during this pandemic. As the world trudges towards eradicating the virus, the town patiently waits for its chance at the limelight. With the leadership and guidance of Mayor Oliver Pascual, the town is surely prepared; Lal-lo is halfway to victory.