00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 < Back THE BIG LEAP Dreaming big is easy for Councilor Roderick Cabral who hopes that someday Nasugbu, Batangas (and even the Philippines) will be like where he lived before Europe. BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANUEL GENEROSO His third term as councilor of the Municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas is coming to an end this year, but Councilor Roderick Sapico Cabral has signified his intention to serve his constituents further. The public servant filed his candidacy as mayor of the first-class municipality in the 2022 elections. Cabral’s campaign is pillared on the hashtag #BagongNasugbu (New Nasugbu) that seeks to provide “Makabago at Napapanahong Pamumuno (Modern and Relevant Leadership),” according to his Facebook page. His running mate is fellow councilor Ayen Ramos Chuidian. Their party is promising to focus on the following (stylized with a “C” as both candidates’ last names end in the letter): Caunlaran (progress), Calusugan (health), Calicasan (environment), and Cabuhayan (livelihood). The Nasugbu-born Cabral is the fourth of the eight children of Corazon “Azon” Salamatin Sapico and the late Remiglo “Emmie” Cabingan Cabral Sr. “Mahirap ang pinagdaanan namin (What we went through was difficult),” he recalls. “Maagang nawala ang aking ama (My father passed away early on). I was 12 years old at that time and our youngest was only six months old. “As a housewife, my mother…hindi talaga madali pinagdaanan niya at namin. Kasi buhayin mo yung walong anak [nang] solo – walang pang 4Ps, wala pang mga solo parent benefits. Talagang sinikap niya na buhayin kami. Nagluto [siya] ng pangmerienda, lutong ulam. Kasama pa nga kami maglako ng merienda (What she and we went through was really not easy. She supported eight children and at that time, there was no 4Ps or solo-parent benefits yet. She really worked hard to support us. She sold snacks and cooked food. We would help with the selling).” Cabral and his siblings collected recyclables like used bottles and scrap metal, and sold bread to help their mother support the family. To this day, he says they remain grateful to God for letting them experience such hardships, as they were able to find hope and prove that it is possible to survive any challenge. The councilor’s interest in basketball—specifically his participation in inter-town competitions for Barangay 6 Poblacion and stint as a varsity player—gave him the opportunity to finish his studies. To earn more, Cabral also sidelined as a referee. When his wife got pregnant when he was in second year college, he stopped school and worked in fast food chains in Manila. “Nagtrabaho talaga para sa income kasi may baby na kami, tapos nag-aaral pa. Kaya ngayon na medyo nakakaranas tayo ng maayos na buhay, alam natin ang pinagdadaanan ng ilang kababayan natin na nandun sa stage ng kahirapan at konti ‘yung opportunity na nabibigay sa kanila. Iba yung maranasan mo ‘yung [paghihirap]. Madaling sabihin ‘yung salitang ‘mahirap’ pero iba ‘pag naranasan mo (I worked to earn for our baby and to support my studies. So, now that we are able to experience a better life, we know what our constituents who are poor and with limited opportunities are experiencing. It’s different to experience poverty firsthand. The word ‘poverty’ is easy to reference, but it’s different when you actually go through it),” he stresses. Cabral moved to Spain at the age of 26 in 2000, after being petitioned by his partner Alice’s mother. They lived in Spain and Switzerland and got married in 2008, after 10 years of being together. CABRAL SHARES THAT THE DOMINO EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO MANY SECTORS WAS EVIDENT IN NASUGBU. AND WHILE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT HIS ROLE AS COUNCILOR IS PRIMARILY LEGISLATIVE, HE FOUND WAYS TO HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC, EVEN WITHOUT ANY OFFICIAL BUDGET. They spent 12 years in Europe, where he says poverty is experienced only by a few. “The poor comprise a small percentage in Europe. The five percent who are poor are lazy. In Europe, the workers pay for social security. After working for six months and then they lose their jobs, they can apply for unemployment. You have a privilege of three months, I think, to receive [help] from the government. It’s hard to compare a Third World country to a First World country. But why did it become a Third World country? It has to do with the system of government,” he opines. Calling to Serve When Cabral and his family—this time along with only child Alexander—returned to the Philippines, they initially planned to start a business. That is until an invitation to run for councilor took him in a different direction. “Alam ko na medyo may iniwan tayong pangalan dahil sa basketball (I know that I left a name somehow because of my basketball career),” he says when asked about his chances during his first electoral race. “[As for the] challenges, dahil bago sa (since I am new to) public service, as municipal councilor, wala kang (I had no) legislative background, especially na nabigay sa akin yung (since what was assigned to me was the) Committee on Health so dun ko nalaman na kailangan natin talagang pag-aralan ang mga problema at ano ang kulang sa ating (that we have to study the problem and what is lacking in our) health sector.” The councilor acknowledges the pivotal role of experts like their Rural Health Unit Doctor Sarah Marquez, as well as other doctors, midwives, and medical personnel who gave input to his ordinances and programs. Throughout his three terms, Cabral implemented the Sagip Mata Program (Save Eyes Program); and provided canopies to tricycle drivers who also received medical and burial assistance, along with barangay health workers (BHWs). The councilor also distributed aneroid sphygmomanometers, a device that measures blood pressure, to 42 barangays. In terms of legislation, Cabral was instrumental in the enactment of the following ordinances: Tourism Ecological Fee, Araw ng mga Kabataan (Children’s Day), Araw ng mga BHW at BNS (Barangay Nutrition Scholar), and the Nasugbu Multi-Sectoral TB Control Alliance (MSA). Cabral says his mayoral campaign is focused on healthcare and education, and believes that the root cause of poverty is the country’s standardization law and implemented wages. Especially during the pandemic, he saw how unprepared his constituents were for their health-related needs. He wants to be able to offer free hospitalization and education if he is elected as mayor. Empowering barangays is also another priority for the public servant, who believes that implementation at the grassroots level is key to delivering services to the people. Cabral is also eyeing to build a bay walk, and open more mountain trails, hidden springs, and falls to boost tourism in Nasugbu and create more jobs. “I think I will be stricter in the implementation of our laws regarding environmental protection,” he underscores. “We need to protect the environment to support tourism.” Cabral shares that the domino effect of the COVID-19 pandemic to many sectors was evident in Nasugbu. And while he understood that his role as councilor is primarily legislative, he found ways to help during the pandemic, even without any official budget. Cabral reached out to personnel manning checkpoints to learn if health protocols mandated by the national government were being followed, and distributed food, face masks, and alcohol to some constituents and frontliners. He also believes that the pandemic proves social awareness is really low in the Philippines and the lack of empowerment at the barangay level contributes to this. “The participation of every person is needed, as well the compliance and belief in leaders. Their needs should be provided for, as we do not see the enemy [during this pandemic],” Cabral says. “As a leader, you need to be creative. You need to think outside the box. Kailangan isipin mo doon sa problema na ‘to na makagawa ka ng paraan para maibsan ang pinagdadanan ng iyong kababayan. (You need to think of ways to ease the burden of our countrymen),” he adds. Cabral further stresses the importance of livelihood and being able to offer employment opportunities to enable people to provide for their daily needs. “What really inspires me is the system of government in other countries. I asked myself why our government cannot be run that way. They are able to prioritize health and hospitalization which are of great help to their citizens,” he observes. Qualified leaders The councilor believes that the country should “elevate [its] qualifications in choosing leaders. Anybody can run. As long as you can read and write, pwede ka na (you can run already). Masyadong mababaw ‘yung kwalipikasyon kaya maraming nagsusuffer. Yung ginawa ‘yung batas, may kalayaan ang bawat tao pumili. Sa president, if you are 40 years old and above, and ikaw ay nakakapagbasa at nakakapagsulat, pwede na. Hindi naman sa pagdidiscriminate. Ito ang consequence ng ating ginawang Constitution na pinaglaban natin noong 1986 (The qualifications are too low, and therefore many suffer. When the law was made, we were given freedom to choose a leader. To run for President, you simply have to be 40 years old and above, and be able to read and write. I do not want to discriminate. This is the consequence of the Constitution we fought for in 1986),” he asserts. Cabral is proud to take ownership of his development as a public servant. He graduated with a degree in political science from Northwestern University in 2015 and earned his master’s degree in public administration from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas in 2018. In 2021, he earned his doctorate in public administration from the same university. “I am very much ready [to become mayor] because with nine years of service as municipal councilor–with limited to no budget— we managed to perform our role and responsibility. We know what we have to do to solve our problems. “Kaya natin pamahalaan at paunlarin ang bayan ng Nasugbu (We can govern and improve Nasugbu),” he says. “Traditional ‘yung pamumuno nung nakalipas. I want to be a transparent leader. Saan ba nailalagay ang mga pera na binabayad na buwis ng ating mga kababayan? Kailangan ingatan natin ang kaban ng bayan na galing sa dugo at pawis ng mga taxpayer natin (We were governed in a traditional way in the past. I want to be a transparent leader. Where was the money from the taxes of our constituents spent? We need to take care of our municipality’s money because it comes from the blood and sweat of our taxpayers).” The councilor wants to be a transformational leader, as he takes a giant leap from the city council for the mayor’s office. Aside from tourism, Cabral aims to develop Nasugbu’s agriculture sector, and other industries and offer more job employment to more than 200,000 population of their area. His message to his constituents: “Sa aking mga kababayan, lahat naman tayo ay may responsibilidad sa ating komunidad. Hindi lamang ang mga leaders although kaming mga leaders ang inaasahan nila na gagawa ng mga mabubuti at magagandang proyekto. Ako’y nakikiusap na tayo’y magtulungan sa magagandang layunin ng pamahalaan. Ako’y naniniwala na kung tayo ay magkakaisa, lahat ng mga pangarap maisasakatuparan natin. Sa ating pagkakaisa, may pag-asa (To our constituents, we are also responsible for our community; it’s not just the leaders, although we are the ones you hope to implement effective programs. Let us all help each other when it comes to the good intentions of the government. I believe that we can make our dreams come true if we work together).” BACK

< Back LEADING CHANGE Mayor Doña Cresencia Tesoro talks about her sustainable development plans for San Manuel, Tarlac and why the world needs millennial leaders. BY LAKAMBINI BAUTISTA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO "WHEN PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT, WHEN THEY CAN FINALLY LIVE A QUALITY PEACEFUL LIFE, THAT’S WHEN I SAY THAT I STEERED THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THAT I HAVE MADE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR MY TOWN.” The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present, and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.” Indian social reformer Kailash Satyarthi articulates it best. We need the youth to lead and mobilize the world for they have the dynamism, creativity, and energy to shape a better world. The people of San Manuel, Tarlac must have seen all these qualities in the then 28-year-old Doña Cresencia Tesoro, when they elected her as town chief in the May 2019 elections. Although she’s not exactly a newbie in politics. She had served as councilor and as vice mayor, under the leadership of her father, former mayor (now vice mayor) Benjamin Tesoro. EMPOWERING THE YOUTH Tesoro was fresh out of college (she finished Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication in Miriam College) when she started taking on the role as the private secretary of her father, who was then serving his first term as Mayor of the town She would assist him in his daily activities and take charge of certain projects on his behalf. “The first task my dad asked me to do was to form the San Manuel Youth Organization. There was no Sangguniang Kabataan elections at that time, so the youth was kind of lost. There were no youth programs,” she recalls. On her first foray into public service, the then 21-year-old was able to address the real issues concerning the youth. “We provided trainings and scholarships for the out-of-school youths. We went around schools and talked about timely issues like AIDS, mental health, teenage pregnancy, illegal drugs,” she says. Now 29 years old, Mayor Doña is the youngest and only female executive in the Municipality of San Manuel. “Whenever I think about it, I am still overwhelmed by the quick transition from councilor to vice mayor and now mayor,” Tesoro muses. “I thought to myself, I must be doing something right for the people to trust me this much, considering my age and how patriarchal the society can be with their choice of leaders.”

< Back MAYOR DAHLIA LOYOLA Carmona’s Mayor Dahlia Loyola on leading by example and listening to the people BY HELEN HERNANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL DEL ROSARIO Did you forget about the books? There is an urban legend about a library that sinks a few inches every year because the architect forgot to account for the weight of the books. One small detail was forgotten and eventually, the entire building was condemned. In her own way, Mayor Dahlia Loyola knows just how important it is to take everything into consideration. “Your constituents are members of the society. When you lead, it should be inclusive growth where nobody is left behind,” Mayor Dahlia said. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE Even before the interview officially started, Mayor Dahlia wasted no time in telling us about Carmona and how happy their citizens are. According to the mayor, the key is in their leadership style—participative and inclusive. “Our leadership style is participative. We encourage the people to be a part of the decision-making because we believe that if they are a part of your program drafting and services, they will be more than willing to participate in all of your activities,” Mayor Dahlia said. Mayor Dahlia’s prime example is their community’s HIV testing; the local government managed to get Carmona’s entire LGBTQ community tested. Considering the stigma against the LGBTQ community and HIV, the simple accomplishment is nothing less than an astounding feat. “We empower our people from all the sectors, including the LGBTQ community. We try to gather them, form organizations, and give them a chance to participate in our special bodies,” Mayor Dahlia said, enumerating the organizations in Carmona— department heads, NGOs, tricycle drivers, women’s group, PWDs, LGBTQ, senior citizens, etc. “A good leader is a good listener and follower,” Mayor Dahlia added. “So in policy-making, especially the ones with regard to a particular group, we consult with them. It can’t just be a oneman or one-woman rule here.” On the day of our visit, the people of Carmona themselves showed the team how much they appreciate the mayor. In the guise of a photo shoot, the mayor and our team went to the basketball court across the municipal hall. Inside, the tricycle drivers had organized a birthday surprise for the mayor. Confetti rained down on everyone as they held a giant tarpaulin with a birthday greeting, a life-sized standee of the mayor, and a cake. And very much the mother-figure that she is, Mayor Dahlia only had one thing to say for the smiling tricycle drivers. “Iwasan niyo na ang bisyo, (You should avoid your vices from now on,)” she said, earning a laugh from the crowd. But what exemplifies Mayor Dahlia’s influence more was what happened afterwards. While the mayor was going around, talking to the drivers, some of them began sweeping up the confetti from the floor. And before we had even left the court, the place was spotless. Prior to the impromptu celebration, Mayor Loyola confessed that she is very hands-on when it comes to her leadership. With her, no leaf is left unturned. Sometimes, this means literally. Her employees even share how the mayor is occasionally seen sweeping and taking care of the for plants around the municipality. But more importantly, Mayor Dahlia prides in shifting their mindset when it comes to the local government. “I consider it my greatest fulfilment that we changed their attitude, from ‘We don’t want to go to the government, they can’t help with anything’ to ‘Let us go to the municipal hall to seek for help because we’re sure that they can help us’,” Mayor Dahlia said, emphasizing that people are easier to manage when they truly feel that their government cares for them. CARMONA’S ANGELS And caring for her people is the very essence of everything that Mayor Dahlia does. Beaming with pride, she tells us about their award-winning comprehensive program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). From detection and diagnosis to intervention, SPED tutorials, skills programs, and entrepreneurial opportunities, their program covers everything. The program, “Your Embrace, My Hope” Comprehensive Framework on Education and Rehabilitation illustrates that Mayor Dahlia’s values inclusivity. “These children are angels,” Mayor Dahlia said. “If we don’t help them what will happen to their future?” The 1992 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons states that every PWD should be aided in their integration into mainstream society and provided with equal opportunities for employment. But Mayor Dahlia lamented that even though it is mandated, not everyone in the country is following it, let alone going above and beyond their call of duty for their special citizens. “Not every local government has the passion to do it. They are appropriating funds, but the funds are not given to these children for them to receive a comprehensive program,” Mayor Dahlia added. “But here in our community, I am proud to say that each and every PWD in our town is happy because they are expecting a good life.” Even after many years and awards, Mayor Dahlia admitted that she is often discouraged to talk about their program because of the lack of enthusiasm from fellow leaders. “My only wish is for people to follow our program. I’ve declined invitations to talk because I get disappointed that my audience are often parents of PWDs and organizations when I’d like my audience to be local chief executives who are willing to allocate and disburse funds for these children,” she said. CHANGING LIVES After more than a decade of service, not counting the years she served behind the scenes alongside her husband, being the chief executive of Carmona looks like second nature to Mayor Dahlia. But a life in politics wasn’t a part of her plan. >> > CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE !! FOR FREE!

< Back CONG. JOHN MARVIN NIETO Actor-turned-politician Yul Servo parlays his star status into meaningful public service BY ALFREDO G. GABOT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO Congressman John Marvin Nieto, more popularly known for his screen name Yul Servo, was one of the “stars” (actors-turned-politicians) in Manila’s City Council for nine long years. After completing three terms in 2016, he hesitantly threw his hat in the congressional race in the city’s third district and surprised the pundits when he convincingly won the nod of the voters, many of them Filipino-Chinese. Since then, he has emerged as one of the leading men at the House of Representatives, hobnobbing with celebrities in that chamber like Reps. Vilma Santos-Recto, Lucy Torres Gomez, Sol Aragones, Monsour del Rosario, and Alfred Vargas. With the many bills and resolutions he had authored, coauthored, sponsored, or co-sponsored as gleaned from the records of the lower chamber of the Philippine Congress, it can be said that Congressman Nieto has found his new calling. PUSHING SCIENTIFIC BOUNDARIES Two bills that he takes pride in having co-authored are centered on science and technology, believing that they are vital keys in the speedy growth and progress of the country. The first, House Bill No. 5792, seeks to address the country’s lack of scientists by attracting back to the country Filipino scientists, experts, engineers, and inventors who had made their name in the United States and other countries under a “Balik Scientist’’ program by providing appropriate incentives and benefits like tax and duty exemptions, grants in aid of research and development projects, relocation allowances, among others. The second bill, House Bill No. 4275, aims to catapult the Philippines into the space age and harness space science and technology through the creation of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) akin to the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) of the United States of America. Owing to its importance, the first measure hurdled both houses of Congress with ease and the approved bill has, in fact, been signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. The second bill was also approved overwhelmingly by the House and the Senate is ready for final approval. It was gathered that the country has only 189 scientists per million people when the ideal ratio is 380 scientists per million. This explains why the country trails behind many countries like the US and South Korea, which have over 5,000 and 3,000 scientists per million, and Malaysia with 2,000 scientists per a population of one million.“I’m very happy and proud that my bill has become a law (Republic Act No. 11035) and, hopefully, with this, the country can catch up with our Asian neighbors. Malaking bagay ito para sa bansa,” Congressman Nieto points out. The Philippines has already built and launched satellites in space but more must still be done to develop and promote a national space program. Congressman Nieto stresses that the proposed PhilSA under his bill shall be in charge of developing a space program that can help improve disaster management, enhance the lives of Filipino farmers, speed up internet and telecommunications systems, among others. Space technology, according to the Manila lawmaker, can give early warnings on hazards and natural disasters, which can help boost the country’s agricultural production. EDUCATION AND HEALTH TOP PRIORITIES Congressman Nieto, who is now only 41 and was an award-winning actor prior to throwing his hat in politics in 2007, has the good of the youth at heart. This is manifested, for instance, in his all-out support to the free tuition bill which ended up as a law, Republic Act No. 10931, and officially called the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The new law gives full tuition subsidy for thousands, if not millions, of students in about 200 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) as well as state-run technical and vocational schools like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The law also allotted a total of P40 billion for the first year, School Year 2018- 2019, of its implementation, P16 billion of which is for free higher education, P7 billion for free tech-voc education, P15.851 billion for tertiary education subsidy, P1 billion for student loan program, P11 million for the Tertiary Education Tracking and Reporting System and another P11 million for the administrative cost of the Unified Student Financial Assistance for Tertiary Education (UniFast). “There’s no substitute to education,” the youthful lawmaker stresses, and lauds President Duterte for initiating the free tuition program. “It is the passport out of poverty. It also helps to keep the youth away from drugs,” he quips. “With the free education, only you could be blamed if you don’t grow and get out of abject poverty,” he says. “Kailangan tayong magsikap para umunlad,” he adds, citing the experience of the youth of Manila who have been enjoying free-tuition college education through the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the City College of Manila (now the Universidad de Manila). Congressman Nieto knows whereof he speaks—he worked hard to get education winding up at the Philippine College of Criminology, as he admits initially wanting to become a law enforcer. “Pangarap ko talaga maging pulis,” he reveals. But the prospect of earning more in show business was just too tempting at that time, so he chose acting and was eventually given the screen name Yul Servo. He admits being an actor was an advantage when he first ran for councilor—he won in his first attempt at politics. Congressman Nieto reveals that he also supported the Universal Health Care Bill which both chambers of Congress have passed and forwarded to Malacañang for signing into law. The bill, once signed, will automatically enroll all Filipinos in the proposed National Health Insurance Program, expanding what is already provided for since 1995 by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth. With the bill, Manilans and those from neighboring cities and towns who are availing of the facilities of Manila’s six public hospitals like the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center will get a big boost in terms of added facilities, medicines, buildings, and other forms of support. BRINGING BACK THE BEAUTY OF MANILA As a Manila lawmaker, Congressman Nieto initiates and supports measures which will benefit the city and its residents. Thus, he throws his support to the rehabilitation of the dying Manila Bay and the rivers, esteros, and other tributaries leading to it, inspired by the Duterte administration’s success in rehabilitating the worldfamous Boracay. “This is long overdue,” he points out, admitting that the work would be massive now considering that Manila Bay covers not only Manila but also Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and up to Bataan whose waters have suffered from pollution due to multiple causes (e.g. lack of sewerage system, mushrooming of informal settlers, businesses and industries along the coasts and river banks). “Pero nakakatuwa na masisimulan na ang tunay na paglilinis, pag-aayos (I’m glad that the cleanup and rehabilitation can finally begin),” he says, admitting that his district—Binondo, Chinatown, Sta. Cruz, Quiapo and San Nicolas— is one of the worst hit with its esteros invaded by thousands of informal settlers throwing their mountains of garbage and wastes into them and others contributing to the pollution and flooding of the area. “Hopefully, we will also be the biggest beneficiaries of the honest-togoodness massive cleanup and rehabilitation,” the optimistic solon relates. “Napakaganda ng Maynila noon, lalung lalo na ang aking distrito na sentro ng komersiyo kaya’t maraming barko at bangka dito noon (Manila was a very beautifulcity then, especially our district, which was thecenter of commerce; there were lots of ships and boats here back then,” he recalls as he rues its degradation through the years. “Sama-sama nating buhayin ang Ilog Pasig at linisin ang mga estero (Let us work hand in hand in saving the Pasig River and cleaning our waterways),” he enjoins everyone. The poser was raised as Manila alone has two reclamation projects covering some 1,000 hectares from the Rizal Park up to the Manila Yacht Club area and beyond, triggering calls to stop the projects. No less than former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (Francisco Domagoso) and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año have proposed the suspensionof these projects. “We have experts studying those projects, and whatever thei recommendation will be, we will support for as long as it is for the good of Manila and its people,” the solon clarifies. Congressman Nieto, at the same time, calls for the rehabilitation of the city’s ports in tandem with the Manila Bay cleanup. “We have to improve and beautify the Port Area to attract more travelers and tourists and thus raise more revenues for the government, including the city government of Manila,” he says as he bats for higher share of taxes and revenues from the port operations, Manila being the host of the ports. ACCIDENTAL POLITICIAN Congressman Nieto admits he is an accidental politician. His dream was to become a policeman that’s why he studied and finished criminology at the Philippine College of Criminology. But by that time he was studying and completed his studies, he dabbled in acting. His fate changed when an uncle, Willy Cruz, an engineer who knew some actors and directors, saw his nephew’s potential to become a professional actor and introduced him to director Maryo J. Delos Reyes. The budding stage play actor then adopted the name “Yul Servo” from the name of Oscar winning actor Yul Brynner and the name of the head waiter in the restaurant which the director frequented, Alex III. Politics beckoned when his father, Martin Romano, was about to finish his term as councilor of Manila’s third district. He recalls his father, who made good as a city alderman, asked him several times to pinch hit for him in the next election and every time he hesitated to his father. He admits he eventually said “yes” when his director-friend Maryo Delos Reyes, who had earlier disapproved of his going into politics, finally consented, but with one condition: he won’t become a corrupt politician. He says he was hesitant at first to run for an elective office because he already had a good acting career. Besides, he admits he didn’t think that he would win. But he won by landslide, and won two more elections as a councilor, obtaining the highest votes among the councilors, thus making him a possible successor for vice mayor just in case. As a councilor, he says he initiated many projects, led medical and dental missions, reached out to out-ofschool youth, and helped the street kids, especially from his district, among others, adding he later enjoyed the work. Congressman Nieto admits becoming a politician had never crossed his mind. But he has the good fortune to be a councilor, which eventually led to winning a congressional seat. He is currently seeking a second term under the Asenso Manileños the party which catapulted him to the City Council. He says he will continue serving the people of Manila, especially those in the third district, in the best way he can. “Hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwala sa akin ng mga Manileño. Ang tiwala at pagmamahal ay hindi mababayaran. Patuloy akong maglilingkod ng tapat. (I will not waste the opportunity that the Manileños gave me. I cannot repay their trust and love. But I will continue to serve honestly. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alfredo G. Gabot, a professor, author and journalist, has a Master in Government Management. He was a former Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Director later Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost). >> > CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE !! FOR FREE!

< Back Champion of the Overseas Filipino Workers in the 19th Congress BY FREDERICK N. CASTILLO A television talk show host and movie actress turned lawmaker. This sums up the career path that One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) Partylist Representative Marissa Magsino took from the early 1980s to the present. For 20 years, she, then known as Marissa Del Mar, had enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle that came with her decorated career as a movie actress who starred with some of the big names in show business and as a multi-awarded talk show host. Magsino may have left show business but she still shines as she makes her mark in Congress as a hardworking lawmaker, being a member of 22 House committees and having been elected by her colleagues as an Assistant Minority Leader. Venturing into politics seems like a major career shift, but Magsinos hares that her desire to be of service particularly to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) actually started when she was in show business. She recalls that her personal encounter with Filipino extras during a shoot in another country deeply influenced her decision to join politics in order to address the pressing issues faced by OFWs. That interaction with the Filipino extras who shared their grievances about not receiving proper salaries and basic necessities like food during the shoot was a profound moment for her as “it highlighted the systemic injustices faced by many OFWs and the urgent need for advocacy and policy reform to protect their rights and welfare.” She realized that public service could have a significant impact in addressing these issues and creating positive change for her fellow Filipinos. This realization was continuously hammered upon her as she interviewed hundreds of OFWs in her shows, until she decided to take her advocacy on OFW rights a step further—to serve our kababayans in a bigger capacity to uplift their lives. She then ran as the first nominee of the OFW Party List during the 2022 national elections and emerged victorious, becoming the lone legislator representing the said sector in the 19th Congress. Magsino has been appointed as Ambassador in the Philippines and Chairperson of the Philippine House of Representatives Sunfull Committee by the Sunfull Foundation, a non-governmental organization in South Korea, which works to counter cyberbullying, hate speech and human rights violations on the internet. Joining her in the advocacy in spreading peace, respect, and positivity in the digital space is Ms. Princess Adriano, Secretary General of OFW Party List, who has been appointed as the Ambassador for Social Media for the Sunfull Peace Movement - K Respect. NEW ROLE, NEW HURDLES The shift in Magsino’s career from an actress and talk show host to being a lawmaker involved significant changes in her roles and responsibilities. And just as there were hurdles in her showbiz career that she had to overcome, she once again had to face new hurdles that come with her role as a congresswoman. Among the challenges that she experienced during her first few weeks as a lawmaker were adapting to the formalities and protocols of legislative procedures, understanding the complexities involved in policy-making, and establishing rapport with fellow lawmakers. Dealing with these challenges, she says, “requires humility, openness to learning, and perseverance.” But these challenges did not bother her as much as politicking did. “I am a straightforward person [so] what you see is what you get. Yet in politics, there are maneuverings that do not align with how I am as a person,” she shares. In time, she had eventually learned to take the politicking in stride. “As long as I am doing the right thing for my constituents, I do not let it bother me,” she states. Now that she has learned the ropes in Congress, another challenge that the first-term lawmaker faces is her being the sole representative of OFWs in the Lower Chamber. She admits that having been “entrusted with the task of advocating for the rights and welfare of millions of hardworking Filipinos working and living abroad who often face unique challenges and vulnerabilities... sometimes feels like a daunting task.” To muster support for bills specifically focused on OFWs requires collaboration and coalition-building across other parties and interest groups. With her fellow lawmakers, she has to work diligently to engage with them as well as to educate them about the issues concerning OFWs. Thus, she considers her task challenging but at the same time a privilege, because it serves as her platform to amplify the OFWs’ voices and push for policies that address their needs. PREPARED FOR CONGRESS Magsino attributes her success asa lawmaker to her background asa multi-awarded talk show hostand an OFW rights advocate. Shesays her years of experience as atalk show host of Up Close andPersonal with Marissa Del Mar, Buhay OFW, and World Class Kababayan honed her communications skills, which is essential for her to effectively convey complex issues to diverse audiences and articulate the concerns of her constituents in a compelling manner.Through her advocacy for OFW rights, she has gained firsthand insights about the challenges that beset marginalized communities and the importance of fighting for their rights. Such insights help her identify her legislative priorities and motivate her to champion policies that promote social justice and equality. The lady solon's awareness and deeper understanding of global issues, particularly those related to migration and labor rights, allow her to engage in debates on international affairs and advocate for policies on human rights both in the domestic and international scenes. BIDA NG MGA BIDA Magsino cannot stress enough the significant contribution of OFWs to our economy, saying that OFW remittances, which amount to $37.2B per year, are the cornerstone of our economic survival.Hence, she considers our OFWs as heroes, deserving to be treated as such. This perspective is reflected in the OFW Party List’s slogan, OFW, ikaw ang bida! (OFW, you are the star!) To make sure that their party’s slogan is actualized, Magsino advocates for policies that will give OFWs star treatment, such as better working conditions, fair wages, and access to essential services. In addition, she engages with government agencies to address issues concerning OFWs such as illegal recruitment and human trafficking, pushing for reforms through legislative proposals and policy dialogues. She also prioritizes programs like skills training and financial literacy to empower OFWs.Among the bills that she has filed to protect the welfare of OFWs from pre-deployment to repatriation are the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Anti-illegal Recruitment Bill, and the Internet Voting Bill. HB 7325 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers is expected to ensure decent work and safe working conditions for our seafarers. As stipulated in the bill, Filipino seafarers have the right to: a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards; fair terms andconditions of employment; decent working and living conditions on board a ship; health protection, medical care, and welfare measures; self-organization; educational advancement and training; relevant information; free legal representation and speedy disposition of cases; appropriate grievance mechanism; and access to communication, among others. HB 7865 or the Anti-illegal Recruitment Bill was crafted to address the growing cases of illegal recruitment, which are evolving through online platforms and multi-country transit point schemes. Magsino says that there have been numerous cases of illegal recruitment of OFWs, particularly targeting Southeast Asian countries and that such cases often lead to human trafficking. Recognizing the challenges on jurisdictional issues faced by our law enforcement agencies due to the cross-border nature of illegal recruitment, HB 7865 includes mechanisms designed to expedite the investigation of violations through coordination with law enforcement agencies abroad. This comprehensive proposed new law against illegal recruitment was crafted in collaboration with the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA "DEL MAR" MAGSINO CONSIDERS OUR OFWS AS HEROES, DESERVING TO BE TREATED AS SUCH THIS PERSPECTIVE IS REFLECTED IN THE OFW PARTYLIST'S SLOGAN, OFW, IKAW ANG BIDA! (YOU ARE THE STAR) In addition, Magsino sponsored the substitute bill for HB 6770 or the Internet Voting Bill to address the long- standing clamor of OFWs for mechanisms that would enable them to exercise their right of suffrage while abroad. This is in support of the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) initiativeto introduce internet registration and voting for OFWs by providing a legal basis for it. Magsino says that while she acknowledges the COMELEC’s authority to implement “other means of voting” under the existing law, she sees the need for a bill that would provide a specific statutory basis through legislation for clarity and prevention of potential questions of interpretation. The congresswoman also led the launching of the OFW App, a project of the OFW Party List and her brainchild.This is in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). This application is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing comprehensive assistance and information to OFWs worldwide through a digital app. Magsino also filed a resolution urging appropriate committees of Congress to review and assess the Philippines’ existing bilateral labor agreements with countries of destination. These labor agreements ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of OFWs, and her initiative to have these reviewed would address the challenges faced by OFWs, such as labor rights issues and inadequate legal protection. “Reviewing bilateral agreements is crucial to identify weaknesses and improve protection for OFWs, covering areas like employment contacts, wages, and legal assistance,” she explains. Other than the bills and resolutions she has filed, she also spearheaded high-level policy dialogues with government agencies and various Philippine embassies, and community stakeholders. Such dialogues have been instrumental in filing effective and responsive legislation. She also fostered collaboration between government agencies, embassies, and non-governmental organizations to leverage resources and expertise that would provide comprehensive support to OFWs and their families. Such collaboration involves initiatives such as skills training programs, financial literacy workshops, and psychosocial support services. With what Magsino has accomplished so far for OFWs, she is definitely the star of these heroes, the bida ng mga bida (star of stars). TOWARDS EMPOWERED OFWS Magsino envisions that in the next few years, OFWs would be “empowered, protected, and recognized for their invaluable contribution to our nation’s development and prosperity.”To achieve such a vision, she will continually focus on policy proposals and programs “that directly affect our OFWs such as retooling and upskilling, capital grants for micro-enterprises for returning OFWs, and other reintegration programs.” Magsino also plans to actively engage with foreign governments and international organizations to advocate for OFW rights abroad, such as helping look for labor markets that are committed to respect and value our OFWs through their adherence to labor standards and strong policies in the host countries. Doing this would prevent deployment to host countries with an unabated record of abuses against OFWs and ensure deployment only to host countries that will truly take care of them. But she also stresses the importance of strengthening our local economy and providing more opportunities for gainful and decent employment in our country “so that Filipinos no longer have to work abroad out of desperation, but only out of free choice.” For the remainder of her term, Magsino will advocate for initiatives that promote the economic empowerment of OFWs and their families, such as programs for financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and skills development. “Empowering OFWs with the necessary tools and resources will not only improve their own livelihoods, it will also contribute to the overall economic development of the Philippines,” she explains. "WITH WHAT MAGSINO HAS ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR FOR OFWS, SHE IS DEFINITELY THE STAR OF THESE HEROES, THE BIDA NG MGA BIDA (STAR OF STARS)." Magsino also intends to prioritize measures that would help returning OFWs to integrate into the local workforce and communities so that they could easily transition back to life in the Philippines. Such measures include job placement programs, vocational training, and psychosocial support. And as response to gender-based violence and discrimination of OFWs, she commits to advance policies that promote gender equality and protect their rights. COMMITMENT TO SERVICE Magsino relishes the idea of “making a positive impact on the lives of the people I represent and the nation as a whole” and is committed to continue pushing for her various initiatives. This, despite the challenges that she faces at the Lower House. “Perhaps the most challenging part of my job is navigating the complexities of the political landscape and balancing competing interests and priorities,” she reveals. “Serving as a lawmaker requires making difficult decisions, negotiating compromises, and overcoming obstacles to advance the common good,” she continues. “Additionally, the fast-paced and demanding nature of a congresswoman’s job can sometimes be overwhelming, requiring resilience, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Despite these, I am committed to facing all challenges with integrity, empathy, and dedication.” One particular challenge that Magsino faces, together with other partylist lawmakers, is the continued call forthe abolition of the partylist system. In the face of this, she remains steadfast in her belief that “partylist groups are essential for ensuring inclusivity and representation inour democratic processes.” The system, she underscores, provides a platform for underrepresented sectors, such as migrant workers, farmers, indigenous people, women, and youth, to have a voice in government and advocate for their interests. Abolishing the partylist system, she says, “would disenfranchise these marginalized sectors and undermine their ability to participate in governance and decision- making.” Instead of abolishing the partylist system, the lady solon stresses the need to focus on strengthening it by enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the selection and accreditation of partylist organizations. This, she says, will help ensure that genuine representatives of marginalized sectors are elected to Congress and that their voices continue to be heard in shaping policies and legislation that affect their lives. UTMOST GRATITUDE Magsino recognizes the sacrifices that OFWs make every day, being away from their loved ones and facing unfamiliar environments. She assures them and their families that “their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated” and that her office is “tirelessly working to ensure that their contributions are recognized, their rights are protected, and their welfare is safeguarded.” The lady legislator stresses that the support and understanding of families of OFWs is crucial in enabling their loved ones to pursue opportunities abroad. “I commend your strength and resilience as you navigate the challenges of separation and maintain the home front,” she says. Magsino calls on everyone to join her in ensuring the welfare of OFWs and their families. “Together, let us continue to work hand in hand to create a better future for all OFWs and their families,” she stresses. To OFWs, she says, “Your sacrifices and hard work fuel our nation’s progress, and we are deeply grateful for your dedication and commitment. For me, OFWs are the stars!” "TOGETHER, LET US CONTINUE TO WORK HAND IN HAND TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL OFWS AND THEIR FAMILIES."

< Back LEADING WITH THE HEART BY RAGIE MAE TAÑO-ARELLANO THE MAN LEADING DAVAO DEL NORTE IS A RELATIVE NEWCOMER TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE, YET HE IS MAKING HIS MARK IN THE PROVINCE THROUGH HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE. People usually address government officials by their positions as a sign of respect. This also creates some sort of wall between them. This is not the case in Davao del Norte, where the governor is simply called "Kuya Gob." “Kuya” is the Filipino word for older brother, while “Gob” is a shortcut for governor. Everyone in Davao del Norte refers to Governor Edwin Jubahib as “Kuya Gob,” breaking the stereotype of politicians as being difficult to approach. Jubahib explains that his being “Kuya Gob” to his constituents makes him more approachable, compared to being called “Gov" or "Governor,” which gives the impression of someone unreachable and intimidating. THE REMARKABLE RISE OF KUYA GOB Jubahib’s reputation as a dependable elder brother started in 2016 when he served as chief of staff for then-House Speaker and 1st District of Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez. He was the go-to person for the people of Davao del Norte, the one to whom constituents turned for help and guidance. The governor first became involved in the Davao del Norte political scene when he became the campaign manager for Mindanao of former Senator Manny Villar when he ran for the presidency in 2010. Jubahib declined the offer at first, citing a lack of political expertise, but Villar placed his trust in him. Though Villar lost the elections, it did not stop Jubahib from being part of the political landscape of Davao. He met Alvarez in one of Villar’s campaign sorties. He eventually became the Speaker's chief of staff. Jubahib is known in Davao del Norte as a bus conductor turned engineer and construction company owner. He started as a utility worker at Bachelor Express Inc., a bus company in Davao. While working, he enrolled at the University of Mindanao in Davao City. His hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed; he was promoted from bus conductor to supervisor and then to assistant operations manager. He dreamed of becoming an engineer or a lawyer, but since he was self-supporting, he could only afford to pursue a degree in Criminology while working. Then, an offer came to him to study technical engineering in Japan while working. When he became an engineer, he stopped working and decided to open a construction company. Despite these achievements, Jubahib was accused of being a “pseudo-engineer” and a drug addict during the 2019 campaign. These false accusations didn’t bother him, though, because he was aware that they were part of a political ploy to damage his reputation. He acknowledged that he had estafa charges against him for about Php100,000, but he explained that this was just one of the ups and downs of his construction business. He explained that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had contracted projects with his construction company, but the late President Benigno Aquino, Jr., ordered them to recall those projects. “But we already finished the project; I wasn’t paid, so it was a big loss, so of course, you issued a check for the materials.” SINCE GOVERNOR EDWIN JUBAHIB'S CONSTITUENTS REFER TO HIM AS "KUYA GOB" RATHER THAN "GOV OR GOVERNOR," HE FEELS THAT THIS MAKES HIM MORE APPROACHABLE. Jubahib, however, changed the course of Davao del Norte politics. His victory was a milestone in Davao’s political history because he was a first- time candidate and yet he defeateda candidate from a political clan that dominated Davao del Norte politics for more than 40 years. “ Hindi pala lahat ay pera ang basehan.. Kahit makapangyarihan ka, puede pala na ang tao ay pumili din ng bago. (Not everything is about money. Even if you’re powerful, people can choose someone new.) " He recognized the significance of his victory as a divine gift, a calling from the Lord to lead the people of Davao del Norte toward a brighter future. BROTHERLY CARE Reflecting on the challenges faced by the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society, the province ' s chief executive officer felt a deep sense of responsibility to initiate change. He understood the people’s struggles in accessing government assistance during his time with Alvarez. From then on, he vowed to bridge the gap between the government and the grassroots. However, he never envisioned himself doing the above as governor. He was hesitant to take on the challenge of running in the gubernatorial race or for any position, especially since he was not certain of his chances of winning against the ruling political clan in Davao del Norte. Jubahaib said that he just answered the call of the religious sector and ordinary citizens who yearned for change. His victory, he says, was not just a political triumph but an affirmation and determination of the people’s will to bring about positive change in the province. “ Parang pinagbigyan ko lang, subok lang. So nung nanalo ako very emotional na ako, sabi ko na pagsisilbihan ko talaga ang mga kababayan ko sa Davao del Norte. (I just gave it a shot, tested the waters. So when I won, I became very emotional, and I said that I would really serve the people of Davao del Norte.)” True to his commitment to serving the public and fulfilling his promise to the people, Jubahib wasted no time in making a significant change. He declared that all health services in Davao del Norte, including those offered in the province’s three district hospitals, would be provided free of charge. This encompassed not just medical treatment but also essential medicines, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society could access health care without financial burden. INSURGENCY-FREE PROVINCE It was under Jubahib’s administration that Davao del Norte was declared insurgency- free. It also made the wholeDavao Region insurgency-free as well. This is because, according to Jubahib, the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) are all based in Davao del Norte. This is a milestone in the province, especially given its reputation as a hotbed of insurgent activities by the CPP- NPA. The governor explains that he recognized the urgency of addressing the root causes of insurgency and sought to engage with the affected communities directly. Together with the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), he went to the hinterlands and checked the conditions of the families of rebels. They also brought with them representatives of local government units, local and national agencies, and the private sector who can help improve the lives of the people in the hinterlands. The approach was holistic. They conducted medical missions, distributed essential supplies such as vegetable seeds, high-value crops, and fertilizers, and assisted in improving the living conditions of the residents. The governor shared how disheartening it was to witness the dire situations in which the people lived—humble dwellings constructed from branches and grass, with roofs barely providing adequate shelter. Jubahib admits that it was challenging at first because there were hesitations and doubts. He, however, saw a glimmer of hope when he extended a hand of support and showed genuine concern for the people ' s well-being. They were able to foster trust and dialogue with the affected communities. He assured them that their grievances would be addressed and that the government was committed to providing the necessary resources for their upliftment. “ Sobrang nakakaawa. Inayos namin ang kalagayan nila at kinumbinsi ko sila na huwag na silang makipaglaban sa ating kasundaluhan, tapusin na namin ang gulo dito sa probinsiya namin. Iba na ngayon, sabi ko kasi nanditona ang gobernador nila. (It’s really pitiful, so we addressed their needs and convinced them not to fight against our military men anymore; to end the conflict in our province. We told them that it's different now, with their governor present among them.) They no longer need to go to the capitol; I would visit their community, and whatever they lack—schools, health centers, roads—I will provide them during my term.” The governor made true of his promise. He led efforts to push for programs and projects in areas that had been long neglected.He invested in infrastructure, education, and livelihood programs to uplift disadvantaged communities. Thousands of NPA members voluntarily surrendered and turned over their firearms, signaling a definitive end to the long-standing insurgency problem in the province. This achievement was not confined to Davao del Norte alone but encompassed neighboring areas like Bukidnon, Agusan, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. Former conflict zones like the towns of Talaingod and Kapalong have now been transformed into emerging tourist destinations, as some areas have been converted into mountain resorts. Making the province insurgency-free is Jubahib’s greatest achievement so far. With Davao Del Norte being a “livable province,” they are now bracing for more developments. THE BATTLE The need for development is also the reason why Jubahib is passionate about efforts to address the pressing issue of high power rates in Davao Del Norte. According to him, excessive electricity charges have not only burdened consumers but also hindered business growth and investment in the province.This explains why he took decisive action against Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO), which supplies power to major cities in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro. Despite his efforts, a group called CAPECs (Coalition Against Privatization of Electric Cooperatives) filed charges against him with the Ombudsman. Jubahib, however, described this move as politically motivated and a distraction from the real issue at hand—the urgent need to provide better services to the people of Davao. The issue reached Congress and upon investigation, it was found that the cooperative was imposing high charges on consumers while providing poor service, resulting in frequent brownouts and unreliable electricity supply. In contrast, private power companies operating in other districts offered lower rates, gave better service, and contributed to community development through corporate social responsibility programs. He is now pushing for private power companies known for their reliability and efficiency to replace the cooperative. “HINDI PALA LAHAT AY PERA ANG BASEHAN. KAHIT MAKAPANGYARIHAN KA, PUEDE PALA NA ANG TAO AY PUMILI DIN NG BAGO." THE VISION Jubahib is quite new to local governance, yet he was already recognized as Governor of the Year during the Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards in 2022. Davao del Norte was likewise acknowledged as the Most Sustainable and Liveable Province in the Philippines. He expresses joy for the recognition because his implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions to address the pressing issues in the province is acknowledged. He says that the programs of the provincial government of Davao del Norte are directed towards those who are in need. ' He cites the Kaagapay program, where they provided capitalization for 30families organized into people’s organizations. The funds are to beu sed to purchase vegetable seeds.The beneficiaries are also encouraged to plant corn, for which fertilizer is also provided. They are also given livestock such as chickens, goats, or pigs to raise. The families will be responsible for planting, harvesting, and selling crops and livestock. They will sell these to the provincial government to eliminate middlemen. The provincial government pays the farmers in full. " Pinutol ko yung transaction ng middle man na siyang kumikita doon. Intact yung natanggap ng mga magsasaka, kasi kung ano yung retail price sa palengke, yun din ang bili ng probinsiya doon sa produkto nila. (I did away with middlemen, who usually profit from transactions with farmers. The farmers receive the full amount for their products because we matched the market retail price.) They didn’t even need to transport their products themselves because the provincial government went to them. We did everything in order, especially in weighing their products. So, they earn.)” According to Jubahib, this program has addressed the struggles of families who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “Before, there were families who couldn’t even eat for a day. Now, their food is sufficient, and they were even able to buy household items because of the Kaagapay program,” he says. The crime rate in Davao del Norte has also decreased to 3.5 percent, according to the governor. That’s why the Provincial Police Office was adjudged as the Best Performing Police Office in the country in 2021. They also have the Oplan sa Kalinaw, Kaagapay Para sa Kalusugan at Kaginhawaan ng Baryo (Peace Plan, Partner for the Health and Well-Being of the Community) program, which continuously operates. Aside from giving free health services in the entire province, the provincial government also has a mobile clinic where surgeries can even be performed. They also focus on addressing the issue of flooding through various projects, like the distillation program for seawater and the canalization program in rivers within the province. While the province has experienced flooding, these projects, according to Jubahib, have significantly helped mitigate the impact of such. They also have five heavy rescue trucks from Russia which are used not only to rescue but also to serve food and medicines for those affected by floods. The governor dreams of Davao del Norte being named as a must- visit destination in the country.“My development plan ranges from highlands to islands—ecotourism development,” he declares. THE SACRIFICE One thing that weighs heavily on Jubahib’s mind is the limited time he gets to spend with his family. It’s a source of sadness for him, knowing that his demanding schedule often keeps him away from his loved ones. Sacrificing what could have been memorable moments with his family is a necessary part of his commitment to serving the people of Davao del Norte. Despite his longing to be with his children more often, his primary focus remains on fulfilling his responsibilities and helping the constituents of his province. He says that his sacrifice is not just a way of thanking the people for the trust and support they have given him but also his assurance of keeping up with his commitment to serve the people of Davao del Norte. However, the thought that Jubahib’s sacrifices are paying off, for they can now gradually experience progress in Davao del Norte, is an assurance that he is doing well as a public servant. He is fulfilled to see that there are families who were once extremely poor but are now experiencing improvements in their lives. Thus, as their Kuya Gob, he calls on the people to continue uniting to fight poverty and conflict. “ Yung problema natin sa insurgency ay natapos na. Patuloy po tayong magkaisa, magtulungan, magdasal sa Panginoong Diyos para sa ikakabuti ng inyong pamilya, at ating mahal na probinsiya (Our problem with insurgency has already ended. Let us continue to unite, help one another, and pray to the Lord our God for the betterment of your families and our beloved province), he ends.” "OUR PROBLEM WITH INSURGENCY HAS ALREADY ENDED. LET US CONTINUE TO UNITE, HELP ONE ANOTHER, AND PRAY TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR FAMILIES AND OUR BELOVED PROVINCE."

< Back Transforming the Philippine Tourism Industry BY GODFREY T. DANCEL TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA GARCIA-FRASCO CONTINUES TO LEAD SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM THE PHILIPPINE TOURISM INDUSTRY, MAKING USE OF GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES SHE HAD MASTERED AS A LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE. From top local chief executive in the Visayas to top member of the Cabinet. This, in a nutshel, succinctly summarizes Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Fraco's nine years as a public servant. After continuing the transformation of Liloan, Cebu into a model municipality in the Visayas in her two terms as mayor, Frasco has skilfully led the Department of Tourism into one more becoming one of the top performing executive agencies and second top driver of the country's economic growth and development. FROM LOCAL TO NATIONAL Frasco may be a relative newcomer to public service, but her direct exposure to public service as well as her educational background have served her well. She is a member of the Garcia clan of Cebu, which counts among its more prominent members her mother, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her grandfather, former Governor Pablo Garcia. Her spouse, Cebu Fifth District Representative Vincent Franco Frasco, is one of the current deputy speakers in the House of Representatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal management from the Ateneo de Manila University and earned her law degree from the Ateneo School of Law. Frasco’s first foray into public service came in 2016, when she was elected as mayor of Liloan. She was reelected for her second term in 2019. Under her leadership, Liloan continued to develop economically and socially. In 2019, it was named as the country’s Most Resilient Municipality by the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Top Philippine Model Municipality by Manila Times. Among others, Liloan also received national recognition for its achievements in the fields of education, business friendliness, and infrastructure. In May 2022, the people of Liloan gave their then-reelectionist mayor an overwhelming mandate to lead them for another term. After all, she had served them meritoriously and had more plans for the first class municipality. Her third term, however, was nipped in the bud as she was tapped to lead a major department under the new administration. Thenincoming President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. had decided to appoint her as secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT). With her acceptance of the position, Frasco became the youngest member of the Marcos Cabinet. Frasco’s appointment came at a critical time. “At the time, not only were we dealing with the pandemic, but also recovering from the very devastating Typhoon Odette that ravaged much of Cebu,” she recalls. “The effort that I had made as mayor was really to ensure that quality of life in Liloan is high. And toward the future, with our intention of becoming a city, we designed our programs to make sure that not only did we invest in infrastructure, health, social welfare, and the education of our people, but also that we increase the capacity of the people of Liloan to obtain gainful livelihood. And so all of these were still in play at the time that I was reelected as mayor, and then I received the invitation from the president. My response to the president, initially, was to request that I be given the opportunity to consult with the people that elected me, our local leaders, our constituents, and of course, my family.” “In the conversations that I had, both with my family and my constituents—and I did make the effort to do my rounds in the barangays, even up to the mountainside—all were in agreement that an invitation from a president for me to be part of the team that will turn his vision of unity and unprecedented progress for our country should not to be turned down,” Frasco relates. “The opportunity to serve the Filipino people in a larger capacity is one that I'm very grateful for. So, with the blessing of my family and the people of Liloan, I accepted the invitation.” LISTENING TOUR… AND MORE When she assumed the post of tourism secretary, Frasco set out on a listening tour around the country to understand the situation on the ground and connect with tourism stakeholders. “My experience as mayor taught me the importance of listening to your people and of seeing the actual situation on the ground, rather than just simply crafting policy from the comfort of your office,” she shares. “And so the effort was to gain insight, both from our local stakeholders all over the Philippines, and our stakeholders from abroad.” Said activity involved property owners; travel and tour operators; transport operators; micro, small and medium-scale enterprise owners; and even tour guide. “The directive of the president was to increase the global competitiveness of the country. And we could not do that without understanding the lay of the land, as they say, and without also addressing the needs of those that depend on the tourism industry and have invested heavily in tourism. The listening tour which we did across very many sectors of the tourism value chain enabled us to obtain ideas as to how we can innovate within the tourism industry and also very honest feedback on how we can improve,” Frasco stresses. In addition to the listening tour, tourism officials led by their then-newly appointed chief conducted due diligence of the actual state of Philippine tourism, especially vis-á-vis our direct competitors in the Southeast Asian region. “There we found that the barriers to the full ascension of the Philippines in terms of its stature in the ASEAN tourism hemisphere lies in number one, infrastructure; second, connectivity; third, digitalization; and fourth, in the diversity of tourism offerings, as well as the equity of tourism development,” Frasco reveals. A CLEAR TOURISM ROADMAP “All of the insights that the DOT gathered, as well as data from all over the world, aided us in crafting the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2023 to 2028, which the president approved,” Frasco shares. Less than a year after she assumed the DOT top post, Frasco launched the NTDP 2023–2028 during the Tourism Stakeholders’ National Summit in March 2023. The NTDP, she says, is the department’s blueprint for strategies on how to sustain and to grow the impact of tourism on our economy in the next few years. It will serve as the guidebook for mechanisms to ensure sustainability, innovation, inclusivity, and global competitiveness. The NTDP, the secretary also reveals, is the department’s response to the president’s call for tourism officials to transform the Philippine tourism industry into a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the next five years. The above mandate, together with the president’s statement that improving tourism is a priority for the government, Frasco says, gave them the confidence to meet challenges head on. “For one, the foundation of that vision lies in the intention to reintroduce the Philippines to the world from the lens of the Filipino story. It not only provides a purview of the fun and adventure that we're able to offer, and for which we have been known for very long, but also, more importantly, a view into the Filipino culture,” she elaborates. “We can all agree that the greatest strength of the Philippines is the Filipino people. And by allowing the world to get to know the heart and soul of the Filipino, then we have a very good foundation from which to start our ascension to become a tourism powerhouse. The strength of our heritage, the diversity of our culture, the vastness of our history that covers generations of influences as well as the intricacies of our regions that one can discover by tasting Filipino food across our destinations, partaking in our festivals, understanding the living cultural traditions of our indigenous peoples, will all work in our favor,” she adds. With the above, the DOT has come up with various efforts to strategically position the Philippines as a preferred and premier destination for certain tourism products and services, including health and wellness, gastronomy, cruise, and culture. One of these is the Philippine Experience Program which Frasco describes as “a culture, heritage, and arts caravan that focuses on providing opportunities for well known, emerging, and lesser known destinations to be introduced, not just to our tourists, but also, importantly, to our tourism stakeholders and our foreign diplomats stationed in the Philippines, especially those from countries with existing travel advisories against the country.” “We bring our tourism stakeholders and diplomats to various destinations, and we coordinate with our regional offices as well as our local government units to provide a two to three-day day itinerary that covers the heritage, history, and culture of the regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities,” Frasco explains. “It could also include, where applicable, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also highlight health and wellness sanctuaries and of course, provide a view into the local culture and traditions of the place. And especially, it has a buying component so that we are able to benefit the local communities and support local economies as the local stakeholders are able to sell their local goods and wares through this visit. It also includes a culinary component, where we feature the local delicacies of the destinations.” MY EXPERIENCE AS MAYOR TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING TO YOUR PEOPLE AND OF SEEING THE ACTUAL SITUATION ON THE GROUND, RATHER THAN JUST SIMPLY CRAFTING POLICY FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OFFICE. Meanwhile, the Bisita, Be My Guest program is the DOT’s way of providing incentives for overseas Filipinos that invite foreigners to come into the country. “We are very grateful to our kababayans, and the entire diaspora of Filipinos from all over the world, as we view them as our tourism ambassadors,” the secretary underscores. Incentives include the possibility of winning a house and lot, a condominium unit, free vacations to the country, free airline tickets, and free shopping sprees. ENGAGING LGUS Being a member of the Cabinet has given Frasco the chance to apply her learnings as a local official on a national scale. “Even if I am no longer mayor, I still very much have a local perspective in national governance,” she stresses. “I am still very much driven by the sense of urgency that all mayors have, knowing that if policy does not change, if programs are not implemented, and if people are not a priority, then nothing positive will happen. So coming into the national government, I have always been very conscious of never forgetting where I came from and understanding that the policies that are crafted on a national scale should take into consideration the needs of our local government units.” A tangible result of the above perspective is the Tourism Champions Challenge, which was launched by the secretary herself during the national assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in 2023. It is a program where the national government, through the DOT and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, grants financial assistance to local government units that propose tourism infrastructure projects that are of their own idea and of their own creation under the auspices of inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. “After we launched this program, we received around 98 proposals from all over the Philippines, which then went through a very rigorous process of mentoring and expert advice from national government agencies, private tourism stakeholders, and other relevant experts to make sure that the proposal is fashioned in a manner that would ensure its sustainability and maximum benefits to the community,” Frasco shares. “We also made sure that it is marketable in terms of its attractiveness to international and domestic tourists.” No less than the president himself led the awarding ceremonies where the DOT handed out around 250 awards, in addition to millions of pesos in financial assistance to the 15 LGUs that were shortlisted. With the program, Filipinos can expect tourism infrastructure projects to rise, thus helping ensure that the benefit of tourism are felt in all regions across the country. A SHOWCASE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE One of the hallmarks of Frasco’s leadership of the DOT is the department’s judicious use of its budget. “The Commission on Audit has given the DOT high audit ratings for a number of years. A priority of the department under this administration is really to ensure good governance, and we have managed to maintain the unmodified opinion of the COA since the onset of the Marcos administration,” she reveals. “Affirmations from both our government auditing body as well as from the private auditing sector give us the impetus to continue to make sure that public funds are used in a manner that maximizes the effectiveness of our programs.” The DOT has also managed to renew its quality management systems and ISO accreditations. As an added measure to ensure accountability, transparency, and excellence in government service, the department is also finalizing a balanced scorecard for each of its operating units to make sure that everyone is always accountable for all of their duties and responsibilities. With Frasco at the helm, the DOT has posted record figures in a number of indicators. For starters, the tourism industry posted 6.21 million in employment for 2023, a significant increase from 5.84 million in 2022. This figure also translates to 16 million in indirect employment, taking into account the indirect benefits of tourism. In all, the tourism industry accounted for almost 13 percent of total employment in the country in 2023. Moreover, tourism accounted for an 8.6 percent share of our gross domestic product for 2023, contributing almost Php2.1 trillion to the national coffers. This represents an almost 50 percent increase from Php1.41 trillion recorder in 2022. For 2024, Frasco reported a record-breaking Php760 billion in estimated receipts from international visitor arrivals, adding that foreign tourists stayed longer at an average of 11 days, compared to 9 in 2019. Frasco’s efforts to transform the DOT have not gone unnoticed. Just as she received accolades when she was mayor, including the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Regional Award in 2021, Frasco has also received national and international recognition for her achievements as DOT chief. One of these is the prestigious Tourism Good Governance Award from SKAL International. SKAL International is a network of travel and tourism professionals that promotes travel and tourism worldwide. Meanwhile, in the last quarter of 2024, she emerged as one of the top performing Cabinet members based on a nationwide survey. TRANSFORMATION WITHIN THE DOT Alongside judicious use of resources and effective implementation of the DOT’s various programs, Frasco has also given special attention to reforms within the department. “We have sought to make sure that we take care of our people,” the secretary stresses. “My experience as mayor has taught me that as a leader, you're only as good as your people. And you need to make sure that those from whom you require excellence, service, and sacrifice, have a leader to turn to, especially in the performance of their job, and during times of difficulty.” Frasco shares that within six months after she took over, the DOT managed to renew its collective negotiation agreement with the DOT Employees Union. They have also provided free personal insurance to job order personnel. More importantly, there are now more opportunities for regularization as well as for ascension into a higher position and higher salary grade. More consideration has also been given to employees with special circumstances. For instance, they have launched the Child Minding Center for employees who are mothers. With this, mothers could leave their children at the center, to be supervised by accredited teachers while they are at work. With the DOT performing exceptionally well in the past two and a half years, Frasco is optimistic that the government’s goal of making the Philippines a tourism powerhouse will soon be achieved. Even as she thanks national as well as local government officials for their support, she also highlights the important role of ordinary citizens in achieving the government’s tourism goals. “In our effort to transform Philippine tourism, we have also sought to reignite in our countrymen this burning pride of place and love of country. Knowing that tourism is a force for good, tourism is a source of unity no matter our differences in political opinions, state of life, and geographic location. One thing that we all hold in common is our love for the Philippines. And so I encourage you, our fellow Filipinos to continue to show that love by traveling across the Philippines and by carrying the banner of the Philippines wherever you may go,” she ends.

00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003 < BACK SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian’s two-decade career as a public servant has been marked by his relentless pursuit of his vision for better governance. BY GODFREY T. DANCEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO The LEAGUE team arrives at the Senate building on a cloudy midmorning in October. The place is uncharacteristically quiet. Conspicuously absent are senators and their staff hustling from their offices to the session hall, officials from the executive branch attending hearings, foreign dignitaries paying courtesy visits, reporters trying to get a scoop, and ordinary Filipinos seeking an audience with particular senators. In a conference room at the second floor, however, a bicameral conference committee meeting is going on. It’s a hybrid meeting, with most participants—congressmen and senators, supported by their staff— participating online from their homes. Such has been the practice since COVID-19 radically changed the way we live, including the way Congress works. One senator, however, is physically present: Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy. Swiftly ironed out during the meeting were some inconsistencies in the House and Senate versions of the Microgrid Systems Act, the Upper Chamber version of which was primarily authored by Senator Win himself. The act is expected to fill the legal and policy gaps that have hampered the government’s total electrification program. “He’s the only senator who still physically reports to the Senate to hold hearings and meetings [despite Metro Manila being placed under Alert Level 4],” one of Senator Win’s staff members says. “He wants to have instant access to information during hearings.” Ever mindful of the value of time, the senator wants to be able to look at documents and confirm matters with the secretariat whenever the need arises—something he could not do if he were working from home. Clearly, it’s a win-win situation: all stakeholders remain safe from COVID-19 (strict health protocols are also being implemented at the Senate building), and legislative work goes on as it should. This comes as no surprise for those who know the senator well. Senator Win is a known workaholic, and also wants solutions implemented as soon as possible. Entering Public Service Senator Win’s two-decade career as public servant has been marked by his relentless pursuit of his vision for better governance. From his initial foray into politics at the age of 27, he has proven to be an effective public servant both at the local and national levels. “I went into public service because of many frustrations at that time in Valenzuela,” he says of his decision to run as Representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela in 2001. “I was then working in our family business, and I got to interact with the local government unit of Valenzuela. There were a lot of frustrations. It was a tedious task to secure a business permit, you had to talk to fixers, the process was confusing. Instead of just complaining, the young Win did what he thought was best. “Out of frustration, not only mine but that of everyone in Valenzuela, I presented myself as part of the solution. I was given the chance to serve one term as congressman and three terms as mayor, [and I used these opportunities] to provide solutions. Because I really believe that if you keep on complaining, nothing will happen. So you just have to do your share, do whatever you can to solve problems. Of course, you cannot solve everything all at once. But at least you’re there to lead the way.” He would later on return to the Lower House, serving for another three years. By then, he had become known for championing good governance and quality education, and fighting corruption. “After my stint in Valenzuela, I learned a lot… and I thought, maybe I can make a difference using that experience, this time on a nationwide scale. So I tried my luck. I ran as senator, despite the odds. Dahil yung surveys ko malayo. [Survey results had me trailing.] It was a blessing that I was given the opportunity to serve,” he recalls. Guiding Principles Senator Win describes his leadership style as “basic.” “I lead by example. I believe that every leader should be a good example. In the way you dress, the way you follow simple office rules, the way you come in early for work, that’s an important trait in a leader,” he shares. “At the same time, you have to shun corruption. If the leader is corrupt, everyone in the organization will be corrupt for sure. [Good governance] should start from the leader.” Senator Win also keeps in mind valuable pieces of advice from former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel. “Pag mapakinggan mo sya, marami kang matututunan,” he says. “I also watch a lot of videos of Barack Obama because everyone’s mesmerized with his eloquence. But at the same time, his policies as well as the way he handles crisis situations is admirable considering that the United States is a complex country. Then his way of analyzing and dissecting problems and executing solutions is also quite admirable.” The above, combined with his experience as top executive of a number of their familyowned businesses prior to 2001, have helped Senator Win remain true to his promise of being part of the solution to the nation’s problems. Prioritizing Education Education reforms have always been among Sen. Win’s advocacies. “In 2016, I campaigned under one advocacy: to remove tuition fees in state universities and colleges,” he recalls. “At that time, that was unheard of because people thought it’s financially and fiscally impossible.” Seven months into his term as member of the Upper House, Senator Win filed, together with Senators Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Sonny Angara, and Loren Legarda, Senate Bill 1304, which sought to provide full tuition subsidy to students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs). After another seven months, the bill was signed into law as Republic Act 10931. With the law, almost 1.7 million students in SUCs, local universities and colleges; and state-run technical-vocational schools now enjoy full tuition subsidy. “Malaking bagay yan (That is significant) because college was viewed as being for people who have the financial capacity. But now college is viewed as being for those who are qualified and should be supported [to have a better future] through a college diploma,” he explains. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, Senator Win is also well aware of the problems in the field of basic education. For one, he has a very firm stand when it comes to errors in basic education textbooks. “[Such errors are] definitely unacceptable,” he asserts. “We need to improve the quality of our textbooks and reading materials. I have flagged the Department of Education many, many times, to ensure quality and to ensure that the books are reviewed many times before these are released to our learners.” Highlighting the Need for Energy Transition Another of the senator’s advocacies is clean energy. While describing the move to clean energy as an imperative, he also cautions against haphazard steps that may prove costly in the long run. He has highlighted the need for a comprehensive transition plan that takes into account our bureaucratic structure, consumer welfare, and the fight against climate change. “Going renewable is inevitable. The whole world is moving toward that direction. It’s really just a matter of how fast we can do it. We cannot do it fast. That’s why the buzzword now is energy transition. We have to do it in a just and economical manner. In other words, we cannot rush into shifting to solar and wind. That will take time to build and the cost is substantially high,” he explains. All things considered, the senator is pushing for a well-studied transition plan that has to be implemented as soon as possible. “So it’s a transition, and we need to start that transition already. Unfortunately, our country has not yet started significantly, meaning we have the laws, some mechanisms in place, but a formal transition has not yet commenced. So that’s what I’m pushing for right now. To jumpstart the Philippine-style energy transition,” he stresses. Senator Win points to consumers’ price sensitivity, limited technology, and a complex bureaucracy as among the things that the legislature, the Department of Energy (DOE), and energy experts must take into account as we set out with the transition. Looking Ahead With a little over half a year left before the elections, Senator Win remains hopeful that key bills will still be approved by Congress. One such proposed law is Senate Bill 726, which seeks to penalize nuisance political candidates. The importance of tackling this bill, which he refiled back in July 2019, became more obvious recently, as almost a hundred personalities filed their certificates of candidacy for president. “Hopefully, that would get approved,”he says of the bill which he originally filed in 2016. “Parati kong pinupush yung nuisance candidate bill. Nakakainis na kasi yung mga taong pupunta tapos nakacosplay costume (I’ve always pushed for the approval of the nuisance candidate bill. It’s annoying to see people coming in as if they were going to a cosplay event),” he stresses. More than the physical appearance, however, it’s the intent that bothers him. “It’s really annoying to see people mocking the elections, mocking the system, and mocking our country, to be honest about it. It’s sad, but it’s the reality. Like this time, 97 persons filed their candidacy for president. Alam naman natin maraming matatanggal dyan. Ilan lang yung matitira. [We know that majority of them will eventually be disqualified.] People are just mocking our elections.” Still on political reforms, Senator Win co-authored a bill banning substitution of candidates due to withdrawal. With him as Senate Bill 2439 co-authors are Senators Migz Zubiri, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Joel Villanueva. “Recently, substitution became some sort of a political strategy,” he says. And it doesn’t only create instability in the process because obviously you cannot print the ballots right away. But again, in the same manner [as nuisance candidates do, substitution due to withdrawal also] creates a mockery of the elections.” The senator wants to avoid a situation where unscrupulous individuals would not only make a mockery of the system but actually benefit financially from it. “There could come a time when placeholders (those who file their candidacies but have no actual intention of running), would put their slots up for sale. So before it becomes that bad, we’ll remove that feature in the law,” he explains. Man on a Mission Senator Win has come a long way since entering the field of public service in 2001. One thing, however, has remained constant: his silent yet effective and dedicated style of public service has consistently borne practical solutions to the nation’s many problems. Buoyed by this, he has pledged to continue with his mission of helping bring about a worldclass yet affordable educational system, a competitive and investor-friendly energy sector, and electoral reforms. In the end, every piece of legislation Senator Win is able to steer to enactment into law, every improved government policy he is able to contribute to, every problem he is able to offer a solution to, is not only a personal victory for him. It is also a check mark in the win column for every Filipino.

< Back A Shared Vision in Service BY MARIANNE JANE S. ZARA AS PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF POLICE GENERAL ROMMEL MARBIL RETIRES FROM SERVICE, HE LEAVES A LEGACY OF A REFORMED INSTITUTION CENTERED ON THE CONTINUITY OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS INTENDED FOR A SMOOTH DELIVERY OF PNP SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND BOOSTING THE POLICEMEN’S MORALE. The Philippine National Police (PNP), whose mission is to enforce laws, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community, has often been in the spotlight of challenges and controversies. It thereby needs a leader whose dedication centers on service and integrity. As PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil approaches the close of his distinguished career, he leaves a legacy of a reformed institution now known for a smooth delivery of services, integrity, and having a force with high morale. As his personal goal alongside his wife is leaving the position unscathed with no corruption record, this value translates to the whole of the PNP—a true-to the-job, simplified police service of crime prevention and crime solution, as well as a trustworthy PNP. CHIEF MARBIL BELIEVES IN BUILDING ON EXISTING PROGRAMS RATHER THAN STARTING ANEW WITH EACH LEADERSHIP CHANGE, ENSURING A SMOOTH TRANSITION, SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS, AND CONTINUITY OF GREAT PROGRAMS IN PLACE. With a shared vision in service, his wife, Mary Rose Marbil, has supported the PNP chief unwaveringly and has shared the same vision, leading initiatives with heart, humility, and purpose. Her “LAB Virus” initiative has identified and assisted policemen across the country who are sick. The flagship project has certainly nurtured the humanity of each policeman under the project. Together, PNP Chief Marbil and Mrs. Marbil have redefined service, fostering trust, ensuring continuity, and boosting the PNP morale as a whole. A VISION ROOTED IN CONTINUITY For Police General Marbil, leadership was never about making a mark for himself. He dismissed the idea of leaving a legacy tied to him; instead, he emphasized the importance of building upon the foundations laid by his predecessors. He strongly believes in continuity, strengthening and improving existing systems and programs rather than replacing them for recognition. “I believe in continuity—that’s what I always do, continuation. What I did, as chief of the Philippine National Police, was just to fine tune or improve the programs of the previous PNP Chief. In fact, we retained the good programs and projects. We continued such as projects of the PNP itself. I don’t want to put names or labels and tie a project to a person. Because what’s happening here is that they claim that “this is my project,” so when the PNP chief is replaced, the new chief will discontinue the initiatives. He maintains that his role was to ensure good governance, value performance more than politics, simplify police service, and ensure effective crime prevention and crime solution. He resisted unnecessary personnel reshuffles of regional directors and prioritized consistency in leadership at the regional and provincial levels. He believes that personnel reshuffles will simply cause delay as there would be a learning curve and the new directors would need several months to adapt to the job therefore making him an ineffective leader. The new director would only have less than a year to execute the reforms, programs, and projects that he intends to do during his tenure. He also shares that the tenure of the PNP Chief spans about a year or two, and if they don’t focus on the continuity of programs in place, it would be harder to execute new policies. Marbil also adds that changes in programs and projects would change the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOEs) which could also delay the processing and execution of a program or project. He, however, believes in simplifying police work, investing in technology, and shifting the PNP’s strategy toward modern threats like cybercrime. He advocates for modernization, highlighting the need for AI-powered CCTV systems in combating modern crimes like cyber threats, as such can make crime predictable and preventable, shifting the focus to proactive policing. INTEGRITY AND PUBLIC TRUST The PNP Chief also emphasizes a police force that upholds dignity and earns public trust, recognizing that the reputation of the police hinges on internal discipline. He shares that the issue of public trust is because when policemen make mistakes, the other policemen use it as trophy points such that policemen highlight and boast that who they arrested are policemen. Therefore, it gets embedded in the public that policemen are kidnappers, or involved in robbery. “Because you make the policemen your trophy points when you make mistakes. ‘These are our policemen, they are involved in kidnapping. The policemen I caught are involved in robbery, kidnapping.' Just imagine, at the back of your mind, people will say police are kidnappers, or involved in robbery. I said, it shouldn’t be like that because it’s embedded in our people. It seems like you want to embarrass the organization so that you can say that you’re good. It shouldn’t be. Another example that the police general gave was the PNP having been blamed regarding drug problems or traffic in EDSA, which are both not under the PNP in nature but the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Metro Manila Development Authority, respectively. There is also a mix-up in the public’s perception of the assignment of the PNP. But under his watch, the PNP was reoriented toward internal discipline, and public trust, with a conscious decision to avoid political interference or superficial achievements. THE LAB VIRUS BY MRS. MARY ROSE MARBIL A former corporate professional, Mrs. Marbil transitioned into a public servant, a role supporting her husband’s mission and the welfare of police families through PNP OLC Foundation Inc. What was once a club transformed into a foundation that nurtures policemen, making them feel supported and valued. Her passion project, the “LAB Virus,” exemplifies her dedication to understanding and addressing the real challenges faced by police personnel nationwide. LAB Virus aims to identify policemen needing help and assistance due to sickness. WE MAKE SURE THAT [OUR POLICEMEN’S] MORALE IS HIGH. IT ADDS TO THEIR MORALE HAVING TO NOTICE THEM AND BUILD PROGRAMS FOR THEM. Her initiatives include extending financial and emotional support to families, especially those with critically ill members. She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining individual identity and supporting spouses in their pursuits, encouraging a balanced life amidst the demanding environment of public service. Through this project, Mrs. Marbil saw the bedridden officers, silent spouses, and responded to once-overlooked needs. Mrs. Marbil recounts a touching story as she implemented the LAB Virus project, a testament to how small acts of kindness ripple into greater trust and morale. “When the wife came, she didn’t say anything but ‘My husband is bedridden.’ She kept on repeating that until she started crying and hugged me. So, I ended up crying too. All she said was, my husband is bedridden. I just hugged her back. Then after that she said, maraming salamat maraming salamat kasi napapansin sila (thank you so much, thank you so much, you’ve given them the attention they need). Police General Marbil adds that there are programs being implemented by his predecessors such as a feeding program, and adopting a family under the Police Community Relations (PCR), which he strongly believes is already the mandate of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. “Our PCR has to be within the police community,” the police general says. He adds that initially, he didn’t like the Officers Ladies Club back when it was a club. That is why the organization’s leadership changed it to a foundation whose primary purpose is to look at the welfare of the police personnel: identify the policemen who are sick and extend help to these people. Mrs. Marbil brought professionalism, empathy, and structure to the foundation. Under her leadership, the OLCFI focused on meaningful service, offering moral and sometimes financial support to those in uniform. “We make sure that their morale is high. It adds to their morale having to notice them and build programs for them.” Mrs. Marbil adds. A SHARED VISION IN SERVICE What sets this couple apart is their deep alignment of values and objectives. Their conversations reveal a mutual understanding that leadership extends beyond policies—it’s about fostering trust, ensuring continuity, and nurturing the human element of policing. In fostering trust, they specifically chose people whose spouses will not meddle in the affairs of the PNP, especially when it comes to politicizing promotions. “Don’t meddle with your husband’s work.” Mrs. Marbil stresses. Police General Marbil proudly mentions that they already had plans to establish a system for promotions that would bring in the most competent candidates to lead the stations, at the municipality, city, or provincial level. In practice, the choosing of the provincial directors is up to the provincial governor, because that’s the law. But the general’s idea is to put the best candidates up for the choosing of the governor. To do away with politics, he led an initiative to make the system of promotion more performance based. “We improved the system of placements because before, the placements in PNP were controlled by the Central Office but now regional directors are given autonomy so they have accountability. For performance, we also improved a lot on the basis of individual and unit performance. We also improved the system to see the performance at their level. We want to see meritocracy that’s why we asked the help from the Ateneo School of Government to come up with better policy systems of placement and promotion. FOR PERFORMANCE, WE ALSO IMPROVED A LOT ON THE BASIS OF INDIVIDUAL AND UNIT PERFORMANCE. WE ALSO IMPROVED THE SYSTEM TO SEE THE PERFORMANCE AT THEIR LEVEL. WE WANT TO SEE MERITOCRACY THAT’S WHY WE ASKED THE HELP FROM ATENEO SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH BETTER POLICY SYSTEMS OF PLACEMENT AND PROMOTION. Moreso, we can remember the legacy of the Marbil couple’s partnership on how they changed the focus of the OLC from being a ladies’ club more for social gatherings to OLCFI which has a mission to aid the police community. The purpose-driven couple has empowered and enabled a social club to have a deeper purpose. With her limited time, Mrs. Marbil left a legacy of using the OLCFI as a platform to shift the focus to the police community, to relate to them, to see them, and to help them. Indeed, boosting the morale of the PNP through this paradigm shift. GROUNDED IN FAITH, UNITED IN PURPOSE Despite their busy schedules, the Marbils prioritize faith and service. Embedded in their leadership is a strong sense of faith. “Kapag pinagdasal ko, natutupad. [When I pray for something, it comes true.] I have faith in my prayers,” says Police General Marbil, explaining his belief that prayer and intention are key drivers of their success. Mrs. Marbil agrees, adding that she relied on quiet strength and trust during high-stress moments of her husband’s career. Their teamwork throughout the general’s term as PNP chief was very evident, as both focused on continuity, effectiveness, and the quiet power of purpose-driven work. They associate this with having the same principles. While one reformed the nation’s police force, the other ensured that the people behind the badge were seen, heard, and helped. Police General Marbil’s emphasis on internal reforms, such as decentralizing appointments and promoting performance-based advancement, was complemented by Mrs. Marbil’s focus on the welfare and morale of police families. Asked about the legacy they are leaving, both emphasized continuity and sustainability. Mrs. Marbil says, “We have the same objectives in mind that everything should be continuous, all must proceed as planned. There’s no such thing as ‘This initiative is just mine.’ ” Police General Marbil adds, “Dapat yung ginawa ko na ganoong kahirap, dapat ang makinabang yung next sa akin. Lahat ng pagbabago, ginawa ko dahil kailangan ko ayusin lahat. Dapat ang makinabang yung next set of leaders, yung next generation of police officers. Yun ang legacy ko. [Whatever I worked hard for during my term should benefit those coming after me. I did what I had to do in order to fix things. The next set of leaders, the next generation of police officers should benefit from such. That is my legacy.]” To those who were surprised by the unwavering support of the PNP chief to his wife Rose, “It’s because we’re aligned in our objectives and our direction. It’s just that we have the same set of guiding principles,” the police officer says. To Mrs. Marbil, her legacy is the foundation itself and she hopes that it will continue to help the police community in the future. They designed it in a way that they can be part of the board of directors so it would be easy for them to be consulted, if the new members need help, as a measure for continuity. At the same time, she mentions that they have drafted a playbook so that the program would be easy to sustain. I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO IN ORDER TO FIX THINGS. THE NEXT SET OF LEADERS, THE NEXT GENERATION OF POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BENEFIT FROM SUCH. THAT IS MY LEGACY. A MESSAGE TO THE POLICE FORCE “Let’s value our service. Let’s put dignity in our uniform. So let’s go with our mantra. Sa bagong Pilipinas ang gusto ng polis ligtas ka.” (In the new Philippines, the police want you to be safe.)” says Police General Marbil For Mrs. Marbil, it is support without overstepping, and “you always have to keep your identity within you.” To add to this, Police General Marbil says that it is also because of the identity of Mrs. Marbil who was part of the corporate world and is used to having all the systems in place that he tried to adapt. “I learned from her,” he says. FINAL THOUGHTS As their tenure ends, PNP Chief and Mrs. Marbil are looking forward to spending the days with family. To the PNP Chief, his parents who he didn’t get to be with due to far assignments. To both, it’s the board exams and the wedding of their daughter in the following year. Police General Marbil’s narrative reveals a leader who strives for an efficient and sustainable police service, that values performance over politics for a trustworthy police force. His emphasis on decentralization and internal discipline fosters accountability among police officers. Chief and wife Marbil’s story summarizes a vision of leadership rooted in service, integrity, and community. It highlights the importance of internal reform and genuine care for personnel. As they step back from their official roles, their hope is a PNP that continues to evolve toward an effective and trustworthy national police force. In an era where public trust is hard-earned and often short-lived, the Marbils offer a refreshing reminder that leadership, done quietly and sincerely, can leave a deep and lasting mark. LET’S VALUE OUR SERVICE. LET’S PUT DIGNITY IN OUR UNIFORM. SO LET’S GO WITH OUR MANTRA. SA BAGONG PILIPINAS, ANG GUSTO NG PULIS LIGTAS KA. (IN THE NEW PHILIPPINES, THE POLICE WANT YOU TO BE SAFE.

< Back LEADING THE BIR TOWARD THE RIGHT DIRECTION By Godfrey T. Dancel PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENJIE TOLENTINO Discover why BIR Commissioner Lilia Guillermo is considered a perfect example of the kind of personnel the BIR is looking for: competent and dedicated to public service. When you put one of the most powerful and dedicated women in the country in one of the most powerful government agencies, you get the perfect combination to come up with quality service that the people deserve. Such is the case with Commissioner Lilia C. Guillermo leading the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Guillermo, an alumna of the University of the Philippines Diliman, knew early on that she wanted to go into public service. “I was a scholar in the University of the Philippines, so I told myself that I have to give back,” shares the Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering graduate. And after over four decades of public service, she definitely has given back to the nation she feels indebted to. LOOKING BACK The commissioner’s educational background and her experience in other government agencies, like the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), have served her well as she handles the challenges at the BIR, this time as head of the agency. “I was taken in from BIR [where I was already an undersecretary] to DBM because of my background, because they needed an undersecretary to handle the digital transformation at the DBM,” she shares about her stint as DBM undersecretary and chief information officer. “So I went to DBM and handled the modernization of the Public Finance Management Program, from revenue generation to expenditure.” Simply put, her efforts helped bring about the timely and effective monitoring, allocation, management, and spending of public funds. “You know, the application of information and communications technology is similar all throughout, regardless of function, because as long as you know how application systems are developed, how infrastructure supports all of these applications,” she explains, referring to her successful efforts in the three important government agencies. “I’m a systems person, so it’s easy for me, regardless of the function, to apply development strategies for use in a particular field.” Guillermo recalls how she turned things around at the BSP. “There was no chief information officer (CIO) at the Bangko Sentral, so I asked the governor to designate me,” she says, referring to then-BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, with whom she also worked at the DBM. “I handled the modernization of the BSP internal systems, knowing that the BSP’s system should be better than that of the lower banks. So that was a big challenge. Another very important aspect which I introduced is data governance. This involved a whole of agency approach. It used to be that each of the different groups had their own system, so there was no single database. With several databases, management had a hard time accessing and making sense of the data.” As BSP’s CIO, Guillermo led the crafting and implementation of the BSP’s IT Modernization Roadmap of 2018-2023. Her success at both DBM and BSP came as no surprise, having previously spearheaded the BIR’s Tax Computerization Program, described as the biggest IT undertaking by any government agency to date. As challenging as the tasks she had to perform at the BIR, DBM, and DSB were, Guillermo took these on and passed with flying colors. “As I mentioned, if you have the support and the trust and confidence, the commitment of the management, that they will support digitalization of the systems and functions, things will go smoothly,” she says matter-of-factly. A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IS IN STORE Months into her term, Guillermo has proven once again that there is always room for improvement within the BIR. Just recently, the BIR was commended by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for being among the top 10 government agencies in complaint resolution from January to June 2022. “Actually, we follow the 3-7- 20 rule,” she reveals. If the complaint is simple, we see to it that it’s resolved in three days. If it’s of medium gravity, resolved in seven days, and if it’s quite a complex or technical complaint, 20 days. So these are the rules of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and its Action Center. We also have an office called the Public Information Education Division that actually handles the resolution of these cases. We see to it that valid cases are addressed at once.” With tax collection the major thrust of the BIR, Guillermo is bent on improving the agency’s tax collection performance. This, especially because of concerns raised in previous years about the BIR’s ability to live up to its mandate. “Actually, to improve tax collection performance needs action on both internal and external facets,” she states. “First, for the external, we see to it that we have enforcement programs like the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, [through which we identify and prosecute high-profile tax evaders]. We also have the Oplan Kandado through which we close businesses if they’re not paying taxes correctly. We have activities on broadening the tax base as well as intensified audit and investigation. As for the internal aspect, we see to it that we recruit the right people, that we have regular sessions on capability building. We strengthened budget management and our Integrity Management Program. And actually last but not the least, is our digital transformation program. And that’s [in line with] the call of the president, for the entire country to be digitally prepared, digitally transformed, so that we will be competitive.” HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Guillermo puts emphasis on the role of taxpayers in the success of the BIR and all of its programs. At the same time, she notes that while there are challenges, there has been considerable success in reaching out and working together with taxpayers and taxpayer groups. “Well the biggest challenge is partnership with taxpayers. [But one thing we have done is to reach out to] associations like the associations of lawyers, certified public accountants, and businessmen, like the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. During my first 100 days, I talked with them and discussed the direction the BIR is heading,” she reveals. “We want digital transformation as well as moral transformation,” Guillermo continues. “So we said that if BIR transforms or goes digital but if the taxpayers will not use it, it will not be successful. For example, with regard to the use of electronic receipts and invoices, we looked at 100 large taxpayers who have not complied. We explained they have to be prepared to be digitally transformed. And that’s a very big challenge because they say that they will have to revise their systems. They will have to allot a budget for it, and do so many other things. That’s a very big challenge for us. But with the help of the associations, through their coordination with us, we have made considerable progress.” “Resistance to automation of our systems is another matter,” the commissioner laments. “So that’s a very big challenge because I need cooperation from all taxpayers, big and small. We have to see to it that they embrace technology. They have to realize that the only way for us to really meet our targets, despite the economic conditions now, is to use technology.” Despite the bumps that the BIR leader has met in her efforts to transform the agency, she looks forward to a brighter future. “I hope that our transformation efforts continue and that we will be able to serve our taxpayers effectively so that they will be happy. I mean, it’s hard for them to comply, but they have to see clearly how technology helps us on these things,” she says, pointing out how important it is for taxpayers to see that the BIR’s systems do work. This, to her, will help convince taxpayers to embrace the BIR’s new systems and processes powered by modern technology. READY FOR MORE CHALLENGES Guillermo is confident that in time, the many challenges at the BIR could be resolved given a committed leadership with the right approach. “For [the BIR] to be successful, it starts at the top [echelon of government], she says. “And I’m very happy that the president and the secretary of finance have made digitalization a priority. Because really, without the direction from the top, it will be very hard. So for me, it’s a matter of getting commitment from top [officials of the land] and I know I have that, their trust and confidence.” As for the notion that an effective BIR commissioner should be a lawyer, a certified public accountant (CPA), or a CPA-lawyer, Guillermo has a categorical answer. “I don’t need to be a lawyer. I don’t need to be a CPA, either. I have very good lawyers, very good CPAs, around me.” What is important, she stresses, is that she knows the direction the agency should be heading, and she is ready to lead it to such. “I’ve been with the bureau for the past four decades,” she reveals. It goes without saying that she knows the ins and outs of the agency. “I understand procedures, processes, pertinent laws—both old and new. If there are new laws, I discuss these with my lawyers [so we could understand their ramifications and how these impact the BIR].” For Guillermo, heading the BIR takes unparalleled commitment to undertake actions meant to achieve all the set goals. “It’s really political will. As the head of this agency, I should have the political will to reach our collection targets so that the Philippines will be able to fund priority projects, and at the same time, political will to change the image of the bureau.” Doing things right is a crucial factor Guillermo has identified in cleansing the image of the BIR. “I know I cannot really stamp out graft and corruption [right away] a hundred percent, but I am sure we can minimize it. And I believe that technology will help us fulfil this commitment. Internally, we also have image-building efforts. We tell our people to really see to it that they will be fair and just in the performance of their duties. As for our new recruits, we tell them, “Please do not come here to enrich yourselves but to serve the country.” Guillermo is herself a perfect example of the kind of personnel the BIR is looking for: competent and dedicated to public service. REWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Guillermo, throughout her decades of dedicated service to the nation, has received rewards and commendations as validation of her excellence. A few, however, stand out and have personal significance to her. “One is [the result of] the World Bank Tax Computerization program, which gave me a break. I am a statistician but when I went into systems, it gave me a break [to serve the BIR and the country in another way, this time] through the proper management of important data. So because of that, I was awarded as one of the most powerful women in IT in the Philippines [for 2003], no mean feat because usually it’s the males who dominate the IT industry,” she declares. “And then, another significant recognition I received was the Presidential Career Executive Service Award given to me by the Career Executive Service Board in 2019.” Her promotion as DBM undersecretary and later on as assistant governor of the BSP are of particular significance to Guillermo, as she had previously thought that she would retire at the BIR. Her meritorious service, however, led her to the two other agencies. Of the two aforementioned posts, she considers the latter as the “most important step” in her career. “Whenever I was walking down the halls of the BSP building, I would keep telling myself I did not dream of being with the BSP, but maybe [being able to continue serving the country] is my reward [for the service I had previously rendered].” One thing that has moved Guillermo to unselfishly share her talent and do her best in the various capacities she has occupied in different agencies is the prospect of receiving “retirement benefits that are out of this world.” She continues, “for 40 years, I have worked not only for the country or for the government, but for the Lord. The ‘out of this world’ retirement benefits I expect to receive refer not to the material benefits, but the benefits that I will receive when I face the Lord.” SETTING OUT TO FINISH WHAT SHE STARTED As her term as BSP assistant governor and CIO was about to come to an end earlier this year, Guillermo’s name was floated as a possible BIR head. After all, she had had a long and fruitful working relationship with Diokno, whose name was then being floated as a frontrunner for the position of finance secretary. As the BIR is under the Department of Finance (DOF), their possible appointment to the BIR and DOF, respectively, presented a perfect chance for them to further collaborate, albeit in another department. “It was really hard for me to accept it,” Guillermo says of the offer to head the BIR. “But I told myself, maybe it’s God’s plan that whatever I started at the BIR, I have to finish.” With the wealth of experience that Guillermo brought with her in her homecoming at the BIR, as well as the continued confidence in her capabilities, she is sure to make a major impact on ensuring that taxation, from which the nation’s lifeblood flows, will be carried out efficiently and with utmost integrity. Editor’s Note: Commissioner Lilia Guillermo was replaced by tax lawyer and erstwhile BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Romeo Lumagui Jr. as head of the BIR in mid-November 2022. Buy magazine here