< Back Success in Perseverance BY RAGIE MAE TAÑO-ARELLANO Much praise has been sung for those who never learned or have shunned the idea of giving up. And while there is undoubtedly wisdom in knowing when to throw in the towel, every person knows the ultimate satisfaction of achieving something seemingly unattainable. In a world full of quick fixes and instant gratification, Manila City 5th District Councilor Roberto “Bobby” Espiritu II trudged forward until he attained a position, eager to bring their family name back to the city’s political landscape. It took him six years (or two electoral bids), but now he’s more than ready to make a difference. THE STIGMA OF LOSING Espiritu’s father, Felixberto, served as a Manila councilor from 1992 to 1998. He then attempted to clinch a congressional seat but lost. From then on, the Espiritus stopped vying for elective positions. After graduating from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the younger Espiritu then focused his efforts on making their businesses—bars and restaurants—grow. That could’ve been the end of the line for the Espiritu family’s involvement in Manila politics, but as fate would have it, their political history did not
end there. He shares that when former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was running for senator back in 2016, Domagoso approached him to run under his party as councilor. Espiritu didn’t win. “Siguro matagal din kasi kaming nawala [sa politika]. ‘Yung mga nakakakilala kay dad, matatanda na. ‘Yung mga bago, mga kabataan, ‘di na kilala [‘yung pangalan ng mga Espiritu] (I guess [we lost] because our family hasn’t been involved in politics for a long time. Those who knew my father are already old. Meanwhile, the new generation, the young adults, no longer know us),” Espiritu laments. But he tried again in 2019, still under Domagoso’s party when he was running for the mayoralty. Once again, Espiritu lost. “Hindi pa rin siguro natin panahon nun kaya hindi pa rin tayo nakalusot (I guess it still wasn’t the right time for us, that’s why we weren’t elected into a position then),” he muses. Espiritu admits that, at that point, he was discouraged from running again, believing that his loss in the 2019 elections marked the end of the Espiritus’ political career in Manila. Election campaigns are expensive, after all, and perhaps their lengthy absence from the scene became the final nail on the coffin. “Medyo napanghinaan kami ng loob noon, siguro hindi para sa atin. Kaya lang nung malapit na ‘yung filing [ng certificate of candidacy], nakita namin ‘yung clamor ng taumbayan na lumahok muli kami. Nakita namin ‘yung kagustuhan nila [na iboto kami] kaya sinubukan namin ulit (We were discouraged, thinking maybe [being a politician] isn’t meant for us. But when the filing [of certificate of candidacy] neared, there was public clamor for us to participate [in the upcoming elections]. We saw that they wanted us so we tried again),” Espiritu shares. “Pero takot na takot kami kasi [tumatakbo kaming] independent (But we were scared during the campaign because I ran as an independent candidate).” The 42-year-old councilor shares that campaigning as an independent candidate was a huge risk, but he was compelled to push forward because of the people. And as can be expected, none of it was easy for Espiritu: “It’s difficult to run as an independent [candidate] because you are alone. No one is there for you. Down to the setting up of campaign sorties, [you are alone in taking care of] needs like sound system, stage set-up, meetings, etc.” It was quite an experience, and it also taught him that attaining victory depends more on one’s real desire to serve. Because of the challenges he faced, alone, during the 2022 campaign, Espiritu particularly cherishes the memory of winning a seat in the city council. Espiritu also believes his victory in the 2022 elections was an indication that the people saw his sincerity to serve. He says that while he may be new to the position, he does not consider himself a neophyte to the ins and outs of politics and public service. After all, he served as the chief administrative officer of the Office of the City Administrator during the tenure of Domagoso. Even during his younger years, he would tag along with his councilor-father when the latter would visit their constituents in the same district he now serves. His father would later on serve as city administrator under Domagoso. CALL TO ACTION Espiritu believes his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic also helped him win because it allowed him to demonstrate to the people his desire to serve, even without a government position. He began with his “Isang Linggong Ayuda (One Week Assistance)” project, in which they distributed a bag of pan de sal (bread roll) to low-income families in various barangays every week. Pan de sal, according to him, may not be that much, but he believes that they were more than enough to fill the stomachs of hungry families, especially considering how many breadwinners lost their jobs. “It’s really difficult if you get sick and you are financially incapable. I am hoping that we will have a good healthcare system here so that even our low-income families would not have a hard time if they get sick. “ KA-BUDDY As councilor, healthcare is one of Espiritu’s top priorities. This is because he witnessed his family’s struggle with serious health conditions. At the age of 13, Innoh, his younger brother, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), stage four. It was during this time that he had his first failed attempt at running for the city council in 2016. His younger brother is now cancer-free, but their plight during his treatment made the family witness the downheartened situation of cancer-stricken children at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). During his time as a councilor, the focus of the older Espiritu was also on medical services, and he brought doctors from the United States (US) to do free surgeries. Inheriting the same focus, in a way, Espiritu is more concerned about his constituents who cannot afford to spend for medical services. “Medyo pagka wala [kang pera], financially incapable ka, medyo mahirap na kaagad ang laban pag nagkasakit ka. ‘Yun ang pangarap natin na sana one day, magkaroon tayo ng maayos na healthcare system dito na kahit ‘yung ating mga low- income families, hindi mamomroblema pagka sila‘y nagkasakit (It’s really difficult if you get sick and you are financially incapable. I am hoping that we will have a good healthcare system here, so that even our low-income families would not have a hard time if they get sick),” says Espiritu. To help solve the issue, Espiritu commissioned an ambulance for his constituents who do not have easy and free access to the use of ambulances in the district. He explains, “It is very expensive to avail of ambulance services. The ambulance service from home to hospital already costs Php25,000. So if you are a low-income family receiving only Php30,000 a month, how could you afford it? Moreover, every second matters when it comes to heart attacks and stroke incidents.” He established the free “Ka-Buddy helps rescue vehicle,” which transports patients to Manila City government hospitals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Another of his programs
is the “Ka-Buddy Caravan” program wherein they conduct anti-dengue misting, feeding program, and pet anti-rabies vaccinations. The program also provides free haircuts and mostly aims to help students in public elementary schools. In case of emergencies, the barangays have hotlines, and there are “Ka-Buddy volunteers” spread around the district to help. They also assist in facilitating admission to government hospitals. TOURIST BELT AREA Aside from health, Espiritu is also currently focusing on reviving businesses, especially since the 5th District is the tourist belt area in Manila. Their district covers Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Port Area, San Andres, and South Paco. He recently authored the Anti-Business Harassment Act in the City Council, in support of efforts to make their district more business-friendly in order to attract more investors. After all, it is not only Chinatown in Binondo that characterizes Manila. The local government, according to Espiritu, is currently promoting Korea Town in Malate, and will soon develop a Little Tokyo or Japan Town, and India Town as well. The councilor remembers the period when tourists flooded Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard and the growing local economy, which soon afterwards spread to Malate. This boosted the economy of Manila by creating jobs and promoting a healthy money flow. Espiritu claims that the economic activity in the Malate area is currently sluggish and that this is why he intends to revive the area’s once-flourishing activities. “There are jobs if the local economy is very active. Money and the economy circulate if there are jobs,” he stresses. UNITY IN THE MANILA COUNCIL Although Espiritu ran as an independent in the 2022 elections, he is confident that his efforts and projects will be successful because he feels the support of his fellow councilors. He takes satisfaction in serving in the Manila City Council, since everyone there is united in their desire to make the City of Manila better. He is hopeful that they will achieve their goals because they are all walking in the same direction under Congressman Irwin Tieng, Vice Mayor Yul Servo, and Mayor Honey Lacuna. With this level of support, Espiritu is looking at a bright future for the people of Manila’s 5th District.

< Back COMMUNITY-LED ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES THRIVE IN BARANGAY MANDARAGAT, PUERTO PRINCESA BY TREISHA C. ROVERO Discover community-driven environmental initiatives in Barangay Mandaragat, Palawan, and the revolutionary plastic waste program in Barangay Sto. Niño, Quezon City, highlighting innovative solutions and teamwork for a greener future. Barangay Mandaragat, a coastal barangay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is now maintaining its reputation as a community of environmentally responsible citizens doing community-driven initiatives such as coastline cleanups and waste management. Aside from championing waste management efforts for 10 years now, they have again started to mobilize the barangay residents since January 2024 in doing weekly coastal cleanups. Barangay officials lead in the coastal cleanup efforts to show that they too are committed to protecting the environment. They have been implementing creative methods in waste handling. This includes establishing 13 vegetable gardens to help biodegradable wastes be recycled with the help of what they call a “bio-man,” the one who collects and transports waste directly to the gulayan and uses it as fertilizer for the vegetable crops. With this program, they were able to collect solid waste that includes residual wastes such as plastic packaging sachets, thin films, and grocery bags they kept for waste collection since there are no available waste bins in their streets and alleyways. This also helps to discourage residents from loitering around as well as to lower the amount of waste they bring into the city’s sanitary landfill. This grassroots effort not only tackles immediate environmental concerns but also fosters a sense of collective responsibility and pride in safeguarding their surroundings by including barangay officials, tanod, purok officials, and beneficiaries of 4Ps. Such initiative epitomizes the power of local action in combating the global challenge of declining coastal environment. Barangay Mandaragat sets a commendable example that one small step can lead to a profound impact.

8534d104-870b-464c-9163-af7b1536d1a7 < Back THE MAYOR IS ALWAYS IN By empowering and investing in his people, the Koronadal mayor hopes the city will change for the better. BY MARIDOL RANOABISMARK PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO Listening to Koronadal City Mayor Eliordo Ogena’s story is like sitting on your grandmother’s lap, wide-eyed, while taking in anecdotes that restore your faith in mankind. The city chief admits that he’s not a moneyed politician like his opponent in the last elections, who comes from a well-entrenched local political clan. But he won the race, hands down. “After the end of my last term as Vice Governor of South Cotabato in 2010, some people said I should have run as governor, but I coudn’t. I didn’t have the money,” he admits. The governorship was the next logical step after Ogena ran unopposed for his last term. He had previously served as a board member for two terms (1995-2001). As a local legislator, Ogena championed the welfare of South Cotabateños. His legislative legacy includes the banning of open pit mining as stipulated in the Environmental Code of the Province of South Cotabato, Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship Program for poor but deserving students, Purok Empowerment ordinance, and excellence award systems. The above pieces of legislation reflect his aspirations to empower and institutionalize bayanihan or the spirit of volunteerism among his constituents and his strong ideology for the protection of the environment for the next generation of South Cotabateños. Since he didn’t have enough campaign funds to run for governor, Ogena tried—and succeeded—to secure the vice-mayoral post of Koronadal. He went on to serve for three terms, from year 2010 to 2019. It turns out the people were observing him all along. They saw Ogena roaming the streets of Koronadal, condoling with a family whose loved one passed away. They had him celebrating with them during special occasions like weddings. They didn’t hesitate to approach him when they needed something for their families. In short, he was always there for them. Ogena says it’s because he swears by people empowerment. After all, it is the people who put him in a position to serve. It is also they who have the power to remove him from office. “We have to liberate our people from the bondage of poverty. "WE HAVE TO LIBERATE OUR PEOPLE FROM THE BONDAGE OF POVERTY. AND THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS THROUGH EDUCATION, CREATING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM, PROVIDING BASIC SERVICES, AND USING MY POWER FOR GOOD.” And the best way to do it is through education, creating job opportunities for them, providing basic services, and using my power for good,” says the new mayor. FIRST 100 DAYS The human rights lawyer says he can only use his power for good if he has the funds to bankroll projects. So one of the things he did during his first 100 days as mayor was to create a technical working group for special projects. Its job is to solicit funds from government officials and agencies. Ogena explains that his budget of Php1 billion is “not much” to meet the people’s needs. He needs five times as much. It’s because this mayor aims high. First on his to-do list is to make the city clean and beautiful, to make his job of promoting his city to local and foreign tourists a lot easier. While waiting for necessary funds, the mayor has tapped the city employees to make the town plaza— the city’s version of Manila’s Rizal Park—more attractive.

< Back JOY OF SERVICE “While we should seek leaders who are passionate and inspired, and who have great ideas, it’s also important to find those who more than simply having a vision also have a road map. BY KRISTEL DACUMOS-LAGORZA PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENJIE TOLENTINO MAKEUP BY FLOE TAPAYAN OF KANEBO HAIR BY ERRIZA SANTIAGO With 142 barangays under its wing, Quezon City has become the largest city in terms of land area in Metro Manila (occupying 161 sqm of land), and is the most populated to date, with an estimated three million people residing within its six districts. More than just a major central business district, Quezon City has grown to become a well-respected historical arts and culture hub—home to the People Power Monument, Mowelfund Institute, and Museo Recoletos, among others. It is also the locus of the country’s most important government operations such as the House of Representatives, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Social Security system (SSS), the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) office, and many more. To date, there are about 125 national government offices and 25 government-owned and controlled corporations with headquarters in Quezon City. Indeed, Quezon City is an integral player and major force when it comes to national economy, because of its size and influence, and keeping this city functioning like a well-oiled machine and servicing its millions of residents and visitors requires a keen, forward-thinking leader. And for years, it has found one in its current administration led by Mayor Herbert Bautista. And by his side, working in tandem for three terms, is Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who has proudly proclaimed her intentions of leading Quezon City into the next period of progress as she completes her third and final term as vice mayor. Of her plan to pursue the mayorship, she reveals: “After serving as vice mayor for all these years, I think it’s a natural progression for me to run for the next highest post. Also, I think being a mayor or a local chief executive provides the perfect position wherein I can enact greater change. They say that if you want change to happen, it’s really in the local level,” reveals the youthful and inspiring leader, who also is the daughter of former Quezon City mayor, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, and the late founding chairman of The Philippine STAR Betty Go Belmonte. PROVING HER METTLE Belmonte, with her kind face and bright disposition, may seem at first glance to be soft and timid for her role, but she is made of sterner stuff and has proven her mettle as a worthy leader. When she had first run in 2010 for the second highest position in the local government, she was met with certain doubt by other politicians, as she was a neophyte in public service. However, Belmonte—unknown to many—had already been training to become a leader since her youth. Belmonte graduated with a Social Sciences degree from Ateneo de Manila University and spent a year working as a teacher with the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines, leaving behind a lofty lifestyle and a pampered childhood. For her first assignment, she was sent to Bukidnon to serve the underprivileged folk, teaching history, values education, physical education, and music. In the far-flung communities, which had no running water or electricity, she lived with the people, ate with them, laughed with them, and worked with them. In return, she gained a greater appreciation and understanding of their plight. And from that invaluable experience, a fierce desire was ignited: “I wanted to be an effective agent of change.” Click here to read full article for free

ABOUT US LEAGUE takes you into the heart of local governance in the Philippines, showcasing the best of the country - its people and leaders - where they are, how they thrive, how they lead, and how they succeed. History of LEAGUE Since 2017, LEAGUE Magazine has strived to become a trusted, non-partisan publication that shares the best practices of local government units and national government agencies through relevant and informative features. Over the past years, we have scoured the country, seeking exceptional leaders and outstanding communities and organizations that have captured the potential we wish to achieve as a nation. Through their stories and by their examples, we’ve been inspired and uplifted. We thank you, our readers and partners, who have been with us from the very beginning. We hope to build and nurture even stronger ties with other public servants and organizations who share in our vision for a better Philippines. With every issue, we hope to further encourage and engage all to take part in greater nation-building. Pilipinas, #AngatLahat! Who Are We LEAGUE Magazine is the country’s leading publication dedicated to featuring stories of inspiring Filipino leadership, innovation, progress, and best practices in local governance. We share the best practices and bridge the archipelago. What We Do League covers the latest stories about art, culture, sports, food tourism and more. Our team of skilled content creators are experienced and passionate about what they do, and are here to provide you with insightful stories about the topics that interest you the most. We’re an independent and reliable voice in the Online Magazine world. Contact us today MISSION To be the trusted and non-partisan publication on best practices of national and local governance by delivering relevant information and valuable insights. VISION To encourage and inspire leaders to share best practices in nation-building. LEAGUE

< Back THE ART OF PEACE Taking a look at Mayor Arnado’s efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the war-torn town of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte BY MARCO NICANOR PHOTOS BY BON ASERIOS OF ONE HAPPY STORY The humble municipality of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte has come a long way from being a hotbed of the Moro insurgency and mired in poverty to being an internationally acclaimed beacon of peace and prosperity. At the helm of this transformation is Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, achieving this though strong political will and consultative governance. Born and raised in Kauswagan, Mayor Arnado was disheartened upon returning from the United States in 2008 when he saw his beloved hometown in a dismal state. The scars of heavy fighting between insurgents and government forces—among them burnt houses and other damaged structures—were clearly visible. He then vowed to help his impoverished municipality recover and sought the mayoralty post. Since his 2010 victory and subsequent landslide reelections, he has tirelessly focused on providing new skills and looking for better livelihood opportunities to improve the living conditions of his constituents. “The first thing a mayor should be able to do is to identify the problem of the place he has to run and to articulate how he will go about solving it. Only then will he be effective,” shares Mayor Arnado. He believes that the passion to help, although a prerequisite for public service, is not enough to effect positive change. Instead, it should be tempered with critical analysis in eradicating problems. He asserts that the root cause of their problems was not really the lack of peace and order, but hunger and poverty due to the lack of empowerment and capacity and the cultural biases and discrimination faced by Muslims. PLANTING THE SEEDS OF PEACE In order to address hunger and poverty, the good mayor championed the initiative called “From Arms to Farms: Walking Through the Paths of Peace.” This was achieved through consultation and convergence with nongovernmental organizations and people’s organizations through the Assisi Foundation, and later supported by the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Training Institute. The Arms to Farms program covers all the efforts to develop and capacitate former rebels through organic farming and all those who are open to make it as their livelihood by not only subsidizing their cropping, but also helping them through all the facets needed for their farming, fisheries, and livestock ventures to be successful. The local government provides aid by giving farms access to irrigation and fertilize, building good and passable roads, and ensuring the market for their produce. Click here to read full article for free

< Back All The Way For Bocaue BY EDWIN ALLAN C. DIAZ SINCE CHILDHOOD, ALL BOCAUE CITY COUNCILOR JAMELA “JAM” MENDOZA EVERWANTED WAS TO ENTER PUBLIC SERVICE AND MAKE EVERYONE’S LIFE IN HER TOWN BETTER. When the father of Bocaue Municipal Councilor Jamela Charisse “Jam” Gabriel Mendoza told her that the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were pushing through, she did not hesitate to file her immediate resignation. “Balita ko tuloy na daw ‘yung SK [elections]. Gusto mo ba? (I was told that the SK elections will resume. Do you want to run [as SK chairman])?” he asked Mendoza over lunch. One week later, Mendoza departed Rustan’s, where she handled luxury fashion brands for Store Specialists, Incorporated (SSI). “Noong mismong week na iyon pagbalik ko ng office, nag-resign ako kahit hindi ko sure kung mananalo ako [sa eleksiyon] (That week, after returning to the office, I resigned even though I was not sure if I will win [the elections]),” Mendoza tells LEAGUE. A LEAP OF FAITH Fortunately, Mendoza won by a landslide as SK chairman of Barangay Bunducan in 2018. She would later become the SK Federation president of Bocaue and an automatic ex-officio member of Bocaue’s Sangguniang Bayan, representing the youth sector. As a municipal councilor, Mendoza authors ordinances and resolutions for Bocaue. She also chairs the committees on Rules and Privileges, Youth and Sports Development, and is the vice chairman of Education, Tourism, History, Culture and Arts, Women, Children and Family, and Human Rights. At the provincial level, she’s also the vice president of the SK Federation of Bulacan Province. SK is the governing body of the Katipunan ng Kabataan of a barangay. They create resolutions and initiate programs to develop the youth and carry out their objectives. They may also hold tax-exempt fundraising activities and ask for assistance from the National Youth Commission (NYC) to implement its projects. No matter what hat she wears, one thing’s always for sure: Mendoza’s all in for Bulacan. AN OPEN INVITATION FOR IMITATION Before becoming SK president, Mendoza was already working with CIBAC (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) Partylist for a scholarship program. CIBAC initially gave her 20 slots for college students, transferrable upon graduation. Now, she has 200 slots (10 per barangay) and a Php15,000 incentive per scholar, courtesy of Senator Joel “Tesdaman” Villanueva. Mendoza’s scholarship program is just one of the multiple projects she’s proud to share with LEAGUE. “My mindset is for Bocaue,” Mendoza says when asked if she ran as SK president solely for Bunducan. Upon assuming office, she authored Municipal Ordinance No. 19-099, titled “Empowerment of Sangguniang Kabataan in the Municipality of Bocaue,” giving Php1,500 worth of allowances and honoraria to SK secretaries, treasurers, and kagawads every quarter. Ordinance 19-099 is the first of its kind in Bulacan, according to Mendoza, with the total amount decided by the federation. “As a president and ex-officio member of the sangguniang bayan, that’s the first thing I prioritized for my fellow youth,” she explains. The SK Leadership Congress is another youth-oriented program, with the theme “Strengthened Youth Leaders Towards Excellence and Partners in Good Governance.” The team building and leadership seminar gathered all Bocaue youth leaders together, teaching them the importance and significance of public service so they could be effective leaders. Organized by the late Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna and the SK Federation of Bocaue, the congress ran from October 24 to 26, 2019, in Zambales. Mendoza also launched the annual Brigada Eskwela (BES) in 2018 and the Balik SKwelahan Online School Assistance in 2020. The first distributed school supplies and established a feeding program for students during Nutrition Month. Meanwhile, the latter gave students online learning materials, such as USBs, phone stands, and face masks, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years later, BES has given over 1,000 module bags containing reading materials, pens and pencils, correction tapes, and crayons. College and master’s students also received Php1,000 so that they could buy what they need for school. Mendoza also upgraded the feeding program to accommodate all Bocaueños, not just students. But classes were not the only things that transitioned to a virtual setup. SK Bulagaan sa Bunducan, their fiesta, was held on Facebook Live in 2021. Hosted by Mendoza and SK Kagawad Eugene Silvestre, it is patterned after typical noontime shows, complete with a raffle, games, and prizes. Everyone from politicians and influential individuals, to Bocaueños and sponsors expressed their warm wishes and shout-outs in the comments section In 2022, Mendoza and her team hosted Simpleng Kabuhayan para sa Kabarangay (Simple Livelihood for our Neighbors in the Barangay) and Bagong Taon, Bagong Kasiyahan sa Bunducan (New Year, New Happiness in Bunducan). With the success of Bulagaan, these were also on Facebook Live. Bagong Taon followed a TV format, identifying beneficiaries for Simpleng Kabuhayan. They gave away Php 15,000 worth of ice scramble, milk tea, and fish ball livelihood packages, including training and equipment, to five indigent members of the community. To further showcase the youth of Bunducan, Mendoza launched the annual Halloween Trick or Treat and Basketball League in 2019, as well as the Hari at Reyna ng Bunducan (King and Queen of Bunducan) pageant in 2023. “It’s our job to maximize their full potential and develop them even more to become the best version of themselves.” MAXIMIZING EVERYONE’S POTENTIAL Mendoza believes that everyone has unique skills, particularly the youth. She acknowledges, though, that she is concerned that they are not yet maximizing the youth’s full potential. “Kahit sabihin natin na (Even if we say that) they already have talent, I know and believe that there’s more to it. And it’s our job to maximize their full potential and develop them even more to become the best version of themselves,” Mendoza says. She adds that they are taking the necessary steps to ensure the youth fully develop their skills. A Bocauelympics (portmanteau of their town’s name and the iconic sports competition, the Olympics), focusing on sports and a summer camp, is in the works this year. Another is the Bocaue Youth Center, which will house a multi-purpose gym, library, conference rooms, and a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training area. Mendoza says the center is already under construction, and it was funded by Senator Bong Go. LEADING FUTURE LEADERS The SK is not Mendoza’s first foray into leadership or service. Ever since she was a child, she has been exposed to leadership roles. “Up until I reached 4th year high school, I ran for president of the supreme student government,” Mendoza says. But it wasn’t until Mendoza’s selection for “Boy-Girl Officials” that her eyes were opened to the possibility of government service. One of Bocaue’s longest-running youth programs, the municipality selects one boy and one girl, ages 13 to 17, from public and private schools. For one week, during Linggo ng Kabataan (Youth Week), participants will assume the duties and responsibilities of local government leaders. They will draft resolutions, meet the mayor, and study what the local government unit (LGU) and municipal council are doing. “Boy-Girl” participants are guided by their counterparts—the mayor, vice mayor, councilors, and department head—says Mendoza, who has been in charge of the program since 2018. She has expanded it to include a five-day field trip around Bocaue and allowances for all participants. Some of the destinations include the San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Nory’s Restaurant, Shrine of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, Karilagan Stevia Farm & Pavilion, and The Garden at the Philippine Arena. Mendoza, too, had sound parental advice. In love affairs, her mother and three brothers all took part in how she would dress up and even vet potential suitors for her; and in public service, her mom and maternal grandfather convinced her father to let her resign and enter public service. “Dreams do come true, but only if we act and turn them into reality. “ EVERYONE’S “ATE (ELDER SISTER)” Mendoza’s tight-knit relationship with her family, especially her siblings, equipped her with the necessary skills to be a youth leader. “Kapag may kailangan sila, ang takbo nila kay ate, hindi sa magulang namin (If they need anything, they’ll run to their big sister, not our parents).” The ex-officio councilor recalls the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having projected their 2020 budget, around Php800,000, they used it for their COVID-19 response instead. Mendoza even used her personal funds to help anyone in need. “Nagbigay kami ng ayuda, grocery package na sobrang daming nakalagay, para makakakain sila ng isang buong araw. Very helpful, at the same time in-address mo din ‘yung problema ng nakararami (We gave aid and loaded grocery packages so that they could eat for the whole day. It’s very helpful, and it also addresses the problems of many),” Mendoza says. Even though Mendoza caught COVID-19 twice, her family did not stop helping others, even pledging to feed the entire community. “Kunwari dad ko, silang magkakapatid, sasabihin, ‘Okay, isang street sagot ko, tulungan din sa family namin na makatulong din sa iba (My dad and his siblings would say, ‘I’ll sponsor and help feed residents along an entire street,’ the whole family will help others),” Mendoza says. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE Mendoza admits to LEAGUE that her tenure with SSI was fun since she handled fashion products. She also oversaw customer relations and managed their staff. So when Mendoza visited her former company in 2018, she surprised everyone. “Nagulat sila kasi after [leaving], councilor na ako. ‘You’re a councilor already?!’ parang ganun sila bigla sa ’kin. ‘Ang bilis!’ Ganoon ‘yung nangyari. Masaya ‘yung previous work ko (They were surprised because I was already a councilor. They were like, ‘You’re a councilor already?! So fast!’ That’s what happened. But I was happy at my previous work),” Mendoza says. However, she couldn’t be any happier because she knew she had a higher calling. All the pieces were already unfolding in front of her, even before she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Major in Marketing degree from De La Salle University (DLSU). “Dreams do come true, but only if we act and turn them into reality,” Mendoza says on her YouTube channel, Jamela “Jam” Mendoza. Whether it’s giving a full-body general checkup to senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) or collaborating with a famous grocery store for a one- minute take-everything challenge, Mendoza’s all the way for Bocaue.

651de2bf-8542-4722-bd5e-7c09719eb1f9 < Back ACTS OF JOY Ibaan, Batangas’ first lady chief hustles to fulfill her and her people’s dreams for their beloved town. BY MARIEL ABANES PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO I started to fall in love with Ibaan even before I became a politician,” Ibaan, Batangas Mayor Edralyn Joy A. Salvame fondly says. Everyone in the town knows her story. Mayor Joy isn’t a native, but she spent a good amount of time as chief operating officer (COO) of their family-run business, Ibaan Electric Corporation. Despite holding a top position in their company, it didn’t occur to her back then that one day, she would step up to become Ibaan’s local chief executive. “We did not plan for it, nor did we have plans to enter politics. Kasi, sino ba naman kami? (Who are we, anyway?) We’re not even from here,” she recalls. It’s destiny, she believes, that paved the way for the mayoral seat. Regardless of where she originally hailed from, her gut told her that she’s fated to serve the town of Ibaan. DIVING INTO POLITICS “It was a little bit crazy on my end,” the 37-yearold public servant answers when asked about her experience in running for the municipality’s top position. Mayor Joy’s first foray into politics started more than three years ago, when she was tapped to join the vice mayoral race. Their business encountered problems because of bureaucracy, and the then-COO thought, “Kung kami ngang may kapabilidad, inaapi, iniipit, at ginigipit, paano pa kaya ‘yung mahihirap at walang kakayahan? (If they can oppress us who have the means, what more with the poor and powerless?)” Eventually, she was convinced to take part in the elections—and won in 2016. Her stint as vice mayor opened her eyes to what the public really needs. Known for her surprise visits downtown, she mingled with her constituents to look for possible solutions to problems. As vice mayor, Joy became aware that she can only do so much. “That’s the time that I realized, either I stop or I run for an executive seat. I cannot help them the way I wanted to—I wanted to touch their lives. Kailangan mas may puso (We needed to show more compassion),” she remarks. In the recently-held elections, she battled face to face with the biggest names in Ibaan’s political circle for the mayoral position. Never mind her opponents calling her dayo (outsider)—Mayor Joy knows where her heart is, and it’s in serving the people. Her sincerity shone through. “Naging totoo lang ako. (I stayed true to myself.) I don’t have to make promises; I have to act. Sabi ko sa kanila, aaksyon lang ako (I told them I will just walk the talk),” the mayor recalls. Come the canvassing of votes, throngs of her supporters voluntarily gathered in the precincts to watch over the votecounting a first in the town. That’s also the moment Ibaan made history—Mayor Joy won the elections, thus becoming the town’s first lady chief. More than a personal victory for her, however, it’s a sign that better days are coming for Ibaan. THE IBAAN PROGRESSION Millennials would refer to Mayor Joy’s style of leadership as “No chill.” As part of that generation herself, she understands the meaning of “hustle.” Add her work background in a corporate setting into the mix, and you have a public servant who thrives in a demanding and fastpaced culture. “I felt like I’ve been serving for a year!”she admits. “If nobody told me to slow down, I really wouldn’t. There’s one time, I was seated in my office. May nagsabi sa’kin, ‘Ma’am, magdadalawang buwan ka pa lang, relax lang! (Somebody told me, ‘Ma’am, you’ve been here for just about two months. Relax!)” Mayor Joy’s enthusiasm comes from the challenge presented before her—to give the town of Ibaan a much-needed boost. As a young mayor, she incessantly puts her best foot forward and delivers what needs to be done, without delay. In other words, she’s a certified workaholic. And it’s fine, because she loves her job. After all, Mayor Joy didn’t take this seat to dilly-dally. She’s here to take action. Proof of her being a woman of action? She had a steady roll fulfilling her targets for her first 100 days. “As mayor, you have to look for sources [of funds],” she relates. There’s the ongoing construction of the Pasalubong Center in People’s Park, which will offer Ibaan’s habi (woven) products and other local delicacies such as tamales, sinaing na tulingan, and liempo. The van terminal will also be rehabilitated, focusing on the improvement of sanitation, construction of a food hub, and installation of charging stations with free WiFi access. The chief executive also aims to put closedcircuit television (CCTV) cameras on all entry and exit points around Ibaan for improved public safety. Scholarships are also given out, with some grantees to be sent to Taiwan to study robotics. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainings are ongoing. For job seekers, the mayor created a continuous “job dropbox,” where people can drop off their resumes in the municipal hall and the local government unit (LGU) will send their applications to companies looking for the perfect new hires. Interviews will be done locally, too. Of course, agriculture is also a priority especially with regard to cacao and coffee production, as well as livestock, particularly piggery. She’s also planning to put up a trade post and fix the waterworks in the market. Environmental issues are also being addressed. But it doesn’t end here. Mayor Joy sees Ibaan as a future “smart city,” and kicks off this journey by advancing services of the municipality through technology. Soon to be launched is an app which offers information about everything Ibaan has to offer. The LGU’s social media accounts, including the mayor’s personal account, are very active in informing citizens about the affairs of the town. Transparency is king, Mayor Joy believes. Apart from all of the abovementioned, there will also be programs for senior citizens, persons with disability, the LGBTQA+ community, single parents, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). They will be given livelihood programs and other social services that could help improve their lot. It’s a lot to fulfill, but Mayor Joy dreams of bigger things for her beloved town. “Everything starts with a dream. But for now, I’ll make it a goal. Doon muna tayo (We focus on that),” she proudly says. LEAVING A LEGACY On pressing matters, the mayor stresses what she truly wants to champion. “Basically, the advocacy is to give them a better life,” she says. Being just at the beginning of her three-year term, and without plans of immediately seeking a higher post, Mayor Joy is biding her time while sincerely serving the people of Ibaan. She remembers what her parents instilled in her since she was a child, which is to work from the bottom all the way up. She sticks to her truths yet treats everyone with respect. You can say she’s a woman of steel. Mayor Joy stresses “Dapat may ngipin. (You have to be strict.) You have to have discipline, you have to know where the line is. You have to know kung kailan ka matapang at kailan ka hindi. You have to know when to use your heart at kung kailan ka gagamit ng utak. It’s a difficult thing, pero ang importante, ‘yung walang naaagrabyado. (You have to know when to be strict and when not to be. You have to know when to use your heart and when to use your mind. It’s a difficult thing, but what’s important is that no one gets a raw deal.) This is politics, but serving doesn’t need politics at all.” The townspeople admire her for this. It’s validated by the simplest of ways—she is loved. The lady town chief brings up memories of citizens dropping by her office just to say hi, give her a hug, and say their thank yous. The love is well-appreciated, it encourages the mayor to carry out her duties to the best of her ability. From inviting investors to the town to assisting the youth for their betterment, the passionate public servant dedicatedly answers the call of those in need. By the end of her term, the mayor just wants people to remember her as Joy Salvame, no longer a stranger to the town of Ibaan. She is just a normal person who fell in love with this quiet town, saw its potential, and served its people wholeheartedly. “Ang pamilya namin ay walang hinangad kundi ang makatulong sa kapwa (Our family wanted nothing else but to help others),” she ends. With a few more years to extend dedicated service, we’ll see Mayor Joy flashing her confident smile as she works hand-inhand with Ibaan’s locals whom she’s treated as her own.

< Back HOPE FOR THE NATION Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano shares his views on how the agency gives hope to the Filipino people. BY GREG HUBO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA, JR. In recent years, the Philippines has experienced the effects of climate change with stronger typhoons and multiple natural calamities, putting the lives of Filipinos at great risk. With the phenomenon bound to continue, the information that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),provides becomes increasingly important. As PAGASA administrator Dr. Vicente Malano puts it, “Our work is tantamount to the protection of lives and properties.” For Dr. Malano, the crucial role of the agency in dealing with natural disasters, such as typhoons, is inevitable; when natural disasters happen, people look to information providers like PAGASA, and the agency strives to be competent enough to provide what is needed. Dr. Malano, who became PAGASA’s head in 2013, has logged over 37 years of service with the agency and is continuing so to this day. However, like most people in the industry, his humble beginnings wasn’t as easy. He recalls, “I joined PAGASA through the training program, the in-house training program in 1981-’82. So I was accepted as one of the members or the employees of PAGASA in 1982 after the training. The training was a meteorologist training course. Before you enter PAGASA, you should undergo this training program.” After staying for two years, he passed the qualifying exam in the University of the Philippines (UP) to get his Masteral Degree in Meteorology, and soon after, his PhD. It can be said that Dr. Malano really worked his way up the ranks. After training in 1981, I started as a meteorologist. Meteorologist 1 and 2. Then the position was renamed to weather specialist but it was essentially the same.” In 2010, he headed the National Capital Region Division and went on to be the deputy of operations. After former administrator Nathaniel Serbando stepped down in 2013, Dr. Malano was the clear choice to be PAGASA executive. MOVING TOWARD A BETTER INFORMED FILIPINO PEOPLE To the public, the task sounds simple, “Run PAGASA well and oversee PAGASA on how you’re going to manage its operations,” but what PAGASA is here for is very crucial. When it comes to information concerning natural disasters such as typhoons, “Lahat ay recipient ng information na meron kami.” (Everyone is a recipient of the information we have.) ”Dr. Malano would like to believe that PAGASA is not remiss, saying that it is an agency that puts primacy in information for its services. “From data collection, processing, then dissemination of information, warning. Then coordinating with other agencies like local government units (LGUs) for disaster prevention, climate projection, and complementary to the services of other departments.” He envisions PAGASA in partnership with other government agencies, LGUs, and global partners in disseminating the information the agency gathers. “Dapat magiging kaakibat o ka-partner nga in terms of disseminating our information kasi kahit na gaano pa kaayos ang iyong forecasting kung hindi naman naintindihan ang information mo, wala rin,” (They should be our affiliates or partners in terms of disseminating our information because even though we are efficient at forecasting if the information cannot be understood, it will be useless,)” Malano says. “The coordination of agencies is important because people look to PAGASA and other information providers such as Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)” to counter the increasing risks brought about by natural disasters. Dr. Malano believes that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 is a huge boost for his vision. “The act gave a clear-cut role to the different government agencies. Disaster risk reduction and management is not the job of one information provider. It should be the collective effort of agencies,” he points out. Click here to read full article for free

BACK THE Philippine Diplomacy’s 123 M odern Philippine diplomacy was born in the crucible of revolution. On June 12, 1898, the First Philippine Republic was established in Kawit, Cavite, while Filipino revolutionaries pressed against the last Spanish holdout in the Far East, Intramuros, the Walled City. The Republic’s President, General Emilio Aguinaldo, would send a 39-year old lawyer, Felipe Agoncillo, on a daunting diplomatic mission to the United States and Europe to secure recognition for the fledgling Republic. THE FIRST FILIPINO DIPLOMAT Agoncillo was trained in the best of European legal traditions. It was no surprise that he could argue in the language of the international law of the time. But President William McKinley would only receive him in a private capacity at the White House. It confirmed Agoncillo’s early suspicions that the Americans, who had earlier declared support for the Filipino revolutionaries in their fight against Spain, were not to be trusted. By then, the Americans and the Spaniards had already reached a secret agreement to exclude Filipinos from negotiations for the colony’s future. Agoncillo would write a series of diplomatic notes addressed to the US Senate, the US State Department, and to the American and Spanish peace negotiators in Paris. These were all ignored by imperialist and racist imperatives unwilling to recognize the new Philippine Republic. THE Philippine Diplomacy’s 123 BY ATTY. ROMEL REGALADO BAGARES* 50 YEARS OF AMERICAN TUTELAGE On December 8, 1898, the American and Spanish governments signed the Treaty of Paris (TOP), in which the latter ceded the Philippines to the former for US$20 million. The next half century would see the Philippines under forced colonial tutelage. American rule gradually introduced Filipinos, in the words to McKinley’s Instructions, to “certain great principles of government” that were “essential to the rule of law and the maintenance of individual freedom.” The better part of such education would be spent by the Philippines as an unincorporated territory under an American flag severed from the American constitution. In 1934, the US Congress passed the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which declared that upon the planned grant of Philippine Independence in 1946, the Republic of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction, control, authority and sovereignty over “all territory….the boundaries of which are set forth in Article II of the Treaty of Paris of December 10, 1898, together with those islands embraced in the treaty between Spain and the [US], concluded at Washington on the 7th day of November, 1900.” Yet the following year, while drafting the 1935 Constitution under American tutelage, Filipino constitutionalists made sure to re-state into it the metes and bounds of the TOP regime as integral to national territory. Delegate Vicente Singson Encarnacion, the principal sponsor of the National Territory Provision (NTP), argued that it had become necessary to embody the International Treaty Limits (ITL) in the Constitution as well and transform it into a binding international instrument, because, according to him, the Americans cannot be trusted to honor their word; after all the world then only knew an international law founded on “la fuerza de los cañones.” Thus, a colonial document was transformed by the Philippine colony into an anti-imperialist tool. THE PHILIPPINES AT THE FOUNDING OF THE UN In late 1945, towards the closing stages of the World War II, a Filipino delegation led by Carlos P. Romulo, participated in the drafting of the United Nations (UN) Charter. Along with India, a colony of the British empire, the Philippines was allowed to take part in the founding of a new international organization that, it was hoped, would usher and shepherd nations under a new era of lasting peace. At the UN Charter discussions, Romulo and other Filipinos delegates fought for the recognition of the right to self-determination in the founding document. Just as well, because the very next year, on July 4, 1946, the Philippines would be granted independence by the US pursuant to the Tydings-McDuffie Act. In preparation for that, the US State Department organized the Philippine Foreign Affairs Training Program to formally train the first groups of Filipinos in post-independence diplomatic and consular work. The brainchild of Edward W. Mill, it selected the first 40 Filipinos to serve for the diplomatic corps of an independent Republic of the Philippines under a new Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This founding corps of post-independence Filipino diplomats would serve the DFA well. In 1950, Filipino diplomat and lawyer Jose Ingles argued in advisory opinion proceedings before the international Court of Justice in favor of UN supervision of South Africa’s trusteeship over South West Africa. The diminutive Romulo would cut a giant figure in the next decade in world diplomacy. He stood tall in the campaign for the drafting of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. He served the UN General Assembly as president from 1949 to 1950 and as chair of the UN Security Council in 1957. THE UDHR, BANDUNG, AND THE INTERNATIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS Any discussion of Romulo’s legacy would not be complete without a careful look at his role in the pathbreaking April 18-24, 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia. Bandung is recognized as an anti-colonialist gathering of decolonized or decolonizing states that paved the way for the birth of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961. Bandung enshrined the power of the hitherto impossible— the “Spirit of Bandung” that challenged for the very first time the well-entrenched imperialism in the international legal order. Romulo, with Lebanese diplomat Charles Malik, appeared on the scene not only as an anti-colonialist, anti-imperialist advocate, but also as one of the loudest voices at Bandung for the universality of human rights. The two of them successfully fought, over vociferous Chinese objections, for the inclusion of firm language in the Conference’s Final Communique that substantively acknowledged the UDHR as a founding document for a new international legal order. The historical records show that at Bandung, Romulo sought a “dual negation” of the dominance of the First and the Second Worlds, and the condemnation of all forms of colonialism and deprivation of civil and political rights, whether in the East or in the West. This, despite Romulo’s creds as a true-blue American ally in the context of a deepening Cold War. In his own account of Bandung, he documented having tangled with China’s Zhou En Lai, who argued that there is only one colonialism that must be spurned by everyone—that of the West. In the end, as the Final Communique would put it, Bandung radically redefined colonialism, affirming that “alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of human rights.” Around the same time, the Philippines also began articulating a vision of national territorial sovereignty ironically founded on the legacy of the Treaty of Paris’ ITL. Following the 1935 Constitution, the DFA would seek the international community’s recognition of the country as the world’s lone mid-ocean archipelago with its own unique set of maritime security needs. Indeed, for the next seven decades, this was one of the few non-negotiables of Philippine foreign policy, through such issues as Parity Rights, the long presence of US Military Bases and Philippine dependence on American military might for its external defense, and the rise of the Communist movement in Asia, among many others. FILIPINO DIPLOMATS AT THE HELM OF SELF DETERMINATION Our fine diplomats would struggle hard well into the 1980s for full recognition of the country’s sui generis view of the emerging Law of the Sea, even against the position taken by the former American colonizers. By the 1960s, the Philippines was one of the newly independent states that headlined a successful campaign to establish mechanisms to implement the promises of the UDHR. In fact, within three years of its drafting, the Philippine Supreme Court would rule in two landmark cases that its provisions were binding norms of customary international law. With colleagues from Jamaica, Liberia, Ghana, and Costa Rica, Filipino diplomats, especially Salvador S.P. Lopez, worked at the UN to establish mechanisms to implement an International Bill of Rights. They argued that protections already enjoyed by citizens of the West should likewise be granted to the citizens of the newly-decolonized states. These mechanisms—such as the UN Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—transcended state sovereignty and provided the foundations for the universal promotion of human rights. A noted literary writer and Romulo protégé, Lopez was instrumental in the creation of the ICCPR’s individual complaints mechanism. Through this mechanism, citizens can take their governments to task for failing to carry out their obligations under the covenant. Such a distinguished history is difficult to square with the present dispensation’s claims that human rights is being weaponized against the country’s right to self-determination. For the diplomats of the Philippine diplomacy’s golden era, such self-determination cannot be divorced from respect for the universality of human rights. As our part of the world turned inward and, in Leon Ma. Guerrero’s fine phrase, sought an “Asia for Asians,” Lopez, an old-school liberal, would also pave the way for a more cosmopolitan approach to Philippine foreign policy. He would eventually succeed Romulo as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and later follow his mentor to the University of the Philippines (UP), where he served as a short-lived but well-loved presidency as the state university was plunged into the great societal upheavals of the 1970s. But Martial Law under the late strongman former President Ferdinand E. Marcos would sever his old ties with Romulo; his mentor, almost to the very end, served Marcos without hesitation, even despite undeniable violations of gross human rights committed under his administration. MANILA DECLARATION’S ENDURING LEGACY Perhaps, one of Romulo’s enduring legacies cemented late in his foreign affairs career was his role in the drafting of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. The Declaration was pushed by member-states of the Non-Alignment Movement, namely Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Romania, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, and the Philippines. Its initial draft, at Romulo’s instance, was crafted by the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization which met in Manila. The final form was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly by consensus on November 15, 1982 through resolution A/RES/37/10 or the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes. “For the first time,” writes an international legal scholar of the Manila Declaration, “a normative text develops a comprehensive plan and a consolidation of the legal framework of peaceful settlement of international disputes.” The Philippines’ resolve to follow the Manila Declaration’s principles would be tested soon enough. Following the ouster of Marcos from power in 1986, as well as the termination of the US-Philippine Military Bases Agreement in 1991, the Philippines would be confronted with the rise of a neighbor—the People’s Republic of China—as a New Great Power. China began to flex its military muscle, powered by unprecedented economic progress. Pursuing its nine-dash line claim, it would encroach on much of the South China Sea, including maritime territories held or claimed by the Philippines. In 2012, a standoff between the Philippines and China over the Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborogh Shoal), a rocky outcrop about 124 nautical miles west of the coast of Zambales, led the Philippines to pursue an arbitral case under the compulsory dispute settlement mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In July 2016, the UNCLOS Tribunal handed down an Award that essentially won for the Philippines all of the points it had raised against China, which had opted for a strategy of non-participation in the proceedings. It held that China’s nine dash-line claim to the living and non-living resources in the South China Sea actually consists of “a constellation of historic rights short of title” that is “incompatible with the Convention to the extent that it exceeds the limits of China’s maritime zones as provided for by the Convention.” Such a victory, however, entailed the abandonment by the Philippines of its long-held constitutional position that the expanse of its maritime territories are governed by the Treaty of Paris regime. Its reverberations continue to be felt today. Atty. Romel Regalado Bagares has Communication and Law degrees from the University of the Philippines and a master’s degree from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He teaches International Law in two Manila law schools.