Amid the outpouring of shock, grief and sympathy, the death of Erico Aumentado, until the evening of Christmas day, the second district congressman, came like of both lightning in broad daylight to Boholanos who know him up close and personal. More so to Boholanos whose lives he touched in his lifetime when he served in several capacities in public office—from senior board member, vice governor, then as governor for three terms and finally as second district solon the second time around. An incumbent lawmaker , he was up for reelection if not death claimed his life in a short lived battle with pneumonia. He died Tuesday evening at the St. Luke’s Hospital Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila. For two days, DYRD’s top-rated radio program, ‘Inyong Alagad’, was inundated with calls recalling happy days and fond memories with Cong. Aumentado.

In those radio interactions, callers who chose to remain anonymous while many others made no qualms to identify themselves, paid glowing tribute to the life and times of a fallen leader who served Bohol with great distinction. Although made in the form of a formal press statement, one standout of a tribute came from an outspoken resource person who can be considered both as a constructive Aumentado critic and admirer at the same time-- depending upon the issue at hand that he was asked of his two-cent worth of comment. Always a hot copy every time he opens his mouth, the outspoken, topnotch lawyer Victor de la Serna said the “passing of Erico Aumentado marks the end of an era, the golden era in our political history when our public servants once served with utmost honesty, humility, and dedication to the public welfare, devoid of a any desire for personal profit, and the penchant for the accouterments of power in the best tradition of past governors like Gallares, Pajo, Bernido, Lino Chatto and others. This era is now gone”.

But in typical and vintage de la Serna, while he was all praises to Erico’s distinctive traits as public servant, the lure of taking potshots to the current crop of politicians did not escape the lawyer’s sharp tongue. He said: In contrast, we now have a new breed of politicians, rascals and scoundrels really, who thrive on massive thievery of public funds, scandalous sale of public assets, in order to enrich themselves and their cronies. They swagger around as if they own the lives of the people they are suppose to serve, and also their public office to continuously persecute and harass their perceived political enemies, even long after the elections has passed. Truly at his element when the subject of discussion was the crooks of the political realm, the big-time lawyer said Aumentado’s passing not only marks the end of an era, it also marks the end of “delicadeza” and self-respect in public service. While he admitted that the lawmaker had his faults and shortcomings for sure, de la Serna said that in the five decades that he has served the people, he has accomplished several milestone projects which made the greatest impact in “our lives today and to the coming generations of Boholanos”.

The rest of de la Serna’s tribute to Aumentado read:” First, surely, other Boholano leaders may have contributed their share (parochial as they may be) but it was Aumentado who brought into full realization the Bohol Circumferential Road Project. Second, despite the strong pressure from the greedy Cebuanos, Aumentado has somehow managed to connect Bohol directly to the geothermal plant in Leyte before it goes to Cebu. Today, if we enjoy somehow a cheaper electric bill, we have only Erico to thank for. Third, with utmost focus and dedication, EA has placed into the list of priority project the Bohol International Airport which is now in its incipient stage of development. And finally, to say the least, EA in the five decades of his positions in power and influence, he never even attempted to set up his own family dynasty, unlike the emerging and fearsome group of would be family dynasties when in fact they are nothing but a bunch of rascals and scoundrels. Surely, the death of EA will greatly affect the political group he purportedly belongs though EA remains-- ephemeral and elusive. But, if the death of EA was needed to prevent this emerging breed of political scalawags from grabbing power in our province, then, EA would have achieved with his death, the greatest gift he can give to us, the final eradication of rascals and scoundrels from our political landscape. Indeed, a life well-lived in the service of his people, and a death to achieve a much greater cause. Rest in bosom of our Creator, Compadre. You deserve it”.

ARRIVAL HONORS

The remains of the late legislator arrived from Manila at about noon time yesterday aboard a Philippine Air Lines flight. On hand to meet the remains of Aumentado were provincial officials led by Gov. Edgar Chatto and V-Gov. Concepcion Lim. Upon arrival, Aumentado who was regarded as some sort of a local folk hero, was accorded planeside military honors courtesy of troopers of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion. Members of the Philippine National Police served as pall bearers. A short religious ceremony presided over by Msgr. Jeffrey Malanog, vicar-general of the diocese of Tagbilaran was held at the airport. From the airport, his body was loaded in a fresh-flower decorated open body vehicle and immediately brought to Ubay via the east route. Stopovers were made in each town of the motorcade route. The motorcade was symbolic for Aumentado in recognition of his efforts to have the Tagbilaran-Ubay road concreted. From Ubay, his remains will stay for a two-night vigil to be held at the Ramon Magsaysay Cultural Center. From his hometown in Ubay, his body will be brought via the north road whose concreting was also part of his mega projects. According to a family advisory, the solon’s remains should be at his residence along Calceta St. not later than December 31.

Final arrangement will be known later after his remains will lie in state at the Calceta residence whether a Capitol vigil will take place according to schedule. As former Capitol occupant—as board member, vice governor, and finally governor, protocol dictates that a vigil should be held at the seat of power of the provincial government., Capitol vigil arrangements are already in place, according to sources close to the Aumentado family. The announcement also indicated that his interment will be held on January 5 after a requiem mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral. He will be buried at the Victoria Memorial Park. Former 802nd Brigade Commander General Jesse Dellosa who is now the AFP chief of staff, will attend the burial and will give an award to the family now headed by Mrs. Perigrina Aumentado.