Like the Promise of Resurrection, the former glory of a peaceful, friendly and prosperous Tagbilaran City will rise again with the end of a despotic rule after the May 13 elections. Liberal Party official candidate for city mayor Augustinus “Dodong” Gonzaga, in an interview yesterday shared optimism, full of hope and certainty as his family joined the whole Christian world celebrating Easter Sunday today. The lawyer- former city councilor said his call for a total change “Kausaban sa Tagbilaran”, the “Daang Matuwid” path of a transparent and a pro-people governance had now gained a step-up momentum as the campaign period kicked-off Friday going to election day. His determination also to pursue corrupt acts of the outgoing administration has added new dimension to his image as a true leader that would protect, above all, the interest of the taxpayer-citizenry.

Commenting on the answer of his closest rival John Geesnell “Baba” Yap who appeared to have washed his hands in a radio interview regarding a graft expose involving his uncle outgoing city mayor Dan Lim, Gonzaga said: “that is expected and is no surprise. Baba, being blood-related, will always cover tracks involving his kin.” “Baba is the nephew of Dan Lim while another candidate, Dr. Abraham Lim, is a brother of the outgoing mayor. If Tagbilaranons commit the same mistakes, the city will again be in wrong hands,” Gonzaga added. The Gonzaga advocacy for clean governance, accountability, better services and equal opportunity for all had generated tremendous support in all 15 barangays of Tagbilaran City. Gonzaga came out the No. 1 choice in a recent radio survey conducted by the top rated “Radyo Merkado” primetime morning program heard over DyRD-AM. The random survey was made after the Candidates Forum initiated by the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held at the University of Bohol Gym, this city. The lawyer-city mayoral candidate garnered 70 listeners in his favor, against Baba Yap trailing behind with just 65 votes. Third candidate Dr. Abraham “Abe” Lim, brother of outgoing city mayor Dan Lim got a dismal three votes.

The question posed by the radio program to listeners was: “who would you vote for Tagbilaran City Mayor if election is held today?” Gonzaga is the only lawyer among the three mayoralty aspirants for Tagbilaran City. John Geesnell “Baba” Yap and his uncle Dr. Abraham “Abe” Lim are running for the same positions. Besides being the only candidate with an educational stint at the Harvard University Law School in the United States, he was also a researcher during the 1971 Constitutional Convention that ushered a new era for the country. Gonzaga has an equally competent slate, with former city vice mayor Jose Antonio “Toto” Veloso a his runningmate. The Gonzaga-Veloso Express is bolstered with a power-packed line up for city councilors: Pilo Bumaat, former bank manager; Jonas Cacho, aircraft engineer; Nato Concon, BS in accountancy; Greggy Gatal, UP Philosophy; Atty. Bryan Gaviola, Human Rights advocate; Aleckoy Lim, former board member and topnotch lawyer; LJ Lumayag, civic leader and entrepreneur; Dodong Polinar, former Bukidnon board member; Djingo Rama, former city councilor, crusader, best known as “Mr. Expose” and Betty Torralba, incumbent city councilor, champion of women’s rights. He had laid out a platform of government which would pursue self-reliance, an empowered people, and lot of opportunities for everybody in terms of livelihood and economic upliftment. Rehabilitation of city roads comes on top of Gonzaga’ priorities but he would pursue these gigantic rebuilding of the city not by loans but by the city’s own internal resources and support of allies like Congressman Rene Relampagos (1stDistrict-Bohol) and Gov. Edgar Chatto. Gonzaga declared he abhors “money politics” and that he is pinning victory from the hands of responsible city voters that would pick competence, integrity against popularity and money. (30)