In celebrating Heroes Day (Araw ng Kagitingan) lawyer Augustinus “Dodong” Gonzaga said “we too can give our own share of sacrifices for our country today.” “Our quest for change and good governance can be an act similar to the indomitable spirit of our veterans, who, during those times when our country was subjected to the oppressive rule of invaders, stood up so that honor and justice may live,” Gonzaga said. Gonzaga who is the official city mayoralty candidate of the administration Liberal Party reechoed his call for deliverance of Tagbilaran City from neglect, abuse of power and the clutches of a dictatorial rule for the last nine years. Gonzaga was a product of public schools system who strived so hard for a good education. He was a veteran’s scholar being a son of a WW II USAFFE officer and mother who worked in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps. He had his law studies at the University of the Philippines. He is the first Boholano that became member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines National Board of Directors.

Both his parents worked with the government; - his father at the now defunct Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD) and his mother as public school teacher. “Their work ethics had been my guiding principle in my 20 years in government; to be honest and true to my job,” Gonzaga said. He added that he had now clearly seen the silver lining as his “call for change” snowballed throughout the 15 districts of Tagbilaran City generating the highest level of acceptance and support never enjoyed by any of the two other candidates aspiring for the city mayoralty seat. In the last Holy Name University Research Center Poll Survey results, voters’ preference for Gonzaga has rose to a phenomenal 30% mark of voters’ approval despite his being a late starter, compared to the eager bets Dr. Abe Lim and nephew John Geesnell “Baba” Yap who have campaign even before the election period begun. Gonzaga has for a running mate former vice mayor Jose Antonio “Toto” Veloso who also posted a commanding lead over his two opponents, incumbent vice mayor Jas Montes and Mariquit Oppus.

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 a 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. The team’s battle cry “Kausaban sa Tagbilaran” has penetrated deep into the grassroots level that had been clamoring for “deliverance” from the present rule of incumbent mayor Dan Lim, who allegedly impose a “one man rule” rejecting the participation of the people in charting a growth map for the city. Gonzaga’s two other contenders are siblings of mayor Dan Lim; John Geesnell “Baba” Yap is a nephew while Dr. Abraham “Abe” Lim, is his brother of the mayor. “The obvious intent to pass on power by the same people who share the same agenda should come to an end. We must stop it if we truly want this country to walk the “Daang Matuwid” vision of President Aquino,” Gonzaga said.