T Dr. Abraham Neri Lim (ANL) was relaxation and peace-mindedness personified when we met for this interview. Not a young man in a hurry, nor an old man bidding adieu, but a mature individual at his prime, ready to take life as it is. With the other politicians all agog with winning the electoral derby and, therefore, concocting gimmicks in their earnestness to be visible to the curious public, this soft-spoken Doctor treats the issue with nonchalance. For him, there are other ways of disseminating his advocacies to the people. He talks to them personally. No big, bombastic “sound and fury.” Just simple and ordinary conversation with a small group interested to know him. This way he feels closer to them, and they closer to him.

LMP:The reason why you came back to Bohol is to serve the Tagbilaranons through public service. In the past interview that we had, you mentioned that this is your payback time. Many are gratified with your decision.

ANL: God has been good to me and my family. This time, I wish I can serve the Boholanos as a public servant.

LMP:You must be aware of the issues, both local and national, so you can define your stand on them.

ANL: Precisely. That’s why I go around... talk to the people... so I will be apprised of the issues, especially the local ones which are my primary concern.

LMP:As far as the entire country is concerned, how would you assess the issue on Charter Change? Most particularly, we have the Senate and House of Representatives two houses with one goal. Would it be an advantage if there is only one legislative body?

ANL: For me, it is more advantageous if there are two houses for legislation. Just like in England, there are the House of Commons (elected officials) and the House of Lords (Royal family). Each house checks and balances the other. We are in a democratic country with 3 branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary, independent from one another, in a check-and-balance governance.

LMP:You would like to subscribe that the two houses for law-making should remain for check-and-balance?

ANL: Yes. What I don’t like is the negotiation process. For example, the House of Representatives passes a Bill and the House of Senate also does the same. Both bills are the same but with different perspectives. Then, the negotiating chamber does the next move. This is a balancing procedure. It’s just that, the law is compromised and the purpose is diluted, because of the vested interest of some higher officials.

LMP:So, there will be a big problem?

ANL: It would not result to that, if what they are up to is the good of the people.

LMP:One of the criticisms thrown against the Senate nowadays is their continued clash with each other, and endless investigations that hamper their real function. Weeks ago, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, declared his position vacant because of his conflict with some Senators. Everything started with money. What can you say about it?

ANL: It’s not good to see that they are arguing because of money. Their purpose is the benefit of the majority among the Filipinos, not on how to keep power.

LMP:One of the reasons why these Senators reacted that way was because they were not given the exact share of funds. You said earlier that what’s best for everyone should be prioritized.

ANL: That’s their mandate.

LMP:Let’s talk about this “Gun-Ban.” In America, there were incidents months ago, like the gun-shooting in a movie house that took many lives. What is your stand on the total gun-ban issue?

ANL: For me, it should not be a total gun-ban because only those decent citizens who follow the law are prohibited. How about those criminals? The same is true here in the Philippines; instead of giving those people the right to bring firearms for protection they are now deprived. There was a funny story about the two cities in American, one in Arizona and one in Texas. Their government required every citizen to have guns. The purpose of this system was to study if firearm incidents would increase because in Arizona the average number of bank robbery per year was four. But it did not, because the criminals were aware that if they did such thing, they would be out-numbered, since everyone was bringing his own firearm.

LMP:There was a robbery that took place at SM in one of its jewelry shops weeks ago. I would like to ask you now... has the time come when the people are suffering from too much poverty that they do such crimes even in public?

ANL: For some people, but there those who are part of a syndicate. These people only want money and power. For them, this is the easiest job to do. Another problem... witnesses are afraid to testify against these criminals. So, until now they are still roaming around freely, looking for more victims. We have our social responsibility to do, and all of us are involved in it.

LMP:When we talk about social responsibility, even a business establishment is obliged to create ways and means for the benefit of everyone in the community. In America, how do they translate social consciousness?

ANL: In the U.S., it is more on customer-service. Their social responsibility is to give donations to organizations that provide programs and project for the development of the community. When we talk about involvement, it is not only the initiative of the government, but the private sector should also take part in it.

LMP:Let’s talk about our graduates who are jobless. Many of them took their courses because of their plans to go abroad after graduation. What is your comment to that?

ANL: The problem is that we are basing our future on what is in demand as of the moment, without thinking the possibility that the time will come the market becomes saturated. Of course, the value depreciates, and the supply and demand is affected. If we have the desire to succeed, we should take our own initiative on what’s best for us, not on what others want us to be.

LMP:Can you comment on the sense of maturity in public service?

ANL: A public servant, especially one given heightened responsibilities should have a sense of maturity, not only in age but exposure. Being a leader is not a joke. It needs inculpable decision-making and strong leadership, which are offshoots of experience. An office – helm needs strength of character which can only result from maturity and fortitude.

Dr. Abe Lim believes the people of Tagbilaran have acquired a sense of maturity in their attitude in the way they make assessment of the things surrounding them. “Nakahibalo na ang mga taga-Tagbilaran mosukod ug mohukom kon kinsa ang may kaakuhan ug kapasidad pagtabang kanila.” There are those who believe that a fast runner may stumble. Abe Lim is an International Marathoner. He knows his pace. What is important is arriving at the finish line, not through glitz and glitz, but through dedication and commitment.

(Website: www.loypalapos.com; email: loy.pal@gmail.com; cellphone: 09498345957)