Seeing him again after two weeks, I noticed he has acquired a slight tan. Clearly, he was busy in the campaign trail. Surely, he must have learned a lot meeting and conversing with people. Noticeable was his contented aura ensconced in a newly acquired confidence of a man who would soon be at the helm of City Hall. The smile was still there, but this time more determined and contagious. But in politics even the improbable is made to happen. Peddling lies against an opponent is a norm. Hitting below the belt is a common occurrence. Only a few politicians could be relied upon as a practicing Christian in the political arena. Number One Councilor John Geesnell “Baba” Lim Yap II is one of them.

Like the other candidates whom I interviewed in “Nangutana Lang,” who experienced it live for the first time, Baba Yap at first was apprehensive, but he learned speedily. In the succeeding interviews, he became a polished communicator. In his first live radio interview, I asked him how he assessed his “kaaway” in politics. He abruptly corrected me. “Dili kaaway, kon dili kaatbang” was what he said, which made me know the young Lawmaker is not in politics to wage war, but to present himself as an option for change.

This interview took place at the Buzz (ICM) last week when I chanced upon him and a companion. When I asked for an ambush interview, he willingly obliged.

LMP: What is the feeling of Baba Yap as a politician, with the election some days ahead?

JLY: We feel propped up, motivated, and determined to reach the finish line. We can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. Right now, there are some people who are trying to blackmail us, post black propaganda against our group, but still our foundation is strong and no one could rock it.

LMP: Is it not that, if an opponent resorts to black propaganda (things which are unfounded), this would show that he is panicking?

JLY: Probably, Sir Loy. But we think it is an SOP from the other side. In their gatherings they say bad things about us, rumors, issues, with no basis, of course. They were saying, I was not able to graduate from college, and why would I be an example for the youth. I answered them in the radio, telling everyone that I finished my 4-year studies at the University of San Carlos. They are hitting us way below the belt. (Laughs)

LMP: What is the feeling not as a politician, not as a public servant, but as a human being hit that way?

JLY: I just laughed those issues. It so funny and childish. They also addressed me as immature to be a City Mayor, but I am not affected because I know who I am, and what I am capable of. On the other hand, they are the ones acting like a child.

LMP: You are a public servant, you have served the public for 3 years. What is the feeling of a public servant after 3 years, considering the capacity to serve more?

JLY: We still have the desire to serve on a larger scope. When you are a City Councilor, you have limits, you cannot fix the roads, supply water, provide electricity, etc. Now, we are open to more responsibilities along the way.

LMP: Do you believe it’s “kayang-kaya?”

JLY: We know, we can do it.

LMP: In the slate that you have now, what is the feeling of the entire group at this stage of the campaign?

JLY: We have been together for so long, that our relationship is already like a family. We treat each other like brothers and sisters. We work as a family and as a team.

LMP: Would you consider that as an advantage especially if you win?

JLY: It is an advantage because we have the same vision, goal, perspective, and we are very determined to arrive at the finish line.

LMP: What is the real score behind the new survey that came out days ago?

JLY: They claimed it as the new Bohol Poll. When I read the news, I asked my staff, why we are not invited in the presentation of the said poll. That’s where we knew, it was a commissioned survey, but the same group made the assessment on the 350 respondents.

LMP: Probably a paid survey. If you compare it to the Bohol Poll, what would be the difference?

JLY: The survey result was a statistical tie because I got 37 in the Bohol Poll, minus 10, that’s 27. Then in the new survey I got 28, so basically, the result was relatively the same.

LMP: Is there no possibility that when a person, a group, an entity would conduct a survey even using another group to make it, the result would imply or affiliate with the one who initiates the survey.

JLY: We heard that rumor. Since, we don’t have the basis regarding the issue, I would rather not speak about it. We have high respects to HNU, and we have been also conducting our own HNU surveys and we got positive results.

LMP: How is your relationship with your Uncle, Dr. Abraham Lim, as of now?

JLY: I haven’t seen him for a long time, Sir Loy. (Laughs)

LMP: How’s the campaign?

JLY: The campaign is doing well. There are a lot of people joining our rallies. We could feel the warm reception of the crowd.

LMP: I heard from everywhere about it, that when it comes to rallies, you have the biggest number of attendees. In fact, the other day, I was with a group, which claimed they have seen that every time you go to a place, people don’t need to be invited, which is a very good indication. While other people would still exert a lot of effort inviting them to come, enticing them for a lot of reasons, but in your case, I don’t think it happens. So, let’s try to have projection, as far as your running for Mayor is concerned. In the rate of 10-1, the highest is 10, where do you place yourself?

JLY: Of course, I would like to choose 10, Sir Loy. (Laughs) But then again, a score of 1 is okey, because we would like to work more, be motivated, and be challenged.

LMP: In your campaign sorties, I know for a fact that you are not like the others. Whether you like it or not, your side of the fence is one that is well-buttered. When you run for an elective position, you need to go to the grassroots, to the poor barrios. What have you learned from people who are so impoverished, underprivileged?

JLY: Actually, it is one of the main reasons why I decided for run for City Mayor. I have been going around for 3 years, and I have seen that there are a lot of people who need help to uplift their way of living. They must be given priority projects like on housing, education, health, etc.

LMP: Does it follow that with this constant dialoguing with them, your bonding has been heightened to help them, compared to the time before you became a politician?

JLY: My level of desire and passion to serve and help others is still the same as before.

LMP: Among the members of your slate, who would be involved in business?

JLY: Johnny Enerio is the one in-charge of the business sector.

LMP: How about in environment?

JLY: It is to be handled by Tim Butalid.

LMP: Are these people qualified to handle the said concerns?

JLY: Yes, they are highly competent on the respective assignments. Johnny Enerio is businessman for a long time, and Tim Butalid is a 2-term Barangay Kagawad of Poblacion I.

LMP: In the group that I was with the other day, the number one topic was the forthcoming election. There was a mention of Adam Jala, and there are those who ask that, why he runs for Councilor when he was once a Congressman. What was his answer?

JLY: Serving the people should not be based on your status in the community. Once you have the passion to serve, the position doesn’t really matter. Tagbilaran is his home and where his heart belongs.

LMP: You said in one interview we had before at DYRD, that each member of the group will be handling an aspect in governance. Can you name some names aside from those already mentioned, and what particular interests they would be concentrating on?

JLY: Jojo Bompat, the number one Councilor of Barangay Dampas, will be the voice of our youth, focusing on sports development program, talent enhancement, and job opportunities. Ondoy Borja, being the President of the Gun Club in Bohol, is in-charge of the Peace and Order committee. Engr. Charles Cabalit will handle the infrastructure projects. Of course, our CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Beben Inting, is responsible for transparency and accountability. Jerry Pabe is the voice of the tricycle drivers, and will take charge of the urban poor. Dr. Allan Real, a Barangay Kagawad of Poblacion II, will focus on health. And retired teacher, Meme Vitorillo, will handle our educational program and the Senior Citizens.

LMP: You have everything mapped-out. In many cases, it is only a question of the person who is nearest to the one who decides, notwithstanding what their capabilities are. But in your case, you really selected these people who would fill-in a need.

JLY: Yes, based on their qualification and experience.

LMP: Aside from her being a woman, what do think would be the best advantage of your Vice Mayor, Kit Oppus?

JLY: She has the experience, she is smart, and of course, she has done a lot of things for the City being a Councilor for 2 terms now. Another plus factor was the promotion of her husband as General of the PNP.

LMP: Yeah, I think that would be an advantage. In the Filipino setting, what happens to a member of the family reflects on you, and you are a part of it. I know that it would be a good effect on her candidacy in this election. So, it is complete, everything is covered. What part of the campaign are you in now? I believe that you been to the 15 barangays.

JLY: Yes, we have been to these barangays 10 to 15 times already. (Laughs) So, we are not new to them, we are already familiar with their houses, and most especially, the people. We still maintain the fact, that we are the only group who doesn’t throw derogatory accusations against our opponents. We are proud to say that we are the new breed of public servants.

LMP: Let’s have a scenario wherein you are already the Mayor, what is the first thing that you will do?

JLY: Our first step is to have an inventory of the assets, we have to know where the City Hall stands, the financial aspect, of course, and then, we could move from there on with our priorities.

LMP: You mentioned about properties, money, how about human resource inventory?

JLY: Yes, it is part of our first move.

LMP: Does it mean that there will be changes, there will be new faces?

JLY: It depends on the qualification. Even if he supports the other side, as long as he is capable and dedicatedly doing his job, then he can stay.

LMP: So, that’s we will be expecting, because in many places, once the Mayor sits in, 100% of the faces are new. Regardless of whether they knew their job or not, as long as they helped in the previous election, they were qualified.

JLY: One of our battle-cries, Sir Loy, is “Paghatag sa Serbisyo nga Wala’y Pili-Pili.” So, it also applies to our employees at the City Hall.

LMP: At this point when we are talking, there is a meeting at Jjs, I’m supposed to be there, but I prefer this one. It’s about this CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan). In the meeting we had the other day with the Bohol Chamber, we made this proposal to have that held in abeyance. As of now, some members of the group are there to voice out that concern because the election is still about to come. We don’t know who will be the officials elected, so it will be a waste of time to decide on something which could be changed because these are the people who will run the government, and their minds may not be in consonance with what is being planned. What can you say about it?

JLY: It is true, I agree with you, Sir Loy. I didn’t even attend the meeting also, but having our CLUP for 9 years, people are claiming a lot of our businesses don’t have permits. Right now, they are rushing it but I think, it is too late. Again, when the new government or the new Mayor comes in, he might have a different idea of what’s happening, and what he wants for the City of Tagbilaran. In the same way, with the loan, it’s too late, the election is so near.

LMP: Yes, they should concentrate on the election now. It is a very important process. We need to know the people who will be qualified for the job. We cannot just allow any interventions about it. Forcing to our throats something that is not well-done will be detrimental. That’s our stand in the Chamber, and I hope, they will listen because we are also concerned. We studied the Land Use Plan, and there were a lot of questions raised.

JLY: Yeah, that is true. That is the effect of not having the CLUP for a long time.

LMP: What’s your idea about the future of Tagbilaran with you at the helm?

JLY: We would like the old Tagbilaran City to become new. What the CLUP wants now is to distribute the businesses in the barangays so as not to congest the traffic. But I believe, they should consult the people and the business sector first, and then, decide.

LMP: Your parting words to our readers?

JLY: I would like to say that hopefully, we will have an honest and clean election this coming May 2013. Let us vote wisely and choose the right people to run the City. These people are the ones who stayed here for a long time and have witnessed the problems of the community. And of course, we need a leader who knows how to listen to his people.

At 36, Councilor Baba Yap is not anymore a child, as what his opponents would like to picture him. He is also a college graduate, contrary to some allegations that he is not well-educated. He took crash courses in public administration at UP and other accomplished institutions. He heads the Accounting Department of Bohol Tropics Resort and help manage the family business. His winning as Number One Councilor in the previous election is a clear indication that the people of Tagbilaran trust him. Baba Yap is ready to be the next mayor of Tagbilaran City.

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