CONGRESSMAN-elect Erico Aristotle Aumentado of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will continue the projects and even the plans initiated by his father and namesake Erico for Bohol’s 2nd District. The younger Aumentado – Aris to family and friends – bared this after the provincial board of canvassers headed by Provincial Election Supervisor Leonil Marco Castillano proclaimed him as winner over his rival, former congressman and now Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes. Aumentado said he will not leave his constituents hanging after the untimely demise of his father of pneumonia on Christmas Day last year at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City

As chief of staff of his father until the latter’s demise, he had been “project implementor” in the 2nd District, had received the proposals from the towns and barangays for the solon’s consideration and had represented the latter in several occasions. Living in the same house with his father coupled with the experience as chief of staff made him get a grasp of the duties of a congressman, he said. Following Comelec rules and tradition, he filed his certificate of candidacy as replacement for his father on February 4 – just after the 40th day prayers. He trudged the campaign trail with a heavy heart, compounded by the fact that his opponent was his godfather. Out of respect, he said, he could not and did not expose anything that might tarnish the reputation of his father’s kumpare.

In an interview during the family gathering to celebrate the senior Aumentado’s birthday yesterday, Aris said he is bent on finishing all pending projects, will accept proposals for consideration, and listen to his father’s cronies for advice. Between sessions and town or barangay visitations, he will study the plans and proposals for projects his father has initiated in order to be the instrument for the realization of his father’s dreams. He said his father may be lucky to have the late President Carlos P. Garcia, 4th president of the Philippine republic, as adviser who gave him the suggestions, guidance and direction for Bohol’s development. But, he continued, he is luckier because as chief of staff, he did the legwork and implemented on the ground these projects. He thanks the Almighty for the divine intervention in his win – religiosity is a trait his father and mother Peregrina ingrained in him, and his family, friends and followers for the support. His father was a church builder. He said he will continue as well the support his father had provided for different parishes, churches and chapels. Aris is married to the former Vanessa Cadorna with whom he has two children – Lawrence and Lance.