In full control. This aptly describes Governor Erico Boyles Aumentado (EBA) at the helm of the Capitol, despite his being in Malacañang and with President GMA most part of the week. Public administration and management do not require physical presence in order to get things done, especially in the age of IT. In the latest Bohol Poll of HNU, the respondents gave positive points on the way the provincial offices are handled, most particularly in terms of public service.

Teaming up with Mayor Dan N. Lim and Atty. Victor S. de la Serna in trying to correct what is now generally perceived as an error in judgment (oiled by some millions of personal interest), to form a modern triumvirate to buy-back the water and energy utilities, the Governor is again at the forefront in a crusade against a chimeral force that would ultimately define his leadership capabilities in an election season.

It was a drizzling eight o'clock last Tuesday when I met the Governor in his office at his residence, after his usual morning exercise. He was scheduled to meet a group at the Capitol that same time; but he was benevolent enough to spare me twenty minutes of his time.

LMP: As the winningest politician in Bohol today, how does it feel to know that until now there is nobody yet who has enough guts to declare running against you in the May polls?

EBA: I am always expecting someone to run against me this coming May. The opposition is looking for somebody to be the standard-bearer in the province. I was informed that the united opposition organization candidates are coming to Bohol to organize their forces. Probably, by God's grace, if what others expect happens, it won't still be an easy time for me. I have to work hard for my ticketmates of the provincial, congressional, and municipal slates.

LMP: Is Julius Caesar Herrera your personal choice as running-mate? Is this choice prodded by a wish that he won't run against you?

EBA: We have decided to continue the unification of Bohol leaders. Under the policy of equity of the incumbent, all incumbent Congressmen and Board Members who could still run for the same office will automatically be members of the Aumentado-Herrera ticket.

LMP: In the same unification scheme in the last election, a Congressman in your ticket was bruited to have purposely failed to deliver the votes, especially in some particular municipalities in his district. Will the same thing happen again?

EBA: In politics everything is possible.

LMP: Also in last election, a private firm was humored to have spent millions for a candidate in Tagbilaran, so his making a good elec6tion performance here would be construed as appositive public opinion in favor of the foreign company now running the two service utilities that have been privatized;. Do you expect the same thing to take place again?

EBA As I've said earlier, in politics everything is possible. At that time. I confirmed the involvement of the company with as much money. This time. I believe the said company should think twice before it does the same thing again. In spite of what they did to me in the last election I still supported their project which I believe to be good for the province of Bohol .

LMP: How about media practitioners being bought to ventilate their scheme?

EBA: As long as media is not corrupted, I think it is part of PR. Only when media is corrupted and be bias when it becomes bad.

LMP: Can you name names who could be fielded in the May election?

EBA: In the First District there are three prominent names that would vie for the slot to be vacated by Board Member Prasing Mascariñas: Purita Soliven, Yul Lopez, and Ae Damalerio. In the Second District the slot of the late Atty. Felix Garcia will be for Inabanga Mayor Jumamoy. In the Third District, there are some aspirants for the slots to be left by Board Member Concepcion Lim and Board Member Freda Tirol: Mayor Bienvenido Molina, Jr. of Alicia, Col. Sancho Bernalez of Mabini, Vice Mayor Tibbs Bullecer of Loay, Rosemarie Lim-Imboy, and Adam Jala, son of Congressman Eladio Jala, an Ateneo Dean's lister who is waiting for the bar result. There is a need to have a convention to resolve this.

LMP: Is the running of Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr. as Mayor of Ubay an offshoot of your belief that the incumbent Mayor should be replaced?

EBA: Frankly, I want Abapo to stay put in the provincial government, because I really need a good Provincial Administrator. He is more interested to run as Mayor; but I still have to talk with him on this matter. There are serious implications. It was Atty. Abapo who persuaded and supported Mayor Bernales to join lakas because Bernales was under the ticket of Kampi in the last election. I need Atty. Abapo here in preparation for a higher political position in the year 2010. It's too early to say this, but I think he is a very good material (for his political savvy and scathed ability) for Vice Governor, whether it would be Congressman Chatto or Vice Governor Herrera to run for Governor in 2010 under Lakas.

LMP: In your own perception, do you believe in the allegation of Atty. Victor de la Serna that one Congressmen received cash in the Salcon deal?

EBA: Well, I have read the comments of the Congressmen. Apart from making denials…they claimed they did not do it…and I would give the benefit of the doubt unless proven. Besides, public officials are not supposed to be onion-skinned.

LMP: Bohol has no representation in the Upper House. Being close to Malacañang, don't you think you are our best crack for the Senate?

EBA: I don't have the resources and the national standing. Between the Senate and Province of Bohol , I choose Bohol any time. There is one development that we can have a hand, and that is for Cesar Montano to be drafted by the administration in its Senatorial slate. Malacañang discovered that the guy is a professional and a linguist like the President. He can speak fluent English, Pilipino, Spanish, Cebuano-Boholano, Ilonggo, Ilocano, and even Muslim. He has the support of the local Government Units, the ULAP, and the LMP. Cesar has a good chance of landing in the Senate.

With no adversary in sight, Governor Erico B. Aumentado is today's Golden Boy in Bohol politics. Humble even in his accomplishments, he epitomizes the Boholano achiever, never the flaunter who soars the four winds to announce his exploits and dramatize his ordeals, but the silent worker who forgets time as he immerses himself in his responsibilities. Steadfast in his decisions, there are times when he has to do the balancing act. Even those who “betrayed” him still have his trust. All for the good of Bohol .