Being a politician was never a part of his dream. Contented with his life as a lawyer that could be termed lucrative, while squeezing extra-time for a partime professorial job in a local College of Law (the then Divine Word College where he finished his studies), with a lawyer–wife who was also enjoying a partime teaching job, he found solace and satisfaction while, at the same time raising his kids. The Martial Law era, changed his outlook, and eventually brought him in contact with political leaders who, after the EDSA people power revolt in 1986, invited him to the Provincial Capitol. For Atty. Tomas Dahab Abapo, Jr. (TDA) it was the turning point of his life.

Over a cup of coffee, the interview in his office as Provincial Administrator was a casual chat, devoid of straight-neck formality, in a manner that characterizes Atty. Abapo even in an atmosphere that requires sartorial elegance. Direct to the point and always sincere, he discourses himself to all without becoming a trying hard, second-rate copy-cat.

LMP: Right from the moment when you were still a student, did you already have plans to enter politics?

TDA: No, I am a politician by accident. During the time of Martial Law I was one of the activists to work against Martial Law, although I did not go underground.

After Marcos left, Cory Aquino changed the regular elected officials by OIC.

LMP: At that time you were already a lawyer, right?

TDA: I was already a lawyer. Nong Nansiong Ingking came to me and said,” You planted rice with us, and now it is harvest time. Join us.”

LMP: When that was offered to you did you have any reluctance or you grabbed it at once?

TDA: I thought it was another field of endeavor. We were talking about a corrupt government, so I thought I could help in remedying the situation; so I said yes. Provincial Administrator Vinancio Inting invited me to be his secretary. When Victor De la Serna became OIC Governor, I was appointed as OIC Board Member.

.LMP: But then the following year there was an election, were you requested to run as member of the board?

TDA: No, I ran as an independent. I was then a greenhorn, I didn't know that you have to be in a party, and so I lost. So the next time around in 1995, I ran in a party, LDP (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino), under the ticket of Mr. Rene Relampagos and Senator Herrera. During the elections of 2004 I already finished my third term. I was requested to be the General Campaign Manager for Lakas Bohol.

LMP: After that, were you ready to go back to full-time lawyering?

TDA: After the elections I was offered the job of Provincial Atty. to head the Provincial legal office and I stayed there for almost a year. Then I was offered this position now as Provincial Administrator.

LMP: People say “once a politician always a politician”. Is that true to you?

TDA: I would say, perhaps, yes. You know when you are staying long in this field you become a political animal, but I enjoyed it because you really can serve the people.

LMP: And it means that after this, you will be running again?

TDA: You know I have already been Board Member for 9 years plus one and a half years as OIC. It no longer presents any challenge to me. When I was a Board Member and the Vice Gov. was out, I was always requested to act as Vice Gov. I have tasted the work of a Gov. for almost 3 years. What I haven't tasted is the job of a Mayor.

LMP: So that is now what you are planning to do, run as Mayor of Ubay? Would you like to say therefore that this particular change of heart would be because you'd like to serve the grassroots?

TDA: Yes, especially that I have been serving the province for such a long time and I have had not the opportunity to serve my town. The situation is right for me to try the Mayorship, because I feel that I can do something for our town.

LMP: Going back to your more than 10years of service as Board Member, what would you like to consider as some of your biggest accomplishments?

TDA: I have been Chairman of the Committee on Education, which I like best, because to me education is very important, not only for Boholanos, knowing that I come from the grassroots. I would not have been where I am now, had not it been for education, I was also the Chairman of the Committee on Rules where we made some imitations in the Sanguniang Panlalawigan and I was practically at home on this because it is still a lawyer's job.

LMP: Does it mean to say that basically speaking when you mention about politics the Lawyer has an edge?

TDA: No, a person who is willing to work with intension has an edge.

LMP: So anybody could? Even actors?

TDA: Anybody could. If he has good intensions and he is competent.

LMP: In politics especially in Bohol , sometimes there are some ripples. There is a familiar figure we have in the locality who calls some politicians “kawatan”. I believe that because you belong to the administration you were a target. What is your comment regarding that?

TDA: Well, anybody who tells me that, I can look at him straight at the eye, and say I'm not one of them.

LMP: But would you like to say that there are?

TDA: All over the Philippines there are.

LMP: How could your political experiences help your job as the Mayor of Ubay?

TDA: A lot. I have been administering the province of Bohol . When you are a Provincial Administrator according to the Local Government Code you administer the province. You supervise the province, and you practically run the province as a manager. Like when the Gov. is not around.

LMP: Does it mean to say that the job of the Mayor is easier than that of the Administrator, because of the scale?

TDA: A Provincial Administrator takes care of 47 towns and I will be taking care of only one town. Devoting my whole time.

LMP: How would you describe the people of Ubay? And what are the things they need right now?

TDA: They need cleansing

LMP: What do you mean by cleansing?

TDA: Physical, the town is dirty, Cleaning governance, and most of all spiritual cleaning, because I think we are too materialistic.

LMP: Materialism is a part of pragmatism; which is necessary in politics.

TDA: It is necessary in politics but it should not be absolute politics.

LMP: Would you like to say that there are some politicians who have that thought that it's everything?

TDA: Yes, I would say so.

LMP: There has been talk before that Ubay would be the next City, aside from Tagbilaran. If that happens what are the things that are necessary in Ubay to make that dream come true?

TDA: Under the old law Ubay could be qualified as a city, I know the area qualification, population qualification, which Ubay has; but the income qualification now is P150M. There's no town in Bohol now that can easily be qualified. But there are many ways to kill a dog, we can do it some way around like, for example, in the Philippines there is one City, which may not be qualified as a regular city but which is now a City, the City of Muños, Bulacan. It is known as a Science City .

LMP: In Ubay what could be the name?

TDA: There could be an Ubay Science City . All about Science, that way we now have the Ubay Agri-park and we are planning, especially the Government to have CVSCAFT Ubay.

LMP: How many as of now have the intention to run as Mayor?

TDA: There's an incumbent Mayor, there's Kag. Besas.

LMP: Would this be to your advantage? With three candidates

TDA: I really don't care two or three candidates, to me Bernalez is a good man, Besas is a good man, the people only have to select who is the best.

LMP: I heard that you were the one who sort of endorsed Bernalez as Mayor of Ubay years ago.

TDA: That's correct, in the 2004 elections.

LMP: So now that you are running against him does it mean to say that you have changed your mind about his goodness?

TDA: I do hope I will not run against him, but if it comes to that I would say that I think now is the chance for me to serve my Municipality.

LMP: Would it mean that the way you look at it, he is not serving the way he should?

TDA: That's what I said, Bernalez is good, Besas is good; so we will just let Ubay choose the best.

LMP: So you believe that you have a much better offer as far as public service is concerned?

TDA: I think so, yes

LMP: Will you be able to galvanize the leadership of Ubay, which I believe now is a little bit tattered.

TDA: There are 44 barangays in Ubay, right now. I have endorsement of 38 barangay captains, the 6 barangay captains did not give their endorsements for legitimate reasons, like for example, activity, relationship or work partnership, so there are 6, but the Barangay Kagawads of the six barangays have made their endorsements.

LMP: Would it be the same party with Bernalez?

TDA: It all depends

LMP: Bernalez is also an administration candidate.

TDA: Yes, I really don't give it an importance, it will depend on the Governor. You know, in politics (I have been here for almost 12 years), I never say bad things against people.

LMP: I heard some people using that in campaigning especially at the first stage, party candidates group together like a pack with a leader, but at the eleventh hour it is “to each his own.”

TDA: I would say that's a general rule. There are exemptions. I am an exemption to them. I have always been known as team player.

LMP: What happens if a member of your team would like to get out?

TDA: Then, he's out.

LMP: You would not hold him?

TDA: I will not hold him; if he doesn't get out I will kick him out.

LMP: What is your outlook about Ubay?

TDA: It's like China , a sleeping giant. Giant, but I don't know if it has awakened. I could still be yawning. We have to waken it up, especially that this is the last term of the Governor.

LMP: Would you consider it as another advantage, because the Gov. is also from Ubay?

TDA: Yes, precisely so. I think, if managed well you can have major developments in the Municipality of Ubay .

LMP: How about infrastructure, does Ubay need a lot as of now?

TDA: It needs a lot, even about cleanliness.

LMP: Is Ubay the biggest town in Bohol ?

TDA: I think so, yes. Right now Ubay has 30 thousand voters

LMP: Compared to Talibon, because I noticed that Ubay and Talibon are competing…

TDA: Talibon is 20,000 plus.

LMP: After being Mayor, for I say 3 terms, what's next?

TDA: I would not stay for 3 terms as Mayor, one term is enough. I am going to run for Mayor not for power. Monetary wise, I ‘m earning a lot here than there. I can only earn a lot there if I go corrupt which I won't. It is a sacrifice, mine is an offer of service. I am happy where I am now, and if I don't' get the Mayorship let it be. If you are at peace with God and with the people there is no reason why you should not be happy. Ubay is a growing Municipality with all the natural and human resources necessary for total development. It has home-grown talents who have made marks not just in the local scene, among them Governor Erico Aumentado. Yet, it needs the right people in its road to progress. Tom Abapo is one such man.