Decision-making is, more often than not, a hazardous move to take, considering the risks involved when a stand is defined. There are times when making a wrong decision can spill the waterloo of a man's career, more so in the political arena. There are those who circumvent the issue at hand in order not to be pushed to the wall defenseless. There are instances when a move is made without weighing some alternatives and the consequences. But resoluteness in an issue of public concern is a mark of a true leader. Among our local stalwarts, Vice Governor Julius Falar Herrera (JFH) can seldom be faulted as indecisive, especially in matters of vital significance to his responsibility as the Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. To me his own words, “we have never been a rubber stamps” in the S.P. Like his namesake, the great Julius Caesar of Rome , he crosses his Rubicon even if it means danger to his life. This is the kind of courage a leader should possess, not for his own welfare but, for those he serves.

LMP: Was it your dream to become a politician, or was it by force of circumstance?

JFH: Until this time, I still don't consider myself a politician, but I've always wanted to become a public servant.

LMP: What were your biggest accomplishments in your nine years as Mayor of Calape?

JFH: Actually, six years as Mayor or two terms, form 1995-2001. During my incumbency, Calape won various local and national awards particularly in the field of agriculture, fisheries and environment: regional awardee of BFAR in 1996; two consecutive years – regional awardee as Outstanding Mayor in implementation of social services 1996-1997; regional awardee – Best Program in the field of Agriculture Region 7 in 1997; regional awardee – implementation of Nutrition Program on July 30, 1998; awardee in Modern Management in Local Administration by the DILG in 1998; National Paglilingkod award by the DSWD in 1998; national awardee – implementing the Best Coastal Resource Management Program (CRMP) Practices in 2000; national awardee for three consecutive years for implementing Best Nutrition Practices in Local Governance 1997-2000; and national awardee (hall of fame) – implementation of Nutrition Program on June 2001.

LMP: In your entire career as a politician, has party affiliation been a big factor in your success?

JFH: I always believe in what I stand for and what we hope to achieve for a better Philippines . We have to work with other people who share our visions but, it should always be in matters of principle. Personally, I do live by the line that when someone has the ability to take action, he has the responsibility to take action.

LMP: As the Vice Governor of Bohol for six years, what have you accomplished?

JFH: Six years is so short a time to make any significant impact on Boholanos, especially since I do not want to work alone but, as part of a team. But, in my own little way, I guess I have injected some hope and betterment to the lives of the people in Bohol , this may sound a carry over from my stint as Mayor of Calape, but this has also been my crusade even before I have been into public service. I believe that public servants should be able to inspire people to hope and be more optimistic about the future. It may not seem like an accomplishment to many, but I believe this is my crusade. When people have hope, they can accomplish a lot. Aside from the legislative services we've rendered to our Boholanos, I and my office have been distributing medical kits to the BHWs all over the province. It may not be that all towns have been given, but we are continuously looking for ways to provide all BHWs with kits. This is my simple way of helping Boholanos, especially in the farthest barangays that are not capable of buying them and who find it difficult to bring the sick to the hospitals. The barangays usually call their hilots or BHWs to answer their medical needs. But, what can the BHW do if they are ill-equipped? That's where we come in, we provide them with stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, nebulizers, etc. In terms of agriculture, we're advocating the use of organic farming. In fact, I'm proud to say that Bohol was recognized as the first province t come up with its own legislative stand, by virtue of an ordinance, strongly objecting to the use of GMO.

LMP: As the Presiding Officer of the S.P, what are the problems that you have encountered in the process of legislation?

JFH: Problems encountered in the SP are considered as a tool for our growth. Problems bring out either the worst or the best in us. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. Our needs lead us to find ways to meet them.

LMP: What are the biggest accomplishments of the SP in your second term?

JFH: Our ongoing program of the training on barangay legislation is perhaps what we can consider one of our biggest accomplishments for this term, with passion, we go to the towns and share with the barangay officials what we have also learned in legislation procedures, particularly, in drafting resolutions and ordinances, in basic parliamentary rules and procedures, and even in writing letters and memos. We want that what we have learned from the higher legislative bodies will also be shared to the other, particularly, the basic legislative body which is the barangay, that may not have the opportunity or chance to be. Barangay empowerment allows the barangays to stand on their own. Many problems in the barangays can be solved in their level if they only have the confidence to do it.

LMP: The SP, as a legislative body, is sometimes perceived as a check-and-balance to the executive. Along this line, what positive points has the provincial board done?

JFH: The first thing that comes to mind is transparency. We discuss all issues and concerns before making our collective stand. Maybe because of this, a lot of potential irritants between the executive and the legislative have been removed. The SP has always supported major initiates of the administration but, we have never been a rubber stamp.

LMP: Your two terms as Mayor was fast-paced. People have been expecting that after being Vice Governor for one term, you will run for Governor. Why has this not taken place?

JFH: As I said earlier, I do not want to work alone. I work with a team. Let us just say the team realized that for the moment it is better for me to work in the sidelines.

LMP: Your third term as Vice Governor is a foregone conclusion. In the 2010 elections, can we expect that, finally, you will be in the gubernatorial race?

JFH: A lot of things could still happen before 2010 comes. I don't want to preempt the future. I am ready to serve, but it does not mean I will not be responsive to the evens in the days ahead. God may have other plans for me and I bow down to His leading.

LMP: Edgar Chatto is also a third-termer as Congressman. Local political analysts are projecting that Chatto will run as governor in 2010. Will you give way for him?

JFH: As I've said earlier, 2010 is still a long time from now. I'd cross the bridge when I get there.

LMP: If you step aside in his favor, will you run for Congressman in the first district?

JFH: Again, I am ready to serve in what capacity the people would want me to serve. In the final analysis, it is the people who will decide.

LMP: How do you assess your political career up to now? Are you contented with what you have done? Or, do you believe there are still many things you can do for the Boholanos? If so, what are they?

JFH: I'd like to inject some change, a different approach at achieving what we always wanted to achieve, peace and development. Perhaps in my own way, I can start teaching and showing people that achieving these, we have MPH. This is what I've leaned from my study tours abroad, in developing countries. M stands for meritocracy. We employ and promote people based on what they have done something for us during elections, or they are sons or friends of or political allies. We should hire them based on their educational and technical know-how. P stands for pragmatism, and H stands for honesty. In my stint as a public servant, transparency and honesty has always been my call. I always dare public offices to be transparent. If we can start from there, there is no reason why we cannot be like those developing countries. This may not be an overnight process, but here and today is definitely a sure time and place to start. In all these, the bottom line is action. The best plans do not mean anything unless they are implemented. LMP: How do you like to be remembered by Boholanos after you may have retired form active public service several years from now?

JFH: Names may not be important for people to remember but, I wish that people would refer me as someone that has injected the MPH approach to development. Somehow I want people to remember me as one who gave them reason to hope in the future because of what I did for them. There is always a price to pay when one enters politics. Just only undertaking, a politician should know that he cannot please all. The bigger number is his concerns. Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera is not met between the ears when it comes to solving some dilemma. He has to keep his best foot forward; the public is his severest critic. He cannot risk making a wrong decision especially career-wise. Every Rubicon he crosses has all the parameters analyzed before he makes a move. A mark of the real leader.