(I wrote this on the afternoon of September 1, 2011, or few hours after I confirmed from a reliable source that Mayor Antonio A. Evangelista already passed away at about 11am that day. I wrote it as my fitting tribute and honor for him).
Today, I mourn of the death of a former mentor, a “boss”. Today, Paoay mourns of the death of an Icon of New Paoay Politics, the Father of Paoay Transformation, the Best Mayor Paoay ever had! Any person who observed and stayed in town at least for the last three decades with no or who can set aside personal biases knows that.
I first heard of the news about his death via a text message. Then came a flurry of text messages and calls from former colleagues and informing me about the news, and some were asking if I go to Manila and pay our last and fitting respect. Basically, my reply was: I was taken aback. I want to, but and I don’t know what to do. The indisputable fact is: He did many great things for me. What I do know now is: We pray for him.
In my reply to those text messages, I added my impression about the man: That he is the Icon of New Paoay Politics, the Father of Paoay Transformation, the Best Mayor Paoay ever had! I know, I will be criticized why I am saying these only now, now that he is gone. No. I have been saying these all along.
I first saw him in August 1987. About 10 in the evening, a group accompanied by policemen came to our house and I was told that I was being invited by the mayor. I obliged. I was brought to the municipal hall, introduced to him. It was my first so see and meet the man, Antonio A. Evangelista.
Meekly I asked why I was being called and my mother was worrying about me. He explained that he only wanted to privately share his thoughts and plans for Paoay. After more than 2 hours of discussions, he admitted of his reluctance to become a mayor after he remembered the political history of Paoay -- who were its past political leaders, how a mayoralty position was passed upon from one to the other, then briefly mentioned of what had happened to his late and only brother.
He said that he brought something to share for Paoay, but admitted of his fears and apprehensions because of those overwhelming or even misplaced expectations; that albeit he was willing, willingness does not mean he was that perfectly prepared. Thus, his approach was to enlist the support of the youth who he recognized as have fresh and idealistic minds, and those from the barrio who he believed were longing for institutional changes. He ended our talks through an open invitation for me to come back after three days -- that is if I share his visions. I went back and he appointed me as the Senior Clerk in the Office of the Mayor, but my actual functions were the job of a Secretary of the Mayor. A confidante. I, together with Dado Mades, sisters Prima and Donna Cagat, were housed at their residence near the PNI and I stayed there until 1993, or when I already got married.
He later organized us as a working team, composed mostly of new, young recruits. We were on call. Everyday. No normal working hours. No salary standardization yet; no overtime pay. Not preoccupied with money. No complain, simply because we embraced the idea of public service that he was telling about. Our team from the municipal government include Dado Mades, Edwin Abrojena, Adela Labucay, Robert Guieb, Lando Lagundino, Dario Hurtado, Thong Gajeton, Benny Oamil, Abner Hermitanio, and from the barangays we had Wilson Sadian, Roger Sado and Johnny Bayaua. My apologies to those I missed in this instant list.
I never had complete information about who he was. I surmised that if ever there were those who claim they knew him, it would be incomplete, selective and slanted at some points. I heard from his two aunts and few of his relatives that he was quite naughty as a child and during his youthful years. I learned that he worked with the Bureau of Customs, and well-connected with certain powerful people in Government.
He was not a mayor who reports to his office at the municipal hall everyday. He spent considerable amount of his time with his computer in his one-bedroom house in the “farm”, thinking and making many documents and letters. He was not fond of speaking in public, but he writes well, very particular of the grammar, the logic, the appropriate words, and nice presentation of official communications and proposals. He, however, had tendency of being impatient of bureaucratic delays or formal procedures, thus at times he “short circuit" some process to attain results. However, he puts premium on loyalty. If we insist, however, that a transaction may not be feasible, he would listen then call a gripe session later in the afternoon to discuss our respective positions. He would call me every night just to ask if we were able to deliver some “goods” for the day, or any problem encountered, and what were the pressing things to do the following day.
He was a keen observer of the situation and of the people around. Outside official working hours, he would occasionally find time to share light moments. He was a good cook, and he would let us eat and drink while he was cooking or preparing his favorites – imbaliktad, grilled malaga, sashimi. He would give us tips how to drink beer or liquor, how to call a waiter, how to use the telephone, reminded us to say “thank you” or “please” to whomsoever we transact with or talk to, or be persistent when nobody was answering the telephone, and so many others.
He was an incorrigible smoker, fond of whiskey or brandy then arak ti basi, and security conscious. After his heart triple by-pass operation, he gave up smoking, slowed down in drinking liquors, lost interest in guns and bodyguards.
Icon of Paoay New Politics
When Tony Evangelista took over, I heard he was like a “celebrity mayor”. A lot of people in town wanted to be associated with him. Worthy to emphasize that Tony Evangelista was the appointed mayor as a consequence of the so-called EDSA Revolution. Although EDSA was in Manila and was supposed to be no big deal for Paoayenos, undeniably we were affected by those national events that followed. Mayor Tony Evangelista came home at that period and to lead into a “new beginning”.
Indisputably, he was one of the more prominent political figure and influential local chief executives during those times, not only in Ilocos Norte but in the entire Ilocos Region. It was a public knowledge in town that he was closed to Senator Enrile. During his term, he would bring in other high officials as guests like Senators Alvarez, Drilon, Flavier, Jaworski, Angara, Legarda, Biazon, and other directors of certain agencies who would frequently coming to the office then.
He was the provincial chapter head of a major national political party. He brought Diosdado Mades, Edwin Abrojena and I as his delegates to the national launching of the United People Power Movement (UPPM) – a movement which later ushered the formation of national political party. A number of candidates from different places were lining up to get his endorsements and certifications in those elections.
Long long before he became mayor, it is indisputable fact that Paoay had been under its usual politics. Nothing much so surprising to happen because one can expect who would be the “next movers and shakers” of the town in every elections. Expect the same players. When Tony Evangelista came, it was already a different ballgame! He became the icon on the local political screen. And this happened in the mid-80’s.
Instead he handpicked all of his runningmates in the elections, he initiated a “political conventions”. True to his words, he maintained the strong representation and participation of the youth after the defunct KB. Every year, regularly, there was Youth Week Celebration where youth representatives assumed as Junior Officials. Interestingly, even long before the Senior Citizens Law, he issued in 1987 an Executive Order recognizing elderly citizens, the retirees and pensioners as partners in governance. Thenceforth, elderly citizens were given the chance to serve as acting officials during the month-long celebration, yearly. In brief, he devised a political initiative calculated to bear good fruit.
In the election of Municipal Councilors, candidates were selected based on geographical and equitable representations. In short, he introduced a new scheme that had changed the image of Paoay politics. As a result, more personalities from the barrios came abound to work hand-in-hand with the prominent citizens. It was during his time that significant employees who are barriotics were accommodated. I was one of them, not only as an employee, but eventually the municipal vice mayor for 3 consecutive terms.
What he did had stirred the political hornet’s nest, so to speak. Some resisted. So, instead they allowed the lights of renewal to shine, they assiduously plot their countermoves. After all, some claim that they have the Torrens Titles on practically the whole town and the reign of its government passed on to them by their foreparents whose names appeared in pamphlets, or whose retouched portraits exhibited in the walls.
Thus, in the Paoay political scene, we had the ragtag team of fresh players on one side, and the “traditionals” on the other side. The former prevailed. But like computer softwares, expect hacking and virus infections that would decimate the programs and stored data, courtesy of moneyed hackers. In a long-drawn struggles, the marginalized and the not well-connected will ultimately be lost in the war but not necessarily in the battle. So, gradually and helplessly, we are going back to the old machine, churning out the usual type of shakers and movers; so we have some “buffoons, jesters, mimes, puppets and mascots”.
In short, what he wanted was to raise the level of political perspectives of the people. He wanted to raise the level of self-esteem of others just to break our “culture of silence”. Hard or ambitious it may seem, but he thought that it was the best opportunity to start. As he was telling us then: That if EDSA Revolution in Manila has brought any significance to us in Paoay, at least, it must start an opportunity to level up political awareness. To a great extent, it rekindled our passions for better governance.
So, I dare say, it was of what he did or started that brought interest to the younger generations to join actively in local politics. Never this had happened in the political history of Paoay before. But whatever happened to what was started, the conclusion belongs to everybody. The fact remains that it was started.
After his term fixed by law in mid-1998, he convinced and fielded his wife to succeed him as mayor. The first time ever happened in Paoay! Some sectors criticized them to the hilt, pelted and belted out trash and rubbish talks. They howled and growled like dogs in protest. Even up to these days, we know who they were; we know what they were then saying. They despised him a lot. He prevailed anyway and his wife, Nenuca, won.
Father of Paoay Transformation
I remember that barely a year passed working with him, I was analyzing his approach of governance as a way of reconciling of what he said that night he summoned me for a meeting. These were what I surmised: He prioritized the countryside and initiated projects based on what the people told as their needs instead of what he likes. He had active partnership with the youth and rural folks because he wanted them to be empowered. He was technology-driven because he anticipated that such would be the irreversible trend. Certainly these are clear indications of transformations.
He started it with peace and order. Gone are the days of landlord-servant relationships, gone are the days where a barriotic guy be afraid of coming to poblacion, he used to say that when he usually summons us in some light moments. Indeed, the known sigas and notorious personalities in town were significantly neutralized, and he started it with his own relatives.
I considered him as the transition mayor, simply because he was the first immediately following the so-called EDSA Revolution. Politics then was still volatile. Local officials, even those in the barangays, could easily be replaced based on the whims and caprices of those in powers. But even he was already appointed as OIC-Mayor, I recall he was not even very eager to force himself to assume as mayor. He even established his satellite office at the public market.
The threats of insurgency problem were then quite disturbing, and he was very active and tough in the anti-insurgency campaign; yet he accorded decent burials of the casualties of the campaign. I cannot recall, however, if ever he advocated officials, municipal and barangay, to arm themselves with guns using their meager budgets.
It must be repeatedly emphasized that the during his assumption as mayor, there was no Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). He never held any position in the local governments before. Yet, he managed to get some funds and resources to start his transformation programs and projects. Now, IRAs come by the millions, even if LGU officials will just be sitting. What was available then was the so-called PD 144 Fund, or at some points termed as “PD 1-4-All”. I witnessed how aggressive he was in looking for sources of funds. What I heard before were the NALGU, the BALGU, the Presidential Social Fund, and discretionary funds of high officials, and NGOs. He travelled frequently to meet officials of certain agencies or organizations using his own vehicle. I know, he would brought me in some of those trips and meetings.
Mayor Tony initiated an intensified Physical Infrastructure Program. He started by constructing bridges, intensified opening of new roads or established road networks especially in the rural areas. It was not mere maintenance works, or simply concreting or improving those already existing ones; it was intensified making or opening of new roads, many roads, and construction of new bridges. And for the first time, Paoay had set of heavy equipment for infrastructure projects.
He opened the new access roads from the barangays proper towards the sea in Masintoc and in Bacsil, primarily to benefit the fisherfolks, and secondarily, for tourism and other investments. As alternative to gravel for road rehabilitation, he used the finger corals near the Poro Culili to improve roads. But I remember, all the heavy equipments, at one instance, were impounded by the Governor because the extractions had no quarry permits. He explained and complied.
He was investigated and even threatened to be sued regarding the funds he managed to avail of for his projects. He resisted and persisted. I remember the gist of his explanations: I should not be punished for being resourceful for the sake of my town and people; moreso, I should not be blamed if others failed to avail of the same.
Knowing well that Paoay is a flood-prone town, he feared that in the near or remote future, floodwaters will inundate or submerge the town proper. Again, with no IRA to rely on, the Flood Protective Dike was constructed to shield the town proper. So with other mini-dams and dikes in other places, some were finished and others were not.
The major thoroughfares in the poblacion were likewise provided with street lights. Some major and strategic streets were cemented, especially those most needed daily and of special use, like the Processional Road and Public Cemetery Road. The last that was cemented was the street towards their old house or beside the Paoay North Institute.
He initiated the construction of the two basic LGU economic enterprise -- a new and permanent Municipal Public Market, its twin facility, the Municipal Abattoir. He transferred them into new locations. Paoay was then a Sixth Class Town, but was elevated into Fourth Class Municipality.
He initiated allocation in the annual budget for each barangay every year and increasing per year which would augment their meager funds in undertaking development project at their discretion. Initially, it was P20,000 each and increased yearly. The scheme continued until (not anymore under his term) the allocations for all barangays were later pooled and re-aligned to buy the second-hand 45-seater bus, now owned by the municipality.
I would say he earned the respect of several community leaders, especially the barangay officials then. He thus established a permanent office space at the Civic Center for the Liga ng mga Barangay, briefly referred to as ABC Hall.
To provide a more conducive and decent workplace, he initiated improvement of certain offices. Neither he ever defaced nor destroyed original structures established by his predecessors; rather he endeavored to provide separate buildings for the Philippine National Police and the Municipal Circuit Trial Court. The Bureau of Fire Protection was temporarily housed at the Public Market, or until now. So with a separate office of the Sangguniang Bayan and its session hall. He remodeled his Office but he never acquired a new table for himself; instead, he refurbished the old wood table used by the past mayors as a matter of institutional respect to his predecessors. He only changed the old wooden chair into swivel chair much later because of his desktop computer.
He recognized the need of an efficient and professional workforce. He created a position for a Supervising Personnel Officer (Ms. Nona Adaza was the first SPO) to administer a human resource development program and to maintain personnel records. Prior to this, the treasury and budgeting services, personnel and records managements were all performed by the Municipal Treasurer. Thus officials and employees started to attend trainings and seminars to upgrade competencies, and he encouraged everybody to attend opportunities. I know, I was also sent to some trainings and seminars. Adela Labucay and I were sent to undergo computer trainings. For the first time, the employees were encouraged to organize, the Paoay Municipal Government Employees Association.
One morning, he was laughing that he saw us using vintage typewriters, manually-operated mimeographing machines, few electric fans, relatively old chairs and office tables, inadequate records management. When I let him sign a typewritten letter dotted with correction fluids, with onion skin paper as its duplicate, he said that, nowadays, poorly made letters and document end up into the waste basket, with no favorable action taken. Or something to that effect.
A computer savvy mayor, he deemed it proper that a LGU must be equipped with modern management tools to do away with bureaucratic red tape and undue delay of transactions. He initiated of what he termed as Management Tools Improvement Project which covers two major components: Acquisition of computer units for eventual computerization of records; and Provision of better books and references. He read books, good books, and he shares them to us. He sought the help of foreign-based organizations of Paoayenos for donations. Thus, for the first time, Paoay had PCs, electric typewriters, photocopying machines, fax machines, two-way radio communications system, audio-video equipment. Those old mimeo machine and typewriters were finally decommissioned.
Indeed, Paoay was the First Municipality in the province that used PCs and had computerized certain transactions and records. Records and documents were already neatly printed, and had easy archival and retrieval mechanisms. They minimized expenses for supplies, while preparations were more efficient. As a consequence of his innovations, he was awarded as one of the Most Outstanding Municipal Mayors of the Philippines, not once, not twice, but a Grand Slam Awardee!
He often said that management tools will reduce expenses and, therefore, the funds will be better used for public services. In fact that’s the logic: The advent of technology must reduce manpower expenses; it cannot be otherwise. We were then saddled by Personal Services limitations into hiring more employees, or else the Municipal Treasurer, the Budget Officer will complain. Any attempt to hire new employees then, it will automatically becomes a hot political issue at the session hall, in the media, and during elections. With only 15 casuals then, indeed, it was a continuing controversy. I don’t know how many casuals now.
Realizing the need of an expansion sites for Paoay Lake National High School, he was able to secure the donation of more parcels of land as expansion sites in Nagbacalan, courtesy of the Domingo, Cachero and Cabugon Families. He caused the establishment of an expansion site of the School’s poblacion annex at the MMSU property at Barangay Paratong under pain of possible legal charges. I know, I was present when he had an audience with MMSU officials. He remarked at some point: If he was that selfish, why would he cares for a Paoay Lake High School expansion knowing that their family owns Paoay North Institute?
Sewing machines and other equipment were distributed to certain schools to support their Non-Formal Education Programs. Several sports equipment were given to the District yearly for their athletes and players needed for various athletic meets.
He established the Children’s Learning and Resource Center – the first of its kind in the Province. It was a model pre-school, a showcase of improved facilities and a good curriculum, frequently visited by delegates by several pre-schools regionwide. Another new, noble and novel idea. Relatedly, there was a Free Milk Feeding Program among pre-schoolers in the entire municipality then.
Another basic services he prioritized was the provision of potable water, especially in identified areas. In partnership with a NGO (Tulungan sa Tubigan Foundation) and the Presidential Social Fund, several jetmatic pumps were installed in different areas as common source of drinking water. In the upland barangays, their potable water supplies were installed under the DSWD’s CIDSS Program.
But farmers and fisherfolks were on top of his concerns. Farmers organizations should know those irrigation facilities repaired and constructed. In coordination with the DAR, an agrarian reform community (ARC), the Nabaliguian ARC, was established covering the barangays of Nalasin, Surgui, Mumulaan and Bacsil. The concerned farmer-ARBs should still recall those component projects accorded to them during those inclusive years of implementation, such as farm-to-market roads, livelihoods, trainings, and loan assistance.
Early on, or just few days after he assumed as OIC-mayor, he distributed several cattles to farmer-beneficiaries under a Livestock Dispersal Project. In coordination with Philippine Carabao Center, there was also Black Bufallo Dispersal Project that followed. He even donated his piece of land somewhere Cabang-aran for the sanjera in the area. There were genuine lakbay aral for farmers groups and they were able to see the technologies and facilities in IRRI, PhilRice, and other institutions, and they brought home good stocks that resulted in a significant yields of rice and improved know-how among them the following cropping seasons. He even ventured experimental lowland potatoe productions and off-season tomatoes preparatory to his plans to introduce them to farmers. Fisherfolks were likewise granted assistance, like those fish cages or nets.
The old Paoay Puericulture and Family Planning Center building was reconstructed. The Rural Health Unit was improved. For the first time, Paoay had an ambulance and a service vehicle for the municipal health office. He was contemplating to convert it into a Lying-in Hospital, and started to furnish basic laboratory equipment.
He went out of his way to network Paoay with other towns. He initiated the sisterhood relationship between Paoay and Lingayen, Pangasinan. He travelled to Davao and other places, even abroad, with a purpose. In an attempt to market our garlic, he organized the Garlic Growers and Traders Associations and registered with the SEC. A week-long garlic trade fair was held as prelude to his attempt to institutionalize a Garlic Festival, patterned after in Gilroy, USA which he was then mentioning.
When there was a proliferation of reported smuggled scooters and motorbikes not only in Paoay but practically everywhere, he brought to Paoay officials of the Bureau of Customs to do the registration and legitimized their operations, thus accommodated all those from other towns.
Long before the enactment of the solid waste management laws, he initiated the installation of garbage cans along the major streets in the town proper and were collected twice a week. He complemented it by establishing the garbage dumpsite in Mumulaan in a piece of land bought by the municipality then.
It was in 1993 when Paoay Church was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Knowing of the responsibility of the LGU as a consequence of such inscription, and as the centerpiece of local tourism, he was able to request funds from President Ramos for the Churchground/Plaza Improvement. The public plaza was landscaped and the public rest room was constructed. Pursuant to a Presidential directive, the Paoay Church Task Force was organized and thus ushered further church-oriented projects and cultural events.
In was also in 1995 that Mayor Evangelista started to touchbase with OFWs in Hongkong and other Paoayenos abroad. Since then, their organizations were active in socio-cultural events and medical missions. Every year they come back to Paoay during fiesta celebrations and host their own show and sponsor and/or donate projects. Among them, I remember the Sons and Daughters of Los Angeles, USA; the Caballeros de Dimasalang; the Paoay-Currimao Association in Hawaii; the Paoayenos Association of Hongkong; and then came other organizations which I cannot recall anymore their exact names.
In return, it was also during his term that he brought the delegates from Paoay, such as municipal and barangay officials and members of cultural groups, for experiential enrichment and goodwill tours abroad or with those foreign-based organizations.
The Best Mayor of Paoay
This is my conclusion. The foregoing initiatives and accomplishments are my principal basis. Again, there was no Internal Revenue Allotment to rely on from the start, or even there were IRAs much later, they were not multi-millions and schedules of releases were erratic. He was a transition mayor after EDSA Revolution, with no prior, actual and substantial experience in local administration.
To repeat, among the notable Physical Infrastructures were the Public Market, the Abattoir, the Civic Center, the Paoay Police Station, the MCTC building, the Puericulture Center. We have the Paoay Flood Protective Dikes and such other dams, dikes and communal irrigation facilities.
He constructed new bridges in Surgui, in Oaig-Nagcularan, in Sideg, in Monte, in San Agustin, in Nalasin. He made and opened several new access roads or many road networks especially in Sideg, Monte, Cayubog, Oaig-Upay, Bacsil, Masintoc, Mumulaan, Nagbacalan, Suba, Sungadan, Pasil, Nanguyudan, Salbang, Surgui, San Agustin, Cabang-aran, and the access road to the sea in Masintoc and Bacsil.
He fixed and concreted major roads, such as the Processional Road and its drainage canals, the Public Cemetery Road, the Paoay-Pasil Road, the Paoay-Callaguip Road, and significant portions of the Nagbacalan-Sungadan Road, the Paoay-Monte Road. He improved the town plaza. He initiated provisions of potable water supplies of several barangays or areas.
Let me dare say: If ever there were subsequent improvements done on those structures or roads, simply because they were needed. In fact, it is an obligation to repair after they were being used, as a consequence of wear and tear. It is an obligation to improve in order to suit the call of the times.
One thing is basic: One cannot repair or improve something that is not existing. If something exists, simply because there was someone who had initiated and established it. Results of any improvident repairs, or cosmetic touches, cannot be used to claim of being better than the original. To create requires or presupposes deep thought to come up an original concept. To repair or improve is based still on such borrowed concept. But to deface or alter just to annihilate any sign of legacy of the one who truly made them is not anymore improvement.
But it was he who also broached the idea of a so-called Human Infrastructure to complement those Physical Infrastructures. This was the harder part of it. As I then observed, it was hard because, for one thing, his term was already about to end. Secondly, there was no more significant infusion of “new and fresh bloods” to actively participate in this new infrastructure program. There was likewise a sort of complacency among his existing older partners, others were retiring or becoming inactive, while others were naturally weighing their own politics. The usual dynamics of politics. To push forward such human infrastructure initiatives, it demands political will.
There were other ambitious plans he was then mentioning. Although they were started, they were never pursued for reasons I do not know. Among them, I remember the following:
To make the south-eastern part of Paoay Lake area (Pasil, Surgui, and part of Sungadan and Nanguyudan) as the “vegetable bowl” of Paoay considering of the fertile nature of the soil in those areas and availability of water from the lake. On the other hand, to make Cayubog, Paratong, Masucan and Ladiri areas as “garlic bowl” of Paoay.
To enter into a cooperative agreement with DENR for the municipality to administer the forestry projects and facilities in Paoay Lake National Park, and utilize the same as its Municipal Seedling Bank, an Eco-Tourism Project, and Scouts Camp Site.
He intended to construct an illuminating “giant cross” at Pugaro (Nalasin), overlooking the town proper.
Similarly, to enter into cooperative arrangement with Department of Agriculture for the municipality to administer the Bureau of Fisheries facilities in Paoay Lake, and eventually make the same as a separate office of an expanded Municipal Agriculture Office and a Training and Resource Center.
To establish fishery and aquatic research and production facility (brackish) in Bacsil and Masintoc foreshore areas and establish a fishports and fishmarkets thereat.
To establish and maintain a website of the municipality.
To establish a big water reservoir or impounding dam in Sideg or Monte and in Paratong farming areas.
But his style of administration, as a politician, as a leader, was never perfect. Of course, no public official, politicians at that, can claim he or she is perfect? I heard him one time saying, jokingly: Power is the greatest aphrodisiac. I also observed some inconsistencies. It is being said, that “a politician is a creature of his time and a product of the system”.
When he was provoked by political intrigues, he has a tendency to become temperamental, or at times assert his presence and authority with “bluster and bravado” without verifying if they were true. There was even an instance he conspicuously displayed a poster inside his office -- apparently it was a picture of Godfather in the famous novel of Mario Puzo – which bears the statement: If I want your opinion I’ll give it to you.
I cannot forget the following:
He called up a radio announcer and seriously warned him after the latter apparently toying his family name Evangelista into “Evangelisting”.
He wrote a sarcastic answer to a prominent person in town who was criticizing him for introducing airconditioning system in the municipal hall, especially his office. I delivered the letter and the critic got mad at me.
He vehemently objected the transfer of Miss Rosales as District Supervisor of Paoay District into another District even if that was a DECS policy. I asked whether his objections would not also mean to undermine or prejudice the possible career path of her replacement. His answer was along this line: Miss Rosales is now old and about to retire, a single old woman, and dedicated her life to her profession. Why transfer her into a farther place now that she is old, sickly and about to retire? I do not care who her replacement will be; what I am concerned about is the practice of being inhuman to an old woman-teacher, and my mother was a teacher. His objection letter was delivered by another person but the recipient suspected it was me, so she got mad at me also.
Then there were some barangay officials convincing him to establish a cockpit, through cooperative arrangement among them, and label it as ABC Cockpit. He was badly criticized, including in the media: Why a current mayor is taking advantage of his power and position to establish his own cockpit? More negative comments citing conflicts of interests, delicadeza, etc. What he did? He stopped, believing indeed that there might be an element of conflict of interest, or he does not want to be suspected as such forever. Now, there is a cockpit.
Then there were those “day and night clubs“, branded as lali-lali. He justified that those are not illegal per se, but regulated; or they were even advantageous to those regular patrons because they will not be going to Laoag anymore. Again critics blasted him, inside the church, in parties, and in the media. Their claim: Paoay is a World Heritage Site because of Paoay Church, thus those types or recreational establishments has no place in Paoay. Those places undermine our religiosity. What he did? He stopped and did not renew their permits. Now, there are “day and night clubs”. But Paoay is still World Heritage Site and Paoay Church is still there. Maybe we are not anymore religious.
But there was that infamous jueteng, the favorite business or milking cow of the modern-day scions of Dracula. He was criticized for its existence and operations. He was branded as “Solomon” by those who were expecting their shares. What I know is jueteng is still there, renamed STL kuno. What I do not know is the sharing.
Then there were those claims that projects were sub-standards. Others question the results clearly do not commensurate with the indicated project budget. I myself is guilty of this, not once, not twice, but more, questioning also such reality. He knew it, but he was then explaining that in Government, the amount of project budget indicated in the document is not exactly the same with what will be actually received and implemented. But still, he bites the bullet, better than nothing. Still, he reaped more criticisms. It is hoped that his justifications would not be confirmed and used also by those who were then similarly questioning.
When there were perceived or reported irregularities, his political adversaries and critics were free to belt out their usual criticisms not only in the radio, but also automatically deliver privileges speeches in the session hall. He called them as human jukebox that sing when activated by coin. He doesn’t care, but even allowed to go on. Among those issues alleged were: No accounting and reporting of proceeds of fund raising drives, like fiesta celebrations, Guling-guling, lunch-for-a-cause, alay lakad, Bingo, donations or solicits here and abroad, etc. If there are no more privilege speeches or negative comments, is it because there are already prompt, clear and regular accounting and reporting?
He was also perceived as ruthless, have guns and private armed group. Ironically, it was his group that was ambushed and some of his followers were killed, wounded, and justice never served, while his house was attacked by men with high-powered arsenals and was never able to fight back.
As I earlier mentioned, they despised him a lot when he convinced and fielded his wife to run as mayor. He was branded as greedy of power! Pray tell, that those persons are still alive and sane to prove whether or not they were true and truthful to their words and convictions.
I can enumerate more.
But it is indisputable fact that he did many things, many good things, which were not ordinary accomplishments. That Godfather poster was displayed much later. In fact, much earlier, he displayed a framed collage pictures of projects with his hand inscriptions on it: There is no limit to what we can do if do not think of any honor that we get.
Grant that he had some or many mistakes, or even call some as irregularities, or abuse of his discretion and powers then, but who could not commit any, or not committing any mistakes or irregularities? I am just wondering now: If he committed mistakes or irregularities and yet he did many many good accomplishments, how do we call then those who also committed mistakes or irregularities or committing some and at the same time cannot do good things compared to what he did?
Based on my limited understanding, I know there were really deviations from the normal or proper ways of doing, such in the aspects of procurement, prosecution of projects, planning and budgeting process, and some others. If fact, much later when I saw that they may lead to possible more deviations, I advocated changes and reform.
But, still, I concede then and now: he is the best. Notwithstanding his mistakes, which I myself had criticized and even expressed my disagreements, they were not enough to eclipse those good things he did which are so many. They are unprecedented. Even President Marcos was branded by his detractors as the Greatest Thief, but it cannot be denied that many would regard him as the Greatest or Best President the Philippines ever had.
Mayor Tony Evangelista is the Best Mayor that Paoay ever had!
