Author Topic: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol  (Read 4957 times)

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An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« on: December 14, 2009, 10:52:45 AM »
No Gold to Buy Votes
By Loy Palapos

   The political arena could be a dog-eat-dog hades where, in order to survive, one must be equipped with a complete arsenal for warfare, and must not be fettered by ethical standards that make real heroes out of ordinary man. And should advance tongue-in-check while negating age-old value systems honored through the generations. If he has guts… meaning, he can shock others with atrocities that don’t shock him anymore… meaning, he can out-distance his adversaries in adorable actions that negate decency… he may survive. If he has gold… the commodity that brings in loyalty, influences, and power (not mentioning outright vote-buying)… he will succeed.

   Atty. Tomas Dahab Abapo, Jr. (TDA) has guts… the kind the motivates achievers. He is also smart… or he won’t be a Lawyer, a Board Member, a Dean, and a Provincial Administrator. It is gold he doesn’t have, a common denominator among successful politicians. Thus, when he was tapped to team-up with Atty. Julius Caesar Herrera in the forthcoming elections, not a few asked whether he can succeed in a race where the bank book reigns supreme.

   This interview took place last weekend, where I chanced upon Dean Abapo at the Provincial Capitol Tennis Court, where he was unwinding and fighting off office stress. Ever the accommodating friend, dating back to his student days at good old Divine Word College (Holy Name University) where he was a top-reaching stalwart in the College of Law, he answered my queries amidst the heat, the dust, and the noise. Interrupted several times, while the tennis games were on, we survived the foreboding atmosphere, and ended up becoming closer friends.

         LMP:  You are a lawyer, an educator, an administrator, a politician, a father and a husband? Which of the six roles takes much of your time? In what instances?

         TDA:  My family is my priority. Outside the family, administratorship takes much of my time for it is not an ordinary 8-hour job.

         LMP:  Which requires more effort? How?

         TDA:  Being an administrator demands much effort. As Provincial Administrator, I manage the affairs of the province in representation of the Provincial Governor.

         LMP:  Which do you enjoy most? Why?

         TDA:  I enjoy being a family man the most. Next to that, I derive the same satisfaction and enjoyment from my other roles.

   LMP:  What role don’t you like? Why?

   TDA:  I like all of them.

   LMP:  What role is the most fulfilling? How?

         TDA:  The most fulfilling is my role in the family – as a husband and as a father. All my other roles are of course equally fulfilling.

         LMP:  How long have you served the Province of Bohol as a Board Member? Was it a fulfilling job?

         TDA:  I have served our Province for 10 ½ years. 1 ½ years as OIC Board Member and 9 years as Elected Board Member.

         LMP:  What were the legislations at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which you are proud to have authored? Why?

         TDA:  I can’t exactly remember the titles and details of the legislations I authored. Basically, my priority legislations were on food security, education and health. Education, because it is the key to success in life. Food security, because we have a lot of infrastructures and development projects, but these are of little value to an ordinary Boholano who wakes up with no food on the table and learns on an empty stomach. And legislations that impact on health are important for obvious reasons.

         LMP:  As an Administrator, what problems have you encountered, and how did you solve them?

         TDA:  Managerial and implementation problems. These problems require concerted solutions that can be solved by getting the cooperation and coordination of the department heads and provincial employees concerned under the guidance of the Provincial Government. Basically, my guide is doing what is good for the province and avoiding what is detrimental or inimical to the interests of the Province.

         LMP:  Is being a Dean and educator a financially rewarding vocation? How long have you been teaching? What would you consider the best compensation an educator has?

         TDA:  No, it is not financially rewarding. But, the satisfaction of educating students, preparing them for the Bar and ultimately producing lawyers, is a fulfillment which cannot be financially quantified. Since 1978 until the present – continuous and uninterrupted. The best compensation for being a teacher is the sense of fulfillment I feel in producing graduates and new lawyers.

         LMP:  What effect has politics to an educator and vice versa? In your case has it been all on the positive side?

         TDA:  Effects of Politics to educator: I get to impart to my students my experience in dealing with governments, the community and its constituents. Educator to politics: I have the chance to apply the theoretical, scholarly tenets and ideals in my life as politician. Of course, both work positively to my advantage. Otherwise, I would have given up one for the other.

         LMP:  So, you have decided to join the next political derby as a Vice Governor of the Province of Bohol. What are the qualifications and preparations that make you fit for the position?

         TDA:  A Vice-Governor performs two-fold functions: 1) Legislator, as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and 2) Executive Officer, as Governor’s assistant. As Legislator, I have been a Board Member for 10 ½ years. As Executive Officer, I have been the Provincial Administrator who does everything that the Governor can do, under his authority, for almost 6 years. Experience-wise, I believe I am qualified for this position.

         LMP:  What is your political party affiliation with your running mate? What advantages has your team compared to others?

         TDA:  Nacionalista Party. Advantages: 1) In the Philippines, one enters politics basically for either of these two reasons: a) business; or b) service. The Herrera-Abapo tandem is for service. 2) For us, there is no trickery. We believe that black is black and white is white. We will be doing our job, our mandate, as we are called for without ill intentions.

         LMP:  There are those who say that, compared to other Vice Gubernatorial aspirants, you are the one with less financial backing? Do you believe this angle is very important? How will you face this problem?

         TDA:  That is true. I believe, however, that Boholanos are now educated voters and will vote in accordance with their conscience. We don’t need to buy votes. I am confident the Boholanos will vote for the right candidate.

         LMP:  Your record as Board Member and Provincial Administrator are proofs of your capabilities in public service. How would you translate this into votes in the May election? 

         TDA:  By informing people what I have done as Legislator and as Executive Officer. I believe that actions speak louder than words.

         LMP:  What advantages has the Herrera-Abapo tandem on the others in the forthcoming electoral derby?

         TDA:  We act more and say less. We do what is required of us without trickery and ill motives. As what we have said, for us, black is black, white is white.

         LMP:  Who are your team-mates in the Congressional level? How about in the Provincial Board?   

         TDA:  Congressional Board: 1st District: Atty. Oscar Glovasa – adopted NP candidate, 2nd District: Governor Erico B. Aumentado – guest candidate, 3rd District: Agriculture Secreatry Arthur Yap – guest candidate; Provincial Board: 1st District: Atty. Raul Barbarona, Atty. Danilo Bantugan, Kagawad Doris Obena, 2nd District: Board Member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy – guest candidate, Businessman Gerry Garcia; 3rd District: Atty. Dionisio Balite, Board Member Bienvenido Molina, Former Mayor Felix V. Casingcasing, PCL President Brigido Z. Imboy – guest candidate 

   LMP:  What criteria do you use in the choice of candidates in the Municipal level?

         TDA:  We welcome those who adhere or desire to adhere to the core tenets and ideals of the Nacionalista Party.

         LMP:  Has Governor Erico Aumetado his support in this latest race you are in? What could be the reasons why he has supported you and your running-mate?

         TDA:  We have informed Governor Aumentado of our intentions and he respected our decision. He knows that we are capable for the positions we are aspiring for.

         LMP:  What percentage of the incumbent Mayors in Bohol are with you and Vice Governor Herrera? Do you believe Mayors make Governors and Vice Governors? How?

         TDA:  As far as incumbent mayors are concerned, we have less percentage as of the time for filling of certificates of candidacy. But you will be surprised at the support of the incumbent mayors we will be generating when campaign period commences. Sometimes and under favorable circumstances. Ultimately, however, it is the people who vote for their leaders.

         LMP:  Which of the three Districts and 47 Municipalities and City do you consider your turf in vote-generation? Why?

         TDA:  I consider the whole Bohol my turf because in my almost 17 years in public service, I have served the whole province.

         LMP:  When you left the Provincial Capitol and your job as Provincial Administrator, it was clear from all angles that you won to your side all sectors and departments. Would this be your big favor in the balance scale? How?

         TDA:  Definitley. I have established good personal relations with department heads and employees. I am very confident that they will vote for me in the elections.

         LMP:  What will be your program(s) of government to present to the voters in the campaign trial?       

         TDA:  My priority programs will be on food security, education and health care. Most importantly, my platform of governance will be anchored on real public service. I am in politics for service, not for business.

         One big advantage of Atty. Abapo in public service is his affinity and closeness with the less-privileged sectors of society. He does not deny he is a “promdi”, a provinciano by heart and soul; but one who strives hard to attain a higher level of existence. He comes from the masses he serves; thus, service is never an ordeal but a privilege. He feels honored serving all Boholanos.

         Although he admits he does not have the “gold” that buys votes, he believes the Boholanos have now the wisdom of choice. They will vote for those who can serve them well. 

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lindy

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Re: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2009, 10:54:01 AM »
Kini si Tommy dili pod lisod duolon.

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A Champion is a dreamer that refused to give up!

johnrambo

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Re: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2009, 12:02:46 AM »
abapo is a good choice for vice gov.

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lindy

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Re: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2009, 05:53:36 AM »
bitaw kon ibasi lang gyud nato sa pagka maayong tawo, leadership, dili hambugero, mga plata porma ug mga pamaagi sa usa ka tawo nga mosilbi sa publico Abapo is the best choice. Kon ipaagi ug kuartahay murag mag ilog gyud ni si Conching ug Jala.

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A Champion is a dreamer that refused to give up!

TOPAC

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Re: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2010, 04:07:57 PM »
bitaw kon ibasi lang gyud nato sa pagka maayong tawo, leadership, dili hambugero, mga plata porma ug mga pamaagi sa usa ka tawo nga mosilbi sa publico Abapo is the best choice. Kon ipaagi ug kuartahay murag mag ilog gyud ni si Conching ug Jala.

nahimuot ko. basin ang monthly allowance ni conching gikan ni ng asyon, mas dako pa sa net worth ni jala, hihihi.

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:-)

lapyahan

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Re: An Interview with Tomas Abapo Jr., Future Vice-Governor of Bohol
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2010, 04:56:51 PM »
based sa interview, best choice si Abapo kay mo fit sa iya experience pagka board member og pagka provincial administrator.  kuartahay, compared to the others, he said that it's true that he is the one with less financial backing but he believes that Boholanos will vote for the right candidate.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=24245.0
sa lapyahan maaninaw ang panagtagbo sa yuta, dagat og langit.

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