MikeLigalig.com

By Loy Palapos

Politicians today talk about unification, but most are not privy to the stings and hazards the decision can generate. Chaos and confusion seen to be uncalled for result. Both the administration and opposition parties aspire the image of one-ness; but this has become an illusion, with candidates unable to bring their cots together. If self-interest is the main motivating factor in a group, with members unwilling to relinquish their undivided claims for the good of all, the direction is muddled and incomprehensible. It takes a real man to be steadfast on a move that he knows would not please all. What carries more weight is the conviction that the decision, no matter how crucial, is for the good of the majority. Sacrifices have to be undertaken if upliftment is the goal. The local front is not an alien to this problem, but there are those who can sacrifice their own whims for the general welfare. And if it is the future of Bohol which is at stake, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Falar Herrera is as headstrong as his Roman namesake.

Born on April 21, 1953, under the sign of the bull, where decisive and determined leaders are known, Atty. Julius Caesar F. Herrera is a source of pride for his parents, Sofio Herrera and Narcisa Falar. The fourth and youngest in a family, where leadership is a dominant trademark, Vice Governor Herrera’s innate inclination to excel and succeed has been evident even in his childhood and teen years as a student and fledgling campus leader.

Driven by a strong desire to be of service to the less fortunate in society, he discovered that his passion was in the legal profession and not in the medical world. At this stage in his young life, he crossed the Rubicon, just like the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, and never regretted his decision. He then pursued the calling of the legal discipline at the University of San Jose-Recolletos and successfully hurdled one of the toughest bar examinations in 1981.

Married to Atty. Florenda Leyson Herrera, an equally intelligent and strong-willed woman who is the Labor Attache II, Washington, DC. The couple has 6 children. Herley Ann is a Hotelier in Dubai. Georgia May is a business entrepreneur. Nicole Francis is at the San Beda Law School. Marcus Julius is taking Business and Economics in North Virginia Community College. Margaux Lee is a student at the Cebu Medical Institute. Carla Leandre, is studying International Affairs in North Virginia Community College.

He started his public life as City Legal Officer of General Santos City in 1983. he became Assistant Executive Secretary of the SSS Commission in 1985, and then Labor Arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission – Region VII in 1986. In 1987, when labor leader and brother Ernesto was elected Senator, he was appointed to the very challenging and colorful post of Chief of Staff until 1992. Lawyering, being his second nature, he ended his tour of duty as Chief of Staff and joined the prestigious Soler, Rodriguez, Valerio law firm in Manila as Senior Associate Counsel and devoted his time in defending the causes of his various clients. Despite his mounting success in the legal profession, public service beaconed once again, and inspired by his brother, he decided to focus his full attention in the pursuit of the workman’s welfare, an inclination that made him a Labor Consultant for two years. Another crucial decision which ultimately changed his life.

Still in quest for more defined way of becoming an effective public servant, he finally found his life’s calling when he ran and won as Mayor of Calape in 1995. Like the turtle that was thrown into the water, he discovered his natural talent in leading people to accomplish a common goal with their elected leaders. Under his dynamic leadership, Calape reaped various regional and national awards. He himself was cited in many occasions as Outstanding Mayor for his effective implementation of local projects. DILG bestowed unto the young Mayor an award in Modern Management in Local Administration and DSWD gave him the National Paglilingkod Award. This was capped by his being chosen as a Scholar of the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Federal Republic of Germany, in Berlin, under the Deutsche Fur Internationale Foundation.

His exceptional leadership did not prevail unnoticed; he was elected President of the Provincial Mayor’s League of Bohol. He later moved on to become the National Executive Vice President from 1998 until 2001, and then Acting President of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines.

Only a few and select municipal executives can claim such numerous national and regional citations for local initiative and leadership. It is not promises, but the accomplishments of a leader that speaks most of his true desire to be of service to the people. Thus, Mayor Julius Herrera did not fall short of what was expected of him as Calape’s Chief Executive, and he moved on to put across his message of service to the entire province.

His continued dedication to public service was further manifested when he accepted the challenge of heading the provincial legislature. With the faith of the Boholano electorate, he won the 2001 elections hands down and was officially elevated to the post of Vice-Governor of Bohol. Early in his term as head of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan he was elected by his peers as National President of the League of Vice-Governors of the Philippines because of his exceptional track record in local governance. This feat was duplicated in 2004, when he again was elected Vice Governor, attesting to the trust the Boholanos have for him.

As Vice-Governor, he targets agriculture, health and education to further bolster Bohol as one of the top provinces in the country. Among more salient projections, the Vice Governor wishers to give hope to all Boholanos, not just through legislations but also other projects and activities improving the health of barangay folks through medicines and medical equipment. He also initiated the highly successful Barangay Legislatives Training. With his length of dedicated service and the accomplishments that boldly marked the brand of his leadership, Bohol has more prosperous years to expect with a labor lawyer, trade unionist, implementer, advocator, and effective fiscal manager in Vice-Governor Julius Caesar F. Herrera.

A man with few words, Julius is indeed an epitome of the adage: “Actions speak louder than words.” A team-player, he does not want the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be a stamping pad.

Multi-awarded and accomplished, Atty. Herrera does not miss an opportunity for self-improvement, more so if it redounds to more competent service. From July 24 to August 29, 2003 he represented the country in the US International Visitor Program on Urban Development, a United States Government Study Grant.

This coming election the Vice Governor could have opted to run as Governor, if he were to listen to the advise of many of his friends and associates. But most important to him is the development of the province, not his personal glory. He decided to run as Vice Governor, virtually unopposed. Proverbially, he just cross another Rubicon in his career, all for the good of Bohol.

--published in March 2007

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