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Baptism of Fire at City Hall
By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

 The political cauldron at the Sangguniang Panlungsod has reached scorching hot level, the latest development being the decision of Mayor Dan Neri Lim to go on leave for a month and let Vice Mayor Antonio Salera Veloso take charge in the former’s absence. In the course of the tug-of-war between the administration and opposition legislators, which lately mostly consisted of the majority bloc being charged, especially in media, with various allegations of misdemeanor by the minority comprising the opposition, collateral damages are some of the expected results. Directly exposed to the crossfire are heads of officers and their assistants, whose loyalty is expected to be with the man at the helm of the Executive Body.

 The Treasurer’s Office, the Commission on Audit, the Budget Department and the Provincial Engineer’s Office are just a few offices which have been brought to public scrutiny to shed light on some allegations hurled at the Chief Executive the past couple of years. On this reality an insider commented that the City SP has followed the path of the Senate by spending most precious time in investigations “in aid of legislation”.

 One man who had his baptism of time, and has caught the consciousness of the public is Mr. Kurt Adloph Chatto Bongabong (KCB), a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who was the lone passer from the University of Bohol in the last Bar Exams. He finished BS Accountancy at Siliman University and became a CPA in 2002. He went to Manila and worked with SGV (SyCip, Gorres and Velayo) for almost two years, until he was hired in the Legislative Staff of the Vice Mayor Nueves T. Montes in 2004. In 2007, he transferred to the Accounting Department as Assistant Department Head and Acting Head of the Accounting Department. At 27, this CPA-Lawyer has a lot of options for betterment.

 This interview took place at the Tagbilaran City Hall on May 22, 2009. Atty. Bongabong struck me as typically Boholano in his humility, whose wholesome features could make him go places. Devoid of any pretension of neither dexterity nor greatness in his chosen career, he is a hard-working professional whose integrity has not yet been tarnished by metropolitan sophistication.

 LMP:  Was it your early dream to be an Accountant?

 KCB:  Yes. It was when I was in the elementary grades. When I graduated from high school, there was no other field I was interested in. And my parents supported me all along the way.

 LMP:  Why? What is in the profession that inspired you most?

 KCB:  I have met some Accountants, and I saw in them a personification of dignity and accomplishment without being high strung and flamboyant. Their coolness and in-depth perception impressed me. Besides, I perceived that Accountants are respected, for many of them occupied high position in both the private world and in the government bureaucracy.

 LMP:  Why did you have to go to Dumaguete to study Accounting?

 KCB:  Siliman University is the best Accounting school in the country. Graduating from a school with high standards, can get the best from any person. Besides, a product of a good school seldom finds any problem landing on a good job.

 LMP:  Why SyCip, Gorres and Velayo?

 KCB:  It’s the top accounting firm in the country. When I decided to join SGV I knew it would be a great learning experience. My exposure to the firm, even how brief, inculcated into my mind the intricacies of accounting and auditing, this time not just in the classroom, especially that our clients were the tops in the corporate world.

 LMP:  Why did you leave SGV?

 KCB:  I got bored doing the same things again and again. I realized I needed to study, to learn more, and develop myself more, for a better life.

 LMP:  Why law?

 KCB:  It was a career move. I realized a more comprehensive knowledge of Law, could make me a better Accountant, and vice versa. I also found out later that Law is more challenging than Accounting. And the two complement each other.

 LMP:  What was your feeling when the last bar results were made public, and you turned out to be the lone passer from UB?

 KCB:  Wala lang. Nothing extraordinary. Of course, I was happy. My family, too. But I did not consider it a spectacular achievement.

 LMP:  Now that you are both a CPA and a Lawyer, where will your concentration be?

 KCB:  Accounting and auditing have been my life-blood since my college days. This time, I will concentrate as a Lawyer. I need more mileage, exposure, and experience in this new field. But I will be an Accountant at the same time.

 LMP:  Do you have your first court case as a lawyer?

 KCB: Wala pa. But I am looking forward to it. If concentration is needed, I will give it my time.

 LMP:  Would that not impede in your other present obligations?

 KCB:  No. it won’t. It’s a question of time management.

 LMP:  Do you perceive yourself doing two jobs at the same time?

 KCB:  At the start, perhaps. But years from now, when I have a full grab of the ins-and-outs of Law practice, I will have more time for it. My ultimate goal is to practice law fulltime.

 LMP:  As acting Accounting Chief at City Hall, you have been invited to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session to clarify some points. Was it not a big burden on your part? Were you not intimidated, especially that you needed sometimes to cross words with politicians, and became controversial?

 KCB:  When I accepted this job I had already anticipated that this will happen. It is a part of my responsibilities to clarify matters. I have no insecurities of becoming controversial. I am a simple guy. And no, I am not intimidated. I will just do my job regardless of controversies. My conscience is clear.

 LMP:  How about negative remarks from a few who believe you could be bias?

 KCB:  I know my job, and I can handle things professionally. I don’t antagonize anybody. Not even any personal bias.

 LMP:  What if a few oppositionists perceive you as bias?

 KCB:  That, I don’t have any control. If a person believes I am bias, that’s his problem. As I said, I just do my job professionally and I have no inclination to antagonize anybody.

 LMP:  How’s your relationship with the Mayor?

 KCB:  The Mayor is very supportive with everything I do as an Accountant. We approach all issues professionally without any string attached.

 LMP:  How about the prerogative to make decisions? 

 KCB:  On my level, he trusts all decisions I have done.

 LMP:  Do you also trust the Mayor?

 KCB:  Of course. I won’t be effective in my job. Trust begets trust. I believe he is doing his job right.

 LMP:  How about the opposition?

 KCB:  It’s their right to oppose. This is a democratic country. There’s check and balance. But it should be within the bounds of Law.

 LMP:  Let’s go to the lighter side of life. You are 27 years old. When will you marry?

 KCB:  In my 30’s.

 LMP:  Is age that important?

 KCB:  Not necessarily. What is important is being ready for the phase, emotionally and financially. 

 LMP:  What kind of girl? You are handsome. Does she also have to be beautiful?

 KCB:  Not necessarily beautiful. Not a superwoman. Maybe, a little brain. A college graduate so we can share life together without tipping off the balance. Emotionally prepared. And we love each other enough to sacrifice a little of oneself for the other.

 LMP: What’s your projection about your future? Your stay in City Hall?

 KCB:  Maybe, 5 years.

 LMP:  Any frustrations?

 KCB:  There are some rules that are very restrictive in the government bureaucracy. For instance, the regulations about personnel. You want to streamline the process, but the rules are already established. There are rules that are very prohibitive. I hope the practice of law could give a new perspective.

 LMP:  Is it your plan to be a full-parcticing lawyer?

 KCB:  That’s an option I always give a thought.

 LMP:  Because it is financially rewarding?

 KCB:  Definitely not for that reason. It does not follow that if you are a lawyer you get rich. What appeals most to me is the service I can render to others, without minding financial benefits.

 LMP:  How about entering politics? Is it a possibility?

 KCB:  Not in the immediate future. But if I were to decide to enter the political realm, I’d prefer to do it in Albur, my hometown.

 LMP:  As a councilor?

 KCB:  Perhaps. But not in the near future. I want to be a good lawyer first. The humility of Atty. Kurt Bongabong and his absence of cosmopolitan finish are innate, not a put-on mask to hide an agendum. Being a CPA and a Lawyer are rolled into one amiable amalgamation to be an ace in every quest he makes. He trusts and he can be trusted, principled as he is. “I live life as it is”, he informed me, with that boyish grin from a clear conscience. He is going places…there’s no doubt about it. He tackles his job in utmost professionalism despite some controversies not of his own making.

 Meanwhile, he relishes life in every stroke he does. I seldom see a really happy and contented man at 27. Kurt is, and more. 

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