Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Outstanding Congressman

On December 23, the Red Cross Volunteers held a Christmas Party at the Red Cross Headquarters, Poblacion, Kalibo. There were not so many of us who enjoyed a conversation during the affair. One subject we talked about is the “Most Outstanding Congressman” usually chosen before the end of the year.

Since 1956 after Aklan became a province and one congressional district, only two Aklanon congressmen were recognized and awarded “Most Outstanding Congressman”, pointed out Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, former Aklan Vice Governor. The first is the late Godofredo P. Ramos, the father of Aklan having authored the bill approved into law that made Aklan a province. Goding Ramos was also a great debater and expert in foreign affairs, Tolentino pointed out.

The second is Atty. Allen S. Quimpo who authored the bill and approved into law that mandated the creation of Aklan State University. The law authorized the consolidation of Aklan State College of Agriculture, Banga; New Washington College of Fisheries, New Washington; Roxas Memorial College of Arts and Trades, Kalibo; Panay Northern Teachers College, Makato; and Aklan Technological College, Ibajay into one Aklan State University. Atty. Quimpo is also the principal author of the Basic Education law according to Tolentino.

It was also during the term of Atty. Allen S. Quimpo as congressman (1992 – 2001) when the concreting of the Banga – Altavas road was completed, explained Tolentino.

A question at the back was overheard: “And who will be the third Most Outstanding Congressman from Aklan?”

It is possible the incumbent Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores may follow as the third Most Outstanding Congressman from Aklan, 57 years after Aklan became a province.

Congressman Miraflores has 18 more months to serve in his third and last term as a congressman of the Lone District of Aklan. He can do more in the House of Representatives and earn the distinction of Most Outstanding Congressman.

If it is not possible for Cong. Miraflores, who can and will follow the footsteps of Goding Ramos and Allen S. Quimpo?

Banga Mayor Antonio T. Maming seems to have started his quest to be the Congressman of the Lone District of Aklan. He has been telling his friends and probable supporters he will be a candidate for Congressman in the May 2013 election.

Moreover, Mayor Maming has announced his interest through the radio station RGMA DYRU radio program “Ilitsahan” at about 8:00 o’clock in the morning on Monday, December 19 to become representative of Aklan. Will Maming become Most Outstanding Congressman? Why not? He can if.

First, Mayor Maming will win in the election in May 2013. He won as Mayor of Banga for two successive times. Can he do it and win as Congressman? It is possible provided he has a legislative platform which he will be able to present to the Aklanons and convince them it is the most acceptable legislative program. He needs to sustain and maintain a province wide electoral campaign and match the wit of his political opponents in any language.

Can Mayor Maming make available enough cash and assets which can be readily converted into cash to match the campaign fund of his opponents? He may have close relatives and best friends, so generous to provide cash needed in the campaign. Moreover, Mayor Maming possesses real estate properties convertible to cash.

Let us assume that he won the congressional election in a clean swept. So he took his Oath of Office as Congressman of the Lone District of Aklan. He organizes his office, forms his cong-ressional staff members, advisers, consultants, legal minds, economist, engineers, accountants and others needed.

On the basis of his legislative program and election campaign promises his congressional staff draft/formulate bills and or resolutions to be filed in the House of Representatives. How will Cong. Maming present his bills? Can he match the wit of members of the committee where his bills are assigned for hearing and discussion? What medium of discussion will he use to present and defend his bills on the floor in a plenary session? Will Cong. Maming request the House of Representatives to use Pilipino or Aklanon while they deliberate on his bills?

In his comments through the radio, he stopped studying in elementary level. He is neither engineer nor accountant so he declines to do engineering and auditing jobs.
How about legis-lation? He can at a level.

I admire Banga Mayor Antonio T. Maming. He has a noble aspiration. Please go straight ahead and hit the mark – bull’s eye Mayor Maming! Happy New Year to you all! /MP