I feel the need to share a portion of a statement by Bacolod City mayoral candidate, former Bacolod City Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, with regard to the endorsement she received from Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. last month during the Christmas party held for provincial government employees.

“I feel blessed to receive this wonderful gift, on the occasion of my birthday, from a man who is well-respected and widely-recognized for his work as a public servant for many years. I thank Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. for publicly endorsing my candidacy as mayor of the City of Bacolod and declaring his trust and confidence in my capacity to lead and help effect changes in Bacolod.

In his speech before provincial government employees, he said many are asking him to run for mayor of Bacolod but he said ‘Kapoy na tuhod ko (My knees are already tired).’ Instead, he said someone is running whom he believes can clean up Bacolod, put [the] system and order back, and provide jobs and opportunities. He challenged everyone by saying: ‘This is my last campaign. I will exhaust all means to campaign with the help of all the voters of Bacolod to clean up Bacolod – mentally, physically and morally.’ He repeated the phrase ‘Limpyuhan ta ang Bacolod (Let’s clean up Bacolod).’

His endorsement is very special to me not only for political reasons but because he is one of my exemplars for his brand of leadership.

Let me share a few major points based on my observations in having worked with the governor for several years.

He is a symbol of inclusive leadership, one that listens and welcomes new ideas and solutions marked with innovation and out-of-the-box strategies. He would go to other places and carefully observe their best practices, then he would improve, adjust, or modify these concepts and replicate them for the province. He was always happy to share what he saw in other cities and countries and would proudly say, ‘We will do these in Negros Occidental,’ and would always add why he can do it better.

He would intently listen to ideas being presented to him, especially when these ideas redound to the benefit of the Negrosanons in terms of making their [lives] easier and giving them jobs and opportunities. I remember him always patiently listening as I [ran] through the numbers when we created job targets for the Negros First ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Investments program and several other ICT related projects.

He is an unassuming leader who always wants to keep a low profile. He tells me always not to include his pictures in any publication that I did for information on communications technology. He would say, ‘Put the more important data for investors to see and not a picture of me.’

He is someone who would always give credit where credit is due. I remember him always saying, every time he meets ICT investors, the one who really works hard for ICT jobs to come to Bacolod and Negros Occidental was me and he was just there to support the direction. He is someone who is not hungry for praises but always generous in praising others when they deserve it. He firmly and fully understands the need to create skilled talent for ICT jobs and he would always check whether we have enough manpower to supply more ICT investments. He would always highlight and support the programs of the Negros Occidental Language and ICT Center. He would always ask me to help and promote NOLITC.

He is one person who pursues an idea that [interests] him with passion and I would remember from time to time that he would call me and share ICT-related ideas and ask my opinion.

When we were developing the Negros First CyberCentre, he would patiently listen to updates about the feasibility study on projects. It took more than a year to finalize all the studies and present [them] to the public. He wanted to ensure that, before the project is undertaken, which will cost a big amount of loan, the revenue and job targets were already in place.

I have so much to share about this man who I consider as my second father. He gave me a chance to help him as governor of the province [and], for that alone, I am very thankful. Now our fates are sealed – I am humbled and truly honored for him to raise my hands [on] that stage last night but, above all, I am in awe; how a leader can speak up and stand up for Bacolod with courage and firmness.

I am truly praying to the Lord for people to follow his example and be silent no more. We [have] had enough of leadership that has rendered itself obsolete and self-destructive. I [no longer] consider it ‘leadership,’ but purely a case of people in power managing the city but not inspiring innovation [and] not inspiring obedience and inclusion.”/WDJ