BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
WATER inside Bacolod’s political kawali is now boiling.
Aside from the much-awaited duel between incumbent Mayor Bing Leonardia and his formidable challenger, billionaire and gaming mogul Albee Benitez, the race for vice mayor (VM) would be another thing to watch.
Independent councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa Jr., on July 26, 2021, declared he is running for VM with or without a party.
In case there are no changes, he’ll be up against incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and former vice mayor Thaddy Sayson.
El Cid’s for Bing and Thaddy’s for Albee.
Jun, on the other hand, will be a “lone ranger”, thus, the “#juntheunderdog” sprung as his possible political battle cry.
To be an underdog, however, is biblical. The Holy Writ tells us about the three famous underdog characters – Gideon, Moses and David. Each of them simply surrendered to God that, ultimately, made them stronger in facing their every mission or battle, and they triumphed.
Because 1 Cor. 1:27-29 says, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.”
But El Cid, Thaddy and Jun are all good, prim and proper at that. And whoever wins for VM, Bacolod’s still lucky.
What’s admirable though about Jun are his courage, positive disposition and outlook in life. In the world politics, it cannot be denied that running for any position sans political party and machinery could be an uphill battle unless you’re providential. But for Jun, he said it only takes a lot of discerning, prayers and soul searching before deciding to run for the second top post in the city. In short, he lifted everything to heaven.
Asked about his chance of winning? “It’s all up to God,” he declared.
Jun ain’t afraid of losing. Rather he’s afraid to be trapped in cold politics, snake pit and corruptible compromises. So heavy to understand what he means. But it can be sized-up that Jun is talking sense.
“After all, what’s valuable to me is, losing or winning at this time, the learning experience,” he said.
Thus, he doesn’t consider both El Cid and Thaddy as political enemies but as worthy opponents. “I am (just) presenting myself as an alternative for VM, not to oppose but to propose new policies and platforms.”
Jun, too, believes in faith and destiny. And, he said, his promises (in public office) are always anchored on fairness and integrity. “And I will always remain as fiscalizer to whichever is the dominant political party.”
Thus, Jun, in a real sense, is “anak talaga ng tatay n’ya” – the late Wilson Gamboa Sr. The elder Wilson was a great lawyer – brilliant, eloquent, brave, steadfast.
On record, Wilson Sr. was the only lawyer in Bacolod that had served four presidents of the Republic of the Philippines – Ferdinand Marcos, Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Joseph Estrada.
The way Jun talks and expresses his thoughts – he’s not just a junior but a “carbon copy” of the elder Wilson.
Jun, like his dad, also speaks on several issues without fear and favor. Everybody knows he’s not a “moneyed” politician, but a principled one. But he’s rich in terms of supporters because of his uncompromised crusades meant to protect the interest of the poor, especially of the oppressed.
Jun is against the controversial joint venture of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and Manny Villar’s Prime Water.
He’s also active on the issue involving Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), especially on the alleged over-contracting of power supply, pestering brownouts, and the skyrocketing of power rates.
I remember then the column of the late Rolly Espina when he called Jun a “Miracle Boy” or the “Santino” of Bacolod after he won as councilor in 2007.
That time, I was still a city hall beat reporter, and Jun was notable as young and handsome councilor.
But aside from good looks, he was noted, too, because of his firm opposition to several issues like the controversial Felisa dumpsite and Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (BREDCO) Take-Over Ordinance. It was also that time when he was branded as the “prodigal son” of Mayor Bing.
But Jun’s independent disposition was really tested on the highly-controversial issue of the Arao property, which the city wanted to buy such to be converted into a relocation site for the city’s squatters.
With a lot of questionable points, Jun stood his ground and, alone, voted against the proposal. He termed it: “It broke a Camel’s back!”
From then on, he lost a formidable political ally – Mayor Bing.
In 2010, he tested his might by running for vice mayor as an independent, but lost to Thaddy. However, such defeat didn’t deter him to continue serving the public. “I remember then what my dad told me that politics is not honey and roses.”
Thus, in 2013, he came back and won anew as councilor.
In 2019, he met another strenuous ordeal – winning as the No. 12 and lone opposition in the city council in such a “dragging” and “breath-stopping” canvassing of votes.
Yes, Jun was ostracized, but survived the odds. There was also a time that he was labeled an “infamous” entity in the city because of his misunderstood crusades in defense of the poor Bacolodnons.
But he stressed that no one can ever trample upon his will to help the poor duly moored on three basic principles – respect of law, social justice and good governance. After all, Jun claimed, “You need not have to be councilor to be true.”
Meanwhile, going up against all odds is not an easy doing. Much more in joining Bacolod politics which requires someone to be “rich” both in money and political connects. Jun, however, is (always) the opposite of the said political norm. Just armed with faith and trust in God, he believes he can weather another political storm in his life.
With the current health and economic crisis, again, he offers himself to be an alternative but equipped with vision and mission to propel the city council to greater heights still for the good of the common “taos”.
What a humble offering indeed.
For sure, Atty. Wilson, Sr. is now smiling in heaven.
And if there’s a telco (telecommunications company) in heaven, he’ll probably send a text message, “Jun, you’re my son!”/PN
