AT long last, the citizenry had spoken!
Our national, provincial, and municipal officials to govern their respective offices had been elected. The voice of the governed had been duly identified in the selection of the candidates.
The next step is in the quality of performance they can offer to their respective constituents.
To the neophyte in this political field, this is the most crucial event in his life which is worthy to be watched by those who voted for him.
It is informed and advised of him that he was elected to serve his electorates. And, NOT to serve himself.
To the reelectionist, however, this is the proper time to scrutinize his past in the service to his constituents as basis for “Going Beyond” for the good and betterment of his people.
Think more for your electorates.
But worse, for the political lame duck who failed in his reelection bid. It’s time for him to reminisce his past record as an occupant of his political office.
And, ultimately repent!
For what reasons?
Mistakes and inaccuracies may have been committed during his incumbency that resulted in his failed reelection. Consequently these failures were made as the political issues by his adversaries during the campaign and got the heartfelt and special attention from the electorates.
Then, his political debacle followed.
More specially if these blunders were deeply rooted in the minds of the electorates to have been committed with willful knowledge and premeditation by the politico!
In this particular case, there could be no other option left for the electorate but to REJECT his candidacy.
Take the case of the “It’s payback time” episode. (This incident maybe monotonous considering that this was discussed during the past issue of this paper.)
However, for the sake of a closer understanding on the issue, here it goes . . . . . .
Short Cuts was then an incumbent senior board member of the province in that particular year. While Atty. Art Yap was also serving his last term as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture under the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo.
It was in that particular year that a close friend of Short Cuts from the provincial office of the COMELEC approached him and requested him not to object on the transfer of residence of Atty. Art Yap from Manila to the Municipality of Loboc.
Anxious of the move as narrated to Short Cuts, he asked his friend from the COMELEC as to the reasons of such transfer.
“Gusto siyang mag Congressman sa Third District!” was the answer.
With no other option left to Short Cuts, he said: “Ok, pa rehistroha sa Loboc.”
True enough, Atty. Art Yap was able to register as a bonafide resident of Loboc that qualified him to run for Congress of the district.
As to his ambition, Short Cuts was with him. He campaigned for him.
He won in Valencia. Barangay Cansibao unanimously supported him!
And, to the delight of Short Cuts, he easily WON the congressional fight!
Now comes the last fiscal year of Congressman Art Yap’s first term in office.
This is the most unforgettable issue!
Why?
Congressman Art Yap gave a P250,000.00 worth of project to all the 35 barangays in the Municipality of Valencia. Short Cuts knew of this, and he was happy to receive the news.
But, while all the 34 barangays of the municipality were in celebration after receipt of the amount, all the barangay officials and residents of Short Cuts’ barangay – Cansibao – “nag Biyernes Santo ang gibati”
“Ngano man?”
Short Cuts’ Barangay Cansibao did not receive the amount for the project!
Chancing on him a week later, Short Cuts had to ask him, “Congressman, asa ra man ang P250,000.00 para sa among barangay”?
His answer to Short Cuts’ question?
Igo ra lamang nangawot sa iyang ulo ug mi-ingon, “Ang MAYOR man god ba!” (He was referring to then incumbent Mayor Concepcion O. Lim)
Without any other recourse left, Short Cuts had to leave.
Then, after graduating his nine-year term as a congressman, he run and won as governor of the province in the May 2019 local elections.
Eight months later – January 2020 – the Municipality of Valencia celebrated the yearly town fiesta. And, GOVERNOR ART YAP was Short Cuts’ one of the invited guests.
And, to Short Cuts’ surprise, the first statement uttered to me by GOVERNOR ART YAP was: “Now, IT’S PAYBACK TIME”.
He was referring to the P250,000.00 worth of project that was not delivered to Barangay Cansibao when he was still serving as congressman of the district.
And, who would not be happy to hear the assurance?
Therefore, Short Cuts had to relay the message to his barangay mates and officials the soonest possible time.
And, they waited and waited and waited.
The waiting seemed eternity.
Until the May 9, 2022 national and local elections!
For the first time, the wise voters of Barangay Cansibao voted against the reelection of GOVERNOR ART YAP.
So, the barangay electorates paid back GOVERNOR ART YAP for not fulfilling his assurance.
He miserably LOST in Cansibao, Valencia!!!
