As the city observes its 46th Charter day today, Cong. Rene L. Relampagos of the first district of Bohol bares that the 2013 local elections is going to look like a three-cornered fight. When pressed to comment further, Relampagos declared unequivocally that he and the administration party will fully support a Gonzaga-Veloso tandem for the city of Tagbilaran.
Relampagos disclosed that in a meeting of all the key leaders of the administration’s local party coming from the 15 barangays of the city, there was unanimity among them all to give their all-out support for the victory of the Gonzaga-Veloso team up. Running for city mayor is Atty. Augustinus “Dodong” Gonzaga and for vice-mayor under his ticket will be the former city Vice Mayor Toto S. Veloso. Relampagos said that what the city needs is a transition leader who is mature, has competent educational background, has the experience and has access to the present national leadership. The solon feels that Tagbilaran City is very unfortunate to have lagged behind over the years. He added that the people of Tagbilaran need to capitalize on the fact that the governor and himself as first district representative have direct access to Malacañang and so for Tagbilaran to be propelled to more progress and development, the city needs a leader who can effectively work and relate with the governor and congressman to get funding for the city’s needed projects. Relampagos foresees that under a Gonzaga-Veloso leadership in the city by 2013, a lot can be accomplished for the city insofar as addressing the different problems besetting it today is concerned.
Looking at his educational attainment, Dodong Gonzaga as he is fondly called by friends graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Laws degrees at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. After which, he attended a post graduate program at the Harvard Law School in the United States of America. For his professional experience, he was elected governor by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for Eastern Visayas. He also became IBP’s National Director, chairman of its National Legal Aid Management Committee and representative of its Legal Education committee. For his religious upbringing, he has membership to religious groups such as the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), since 1995; Couples for Christ, and Cursillos in Christianity (Rollista) in Bohol. He is also very active in socio-cultural activities as he is a former president of the Tagbilaran Association of Metro Manila Inc.; former vice president of the Bohol Association of Metro Manila Inc.; former president of the Bohol “Sandugo” Jaycees; former director of Philippine National Red Cross, Bohol Chapter and a member of Rotary Club of Makati Central.
Gonzaga was also an awardee of IBP’s Presidential Distinguished Service Award; Plaque of Recognition from the UP Law Alumni Association Class of 1972 and IBP’s Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award, to name a few.
With Gonzaga’s background, Relampagos is confident that he is the LEADER the city needs in its quest for good governance to maximize its potential for progress and development with the end in view of creating JOBS and more ECONOMIC AND LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES for its people.
Author: Jill Christianae A. Rendon
