THE GENTLEMAN FROM BOOL

Here is a very short story that needs to be told and retold. There must be other such untold stories around. But this one I personally heard and I want to share this in the hope that it can add to the counter-culture against widespread corruption in our government.

Jose Ibao Angalot of Bool District in Tagbilaran City served our government for some 31 long years in various capacities. He rose from the ranks until he chose to run for public office as a city councilor and got elected for multiple terms. I am sure he had his own shortcomings as a public servant. But let us accentuate the best that we know of to learn from his experiences.

Constituents, friends, and relatives fondly call him Nong Boy. His sister in-law had this to say:

“Decades ago, I was pregnant when my husband met a road accident in Jagna. Boy really went out of his way to help us. He told me to just stay put here in the city while he was the one who went to Jagna to assist my husband. But the most significant aspect of his assistance was not limited to that. It came in terms of values and blessings that we only realized after so many years have passed.

“I and my husband were into business and we ventured as bidders or suppliers in the city government. When Boy was chairman of the committee on appropriations at the city council we were expecting him to help us corner juicy contracts. But he would have none of that. At that time, we kept on murmuring among our relatives that Boy never helped us in the business. We were also witnesses to the fact that his wife at times complained that a big chunk of what he earned as a city councilor was primarily spent to help his constituents in manifold ways. He and his family had to somehow sacrifice.

“But today, we realized that what he did was right. Perhaps if he was a corrupt public official he would have helped us become rich and would have enriched himself, too. However, he was not an opportunist. And we now profusely thank him for his fortitude in not succumbing to such temptations. He chose to tread the path of simple living and honest public service. We are truly proud of him.”

Indeed, the gentleman from Bool was a rare breed. Known for his sense of humor and proficiency in writing, he was an exemplary humble man worthy of emulation; a far-cry from our present crop of politicians.