IT WAS during a campaign rally for local candidates in Mandaue City in 1980 that I saw in person the late congressman and Cebu City councilor Antonio V. Cuenco. Then Assemblyman Natalio “Talyux” Bacalso of Pusyon Bisaya was delivering his speech for the said rally when he jokingly asked Cuenco to translate his speech from Cebuano to English for those who could not understand Cebuano.
Tony ran for assemblyman in the 1978 elections but lost. He shifted to the opposition in several campaign sorties for the local elections in January 1980. In rallies, he would appear on stage along with opposition bigwigs of Pusyon Bisaya. Still, the political tide turned unfavorable for him. He was arrested along with Vicente “Vic” Abangan and Nenita “Inday Nita” Daluz for attacking the regime. He was one of the many in Cebu who fought against the despot, detained and endured humiliation for his political conviction. He ran for assemblyman in the 1984 elections representing Cebu City South District. He got an overwhelming vote, but his stint stopped after the People Power in 1986.
Tony’s career continued. He never lost any election for a House seat. Armed with great love for public service with no signs of slowing down, he ran for a seat in the Cebu City Council and won. He did this sans any second thoughts of having a government position much lower than what he had held. Indeed, we have lost a true and dedicated public. It’s painful for him to die while still serving in the Council. With his long years in public service, he brought into fruition the mission God has entrusted to him.