FORMER Davao City Councilor Bonifacio "Boni" Militar, proponent of many landmark ordinances in the city, passed away on Thursday morning, September 1. He was 83.
His grandson Councilor Bonz Militar broke the news on his social media account.
Bonz said his "Lolo Boni" was his "role model," which influenced him to enter public service.
"[D]espite the hardships he's been through, he persevered and became successful. We'll always admire you for that, Lolo/Papa Boni," the young Militar said.
In an interview with SunStar Davao on Thursday afternoon, Bonz said the former councilor succumbed to severe pneumonia leading to myocardial infarction around 4 a.m.
Militar was admitted to a hospital for medication a week before his passing, Bonz said, adding that he had long been experiencing lingering illness.
"Last night, nakastorya pa namo siya. Medyo okay pa si lolo last night, and then suddenly, ganihang kadlawon [September 1] nanawag na ang family na di kaayo mu-respond si lolo. Padulungay na gyud, hangtod sa gi-declare na gyud sa doctor, katong iyang reason [sa death] na severe pneumonia leading to myocardial infarction," Bonz said.
(We were able to talk to him last night by phone. My lolo was still okay last night, and when dawn came, the family called and said that he is not responding anymore. Later on, the doctor declared my grandfather’s death due to severe pneumonia leading to myocardial infarction.)
He admitted that he did not expect his grandfather's passing, considering that he was expecting that he would already be discharged.
Bonz said he was not able to personally see his lolo for the last time. The councilor said he was quarantined for 14 days after testing positive for Covid-19.
Bonz, a newly elected councilor, served as his grandfather’s chief of staff from 2016 to 2022.
Despite retiring from politics, the young Militar said his grandfather continued to guide him in his councilor duties.
"Every now and then, naa koy mga item, naa ko mga ginabuhat diria sa Council. ako nang gina-share sa iya kay mao makapalipay sa iya. Mubalik iyang eagerness to work. Gahulat gyud na siya'g updates sa akoa," Bonz said.
(I share all my happenings in the Council, whenever I am working on an ordinance item, and any other activities in the council. That makes him happy and brings back his eagerness to work. He always looks forward whenever I give him updates.)
Humble beginnings
Bonz shared how his Lolo Boni became determined to be a top-caliber lawyer.
He said the late councilor worked as a waiter and had been selling items to sustain his studies.
"Daghan gyud siyag gipagdaan. Bilib gyud ko kay lolo kay bisan pobre kaayo na sila sa una, nakahuman gyud siya'g law," Bonz said.
(My grandfather went through a lot. I admire my lolo because despite growing up in poverty, he was determined to finish his law studies.)
Militar became a lawyer for a private firm and became a Dean of the College of Law at the University of Mindanao.
The longtime councilor landed his first term at the 9th City Council in 1988. He served the council from 1988 to 1998, 2004 to 2010 and 2013 until he retired in 2022.
Landmark Ordinances
Militar had passed various ordinances for the welfare of Dabawenyos.
However, he said one of the few landmark ordinances he passed in the Council are the Anti-Smoking Ordinance, Firecracker Ban Ordinance, and Liquor Ban Ordinance.
Under the Anti-Smoking Ordinance, smoking in public areas is punishable and has a corresponding fee.
For the Firecracker Ban Ordinance, it prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and other similar devices and explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
The liquor ban, meanwhile, mandates that serving or consuming liquor and any other alcoholic and intoxicating drinks in public shall be prohibited between 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.
"Karon, ang uban niini, gina-apply na sa tibuok Pilipinas (Now, some of these ordinances are being adapted in the entire country)," he said.
Condolences from colleagues
Davao City Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain, in a text message to SunStar Davao, extended his condolences to the Militar family.
Quitain said the late councilor was his mentor, especially when entered the council in 2016.
"I would always ask for his advice, especially when I became floor leader and he was very helpful and accommodating," the former council floor leader said.
Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr., in a comment to SunStar Davao's Facebook post, also honored the late councilor.
"It is an honor for me to work with him. A person worthy of deep respect and emulation. A pillar of Davao City, a man of honor and service, a true man of the law. I will never forget and will forever be grateful for his kind words of affirmation and he will be an inspiration to us all," Mahipus said.
"His service to the city was service to all of us and the next generations to come," he said.
Former councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte also offered her condolences, and called her former colleague in the Council her “idol,” and a “brilliant mind.”
Another former councilor Peter Laviña also lauded the “longest serving councilor” for his achievement in the city legislation.
“We were together in the City Council from 2001-2010 and struck a partnership called LaMi (Lavina-Militar) when we sought re-election as independents in 2004,” Laviña wrote in his Facebook post.
Facebook user Sharon Joy Baliquid Colong recalled her experience with the late councilor.
“Dili ko kalimot nimo sir. Mga 1995 to, third year college ko, unya ikaw ang among speaker sa school. Mao ni imong message na dili gyud nako malimtan: ‘Ang edukasyon mao’y importante’ [sic] (I will never forget you sir. It was in 1995, back then I was third year college and you were the speaker in our school. This is your message that struck me the most: “Education is important.”),” Colong said.
Another Facebook user Johnny Cortez lauded Militar for being a corrupt-free politician.
“Si Councilor Militar, wala juy gipangayo basta lang para sa kaayohan sa Dabawenyos. RIP sir! (When you ask help from Councilor Militar, we won’t be asking anything in return for it is for the betterment of Dabawenyos. Rest in peace, sir!,” Cortez said.
Bonz said the venue for the wake, and the burial will be announced in the coming days.