A NEW breed of a fitting provincial lawmaker is in the making in the person of Lawyer Michael "Mike" Consunji Mangiliman.
A native of Guagua town, the young lawyer is a three-term municipal councilor ending his stint on June 30 of this year and hoping to get a new mandate on a district level.
At 32, he has accomplished so much in legislation, initiating various legislative measures that beefed up growth and development in his town. He holds pro-poor advocacies and pro-masses programs for his constituents since he started in public service.
His excellent track record made him "graduate" as a local lawmaker serving the people of Guagua with his utmost self.
Lawyer Mike, as he is fondly known, spent his elementary and high school days at the renowned Guagua National Colleges and took his college and post graduate studies at the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in A.B. Philosophy and Bachelor of Laws respectively. He took the Bar Examinations in 2005 and his oath as a lawyer the following year.
He is never new to the legal profession. His father, lawyer Wilfrido Mangiliman who has carved his name in the roster of legal luminaries in Pampanga, is a practicing lawyer himself. I've known the elder Mangiliman to be kindhearted and generous especially to the poor. He accepts a number of pro-bono cases defending the causes of the oppressed.
Not to be outshadowed, the younger Mangiliman has continued the legacies and good reputation of his father despite the latter's still active role in defending the masses in legal battles.
Since the day lawyer Mike first threw his hat into the political ring, he never stopped on caring for the people he has sworn to serve not only of his age but from all walks. He won't last his nine years political career without any manifestations of accomplishments. The people of Guagua are witnesses to various programs and projects the young lad has initiated since he was elected as an Municipal Board (MC) Member in 2001.
The law giving term limits to elected officials wouldn't stop lawyer Mike from continuing his service to the people. In fact, he is aspiring for a legislative position this time on a higher level. What could be the loss of the MC of Guagua, would surely be the gain of the Second District of Pampanga in terms of representation and public services in the higher Provincial Board. Lawyers are usually good lawmakers. They often excel in legislative works knowing the intricacies of rules governing people.
In politics, timing is of the essence. I find it timely and fitting that lawyer Mike seeks a fresh mandate in a district level. Malwalas is what people described the arena of battle for the Board Members' post in the District.
Guagua is the sure bailiwick of lawyer Mike. Complementing his force is the town of Sasmuan, which is very adjacent to his hometown. The mighty and vote-rich Lubao town despite having two candidates for the provincial board's posts would surely give their third slot to him. Floridablanca is close to this lawyer's heart as well as Porac town. Many would campaign for him in Sta. Rita having a number of supporters there.
The pakisingit factor makes winning a slot in a three-slot position easy as compared to a neck-to-neck fight in a mayoralty or vice-mayoralty race.
Election is selection that is of the best candidate that we see fit and qualified to hold an elective post. Lawyer Mike aside from his matinee idol looks who will not only wow women electorates, but also the masses. His low-keyed self in spite of their family's opulence and well-crafted name will surely give him a seat to continue his legislative works he started as a young leader in the Council.
This writer expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of the late Third District Provincial Board Member Ceferino "Apung Pinong" Laus. Despite our age gap, Apung Pinong is a close friend, a father, a brother, a mentor, a leader, a barkada, a man for all seasons for me. We will surely miss his presence as I will miss the times we shared stories while taking small strides inside malls and enjoying every moment of a relaxed life and the joys of living. We lost a great man.