In the year 1997, after serving the Bureau of Customs for thirty six years, I decided to tender my optional retirement to give way to my plan to run for Mayor in my beloved town of Magalang.
I was sixty one years old at that time so, I had still four years left before reaching the mandatory age of retirement. This is embodied in the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
It was a supreme sacrifice on my part giving up a lucrative and glamorous position as Collector of Customs III whose place of assignment was Chief of the Airmail Distribution Center (ADC).
All air parcels weighing 20 kgs no more no less coming from foreign countries pass through my office. It was one of the working days when my personnels under me upon their rigorous examination got stunned to discover a 20 kgs air parcel which contained prohibited drugs (shabu) consigned to a certain Rose Bud.
The estimated market value of the apprehended 20 kgs air parcel was 30 million pesos.
Later on, it was turned over to the proper authorities. The late Mr. Willy Parayno who was then the Commissioner of Customs when informed of the apprehension praised and congratulated those involved in the discovery of the illegal drugs and awarded yours truly with a Certificate of Recognition.
I must say in tendering my optional retirement to the Bureau before reaching the mandatory age of 65 years old caused a tremendous loss on my income in terms of salary, overtime pay and other fringe benefits.
However, all these worries particularly the loss in monetary consideration were overcame by my overwhelming over zealousness to run for mayor in my hometown Magalang with the end in view in servicing my Cabalen. In 1998, everything was all set and prepared to file my Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for Mayor.
Luckily, with the unequivocal support of the Magalang voters and particularly with the blessings of the Lord, I won overwhelmingly over my number one political opponent. To reciprocate the support and blessings bestowed upon me, I adapted this beautiful phrase and I quote "Performance Is The Best Politics".
This was religiously and effectively put in action by my late Brother BRF 2. GUIA0 former provincial Governor of the province of Pampanga, which I also vigorously implemented after my first term in 1998 local election. Such was the case, from then on 1998 up to 2007 I earned the distinction for being three termer hence, undefeated Mayor of the town of Magalang. I left an enviable fegacy during my incumbency when the town of Magalang was awarded conscientiously, as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality not only in the province of Pampanga and also throughout Central Luzon. Hence, a Hall of Famed Acknowledging my distinctive performance former President Gloria M. Arroyo appointed me as one of the TESDA Deputy Directors General and when the late Tesda Director General Mr. Augusto "Boboy" Sijuco resigned to run for Congressman in the 6th District of the province of Iloilo, she appointed me to fill the vacant position as Tesda Director General. Since the incumbent Mayor Hon. Malu P. Lacson is also very much concerned in the conservation of clean and green environment, she considered yours truly as a member of Municipal Advisory Council whose main task is focused on the promotion of waste management. I thank her for giving me the rare privilege to serve under her administration. Rest assured that I will exert all the best I can to be a partner in servicing her constituents and helping promote peace and unity, and discard partisan politics among the people of Magalang.