Last Tuesday, in a command conference presided by President Rodrigo Duterte in Awang, Dinaig, Maguindanao, I met another poor boy from Cotabato who rose to become a Cabinet Secretary.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was born in Sinawingan, Midsayap and I are the two remaining Cotabateños in the Duterte Cabinet.
Sec. Del was raised and educated in Parang while I was born in Bialong, M’lang, Cotabato.
Sec. Del’s route to the top was through the Philippine Military Academy becoming the Defense Attache in Washington after retirement.
My entry into politics was paved by former President Fidel V. Ramos who in 1995 named me as a substitute candidate for mayor of M’lang to take the place of my ailing father.
Both of us grew up in poverty, hardship and sacrifices, painful experiences which may have made us tougher.
There used to be five Cabinet Secretaries from Cotabato but the three others did not last the full term.
With a little over a year left, it looks like Sec Del and I will make it until the end of the term of the President.
In my case, however, after resigning from the Dept. of Agriculture and moving to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as Chairman with a Cabinet Secretary rank, I could continue to serve the next President.
As Chairman of MinDA, I have a fixed term of six years which would end Aug. 5, 2025.
That means I would be able to continue my programs and advocacies in Mindanao, unless I decide to seek an elective post in 2022.
#LongTimeForDiscernment!
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