It is inevitable to make comparisons, especially between different types of leadership. It happens to all, whether political, business, socio-civic groups, and even within the Church.

In the city of Calamba, province of Laguna, Calambeños are clamoring for the return of the former mayor, attorney Justin Marc “Timmy” Chipeco, because of the better public service they experienced during his term from 2013 to 2022.

Chipeco opened City Hall to all his constituents in need of assistance be it financial or medical; he was very approachable and never said no to any request, especially from senior citizens.

According to the Lolos and Lolas of Calamba, life was so much better back then.

With Mayor Chipeco, whatever you needed whenever you needed it, especially financial assistance for health problems, you just went to his office and you never went home disappointed. Health was the former mayor’s top priority.

Calambeños can’t help but compare the administration of Chipeco with the present one. Under Mayor Ross Rizal, people complain that medical and financial assistance is given only once or twice a week and guarantee letters don’t serve their purpose because they are given three to six months after.

If you’re a Calambeño undergoing dialysis, most of the maintenance medicines during Chipeco’s time were branded and were distributed every month from a very reputable drug company. When former mayor Chipeco filed his certificate of candidacy, Mayor Ross Rizal shifted from a generic drug to a branded one.

Another difference was the issue of Public Safety and Public Trust. People felt safe during the time of Chipeco, with no untoward incidents, no killings, no Chinese spies, and no illegal POGO operations. One could walk the streets of Calamba without worry. Chipeco enhanced police visibility at strategic locations to prevent criminal activities.

But now the people of Calamba don’t feel safe. The killing, for example, of former Councilor Daniel Borja has hardly elicited a reaction from City Hall. His loved ones are crying for justice, while Calambeños are asking, “If a former councilor cannot get justice, what more the ordinary citizen?”

There’s a big lesson here that would apply not only to the mayor of Calamba but to all mayors all over the Philippines. Your strongest opponent is the person who is making a comeback after having given their best service to their constituents. If you want to hold on to your position, don’t shower people with one-time “ayuda.”

Create projects and provide benefits that have a long lasting effect, like on people’s health. Health is still the greatest wealth of any Filipino. Social media, black propaganda and trolls won’t work, especially if your political rival had served well. So for all incumbent mayors, think hard, did you serve your people well? This answer will be in the outcome of the May elections.