Here’s a text message I sent the re-elected Mayor of the Municipality of Paniqui, Miguel “Dors” Rivilla, last May 10, that Monday the majority of us went out to our respective polling precincts to cast our votes: “Our Mass yesterday was offered for you, and other candidates like you, deserving a public post because you are cut out to be a true public servant. All the best!”

From the very beginning of the campaign period on the local level, Mayor Rivilla did not have much to fortify his campaign strategy and assure him of a second election victory. His constituents were aware of the unusual political party re-alignment that happened in Paniqui and goaded the good Mayor to run as an independent candidate. We all recognize as election truism that winning for an independent candidate is an uphill battle. And such was the battle Mayor Rivilla fought during the last election campaign. Like a towering figure of gallantry determined to win his battle by staying firm, tall, and visible on the frontline, Mayor Dors thumped and crushed his enemy and walked out of the battlefield with his raised shining armor and flashed the grin of a true victor!

It would be well to analyze why, despite the odds, Mayor Dors Rivilla got re-elected. Running for mayor a second time, Mayor Rivilla was put under a most stringent scrutiny by the electorate. That was expected. Good thing for the Mayor, his first term was marked by a remarkable performance. I will not have time nor space to enumerate the Mayor’s first term accomplishments. His constituents know them anyway. But let me mention some of the seemingly insignificant things he has done for the municipality. Like a sincere, accommodating host, Mayor Rivilla has welcomed a number of guests, well-known and otherwise, who took with them conversation pieces that reflected the good side of him. You need to be this kind of host if you want a second election victory.

Also, I always find impressive a political leader who gives importance to seemingly little, unimportant things like putting water lilies to beneficial use, maintaining a regularly updated website that puts many a first-class municipalities to shame, creating events that make for a vibrant community, such as the recent “Sida-Sida Festival”, and so on and so forth! For what do these “little” things indicate? Clearly, they tell me that Paniqui is blessed to have a mayor who has the passion and dedication to make things a little better for everyone in that town. There’s a true public servant that leads the townspeople.

I do not foresee Mayor Dors Rivilla’s style of governance changing much during his second term. I do foresee this early however that next election time, he would still be the man to beat. For comments / reactions, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it