The “A” in the BOTIKA triumvirate—Romblon’s ruling political machine—is Armando “Arming” Gutierrez, whose arms, embracing and outstretched in generosity, is the anti-thesis to the self-absorbed pro-environment advocacy of Rodne R. Galicha, Gutierrez’s opponent in the 12 May 2025 elections.
The differences between the two protagonists for the vice governorship could not be more obvious and more pronounced.
Rodne is steeped in philosophy; Armando in business strategy. In personality, Rodne is the extrovert. He goes out of his way to speak his mind and articulates rather effectively his worldview, which I will say more about later. On the other hand, Armando is the contemplative type. He thinks more deeply and chooses his words, thus, when he speaks, what comes out carry more weight than a ton of Romblon marble. Triviality is not Armando’s brand. Rodne’s concerns are of the now; Armando’s issue is of the future.
My affinity with Rodne starts and ends with our having the same birthday. We are both Gemini. We may read the same environment tracts, but our career tracks diverge at the fork road of reason.
On the other side of the equation, my relationship with Armando is rooted on the time-honored tradition of friendship that recognizes give-and-take, never alone take. Since I met him decades ago at the Senate, Armando and I have developed a kinship based on mutual respect and cognizance of each other’s frailties.
The strength and durability of the ties that bind us was reinforced by the romantic wit of another Romblomanon, the late Ambassador Antonio Modena, whose diplomatic skills and knowledge of history and global affairs was consummate as was his consumption of alcohol. “In vino veritas” (In wine, there is truth) was Modena’s mantra, undoubtedly imbibed by Armando and I, for when inebriated, the three of us spoke our mind as honestly as the year the wine was bottled, indicated on the bottle’s label.
Armando is a success in business; Rodney in environment advocacy. Armando has made a fortune in human resource development, in capacitating people and giving them jobs that pay; while Rodne has made a mark in fighting for environmental justice. He has been recognized and awarded for working to preserve the earth.
Between the two, I’d like to think that we need the likes of Armando more than the likes of Rodne, although their achievements could be complementary. Here’s why:
If Rodne is fighting to preserve the earth, Armando is working to make better the lives of people who already live on Rodne’s earth. If there would be no more people living because of hunger or sickness and other forms of depravation, surely there would be no one to inhabit a preserved earth. Thus, Rodne would be left holding the proverbial empty bag. The only reason I think the earth breathes as it does is because there are still Armandos around us keeping us alive with decent jobs, decent incomes, and decent healthcare and education. Keep the Armandos out and we would be left with a howling wilderness, a nature untouched by human hands. I can’t imagine a Sibuyan with no Sibuyanon with only the majestic Mt. Guiting-Guiting standing alone. Would that be of use to a non-existent humanity?
So, if Rodne’s advocacy and Armando’s generosity are complementary, can they work together? Yes, of course, but unfortunately, there is only one position of vice governor, the chair Armando currently occupies. We cannot elect both without invalidating our ballots.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is a collective, thinking, contemplative, and debating but polite, club. In there, the Vice Governor is king, reconciling and mediating the competing interests that its members espouse as dictated by their constituencies.
These interests encompass many issues and concerns, the environment only one of many. At the provincial council, Armando does not please everybody, even the governor, for other than making ordinances, the council exercises budget control, oversight of the governor and his executive behavior, and concurrence or ratification of gubernatorial appointments and agreements. In this role, he makes the most difficult decisions.
I can say that having the experience and the managerial ability, the temperament, and the wisdom lent by years of living a benevolent life, and the compassion and capacity in dealing with ordinary people, Armando Gutierrez would do better as presiding officer of the provincial council.
Armando had the privilege of being a decision-maker. He had shown proof of his legislative acumen. Rodne has yet to do so, striving still, as he is, to preach to every Romblomanon about the dignity and integrity of the environment. He is a single-issue candidate trying mightily hard to make everyone happy.
Alas, the late Steve Jobs, founder of technology giant Apple, had this to say about leaders wishing everyone happiness: “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader, sell ice cream.”
