Sak Matibag: Service runs in his blood
Elections

Sak Matibag: Service runs in his blood

Nov 29, 2021, 5:12 AM
James Veloso and Catherine Go

James Veloso and Catherine Go

Local Editor

(Continuation of OpinYon Laguna’s “Know Your Candidate” Series)

FOR years, the name Matibag has been synonymous with politics and public service in San Pedro City, Laguna.

Few San Pedronians would say they didn’t know Melvin Matibag, the current president of the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) and one of the leading members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The same goes for his wife, current 1st District Board Member Ann Garcia Matibag, who is currently running to represent San Pedro City in Congress at the 2022 elections.

New face

However, Sak Matibag, Melvin’s nephew who is now aiming to succeed his aunt Bokal Ann at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is a new face in the city’s political scene.

Some residents who were surprised at his decision to run for board member are now asking: What does Sak Matibag have to offer for them?

Having an uncle and a grandfather who were both into public service has motivated him in his youth, he said during a recent talk with OpinYon Laguna.

“I was motivated by my grandfather Pons Matibag, because I always see that he was helping people, kahit sino man po ang nagtatanong," he related.

Managerial skills

Sak first studied at Biñan City’s Colegio San Agustin after which he got a scholarship at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he graduated with honors and earned a degree in Export Management.

He then helped his father in managing their pizza restaurant in Makati City for years, before deciding to join his other relatives in politics.

That stint into the family business, he explained, honed the managerial skills he believed he would now need in his new stint in public service.

Given that private business has a very different orientation from public service, OpinYon Laguna asked Sak if he can adjust to his new world.

His reply: "During my years in helping set up our business, doon ko na-realize na it's not all about making profits”.
“So nung nabigyan po ako ng chance na makatakbo, kinuha ko na po dahil naniniwala ako na ito na talaga yung purpose na ibinigay sa akin, to help and serve".

Mentors

Being a first-timer in the turbulent world of Philippine politics was not without its challenges, he related to OpinYon Laguna.

"Yung transition po [into politics] was really hard, so I'm thankful naman po sa guidance ni Atty. Melvin and Bokal Ann," he said.
"First thing they taught me was, kailangan mong maka-konekta sa mga tao. Kailangan mo talagang makilala sila, hindi yung 'hi, hello' lang. Kahit short na kuwentuhan lang, hanggang sa interesado ka nang makatulong."

Like his grandfather, the Matibag couple also taught Sak to be "accessible" to his constituents.

"Dapat raw po ako, maging available sa lahat ng tao. Hindi po dapat akong mahirap hanapin; dapat po ako ang unang lumalapit sa kanila," he recalled.

Board member

But why did Sak elect to run for his aunt’s position as Laguna provincial board member?

During the talk, he related that with Bokal Ann now running for Congress, there may be a real possibility that San Pedro City may be left out of representation at the provincial capitol.

In her three-year stint at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Ann Matibag has worked hard to ensure that San Pedronians will get a fair share in the province’s socio-economic programs.

“Parang sayang naman po kung walang makukuha ang San Pedro from the resources na kayang ibigay [ng provincial government],” he said.

Legislative agenda

When asked about his legislative agenda, Sak said he would like to focus on the youth (a priority sector of Bokal Ann), small businesses, and community development.

He explained that his experiences as a scholar at the Ateneo de Manila University, as well as managing their family business, has made him decide to push for legislation to further aid students and small businesses, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And like his aunt, Sak said he would like to push for socio-economic development in some areas of San Pedro City which, he said, had been “left out.”

“Napansin ko po na maraming mga barangay dito sa San Pedro ay napag-iiwanan na,” he related.
“For example, sa may Bayan-Bayanan, some areas don’t have access to basic services like water and electricity. I’d like to help them have access to those services, gaya ng ginawa ni Bokal Ann,” he continued.

Challenge

Having an aunt that had proved to be one of San Pedro City’s most popular politicians has given Sak Matibag a challenge to do better, he added.

“It has given me a challenge to live up to their name,” Sak explained. “Pero hindi lang po ako tumatakbo para mas lalong ma-enhance ang pangalang Matibag.
“I really want to help people – kasi nung bata pa ako, I can really see a lot of people na nangangailangan ng tulong, at nanghihinayang po ako na hindi ko po kayang makapagbigay ng tulong na iyon... It's not just about the name, it's more about what I can do to help people."

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