Jackson Matbagon can still vividly remember the time when he was proclaimed as village chief of Barangay Caubian in 2013.
He said he celebrated that victory with his whole family including his father who pushed him to run for the post which the latter vacated being a three-termer. He said he and his father hugged tightly during the proclamation. Both of them were in tears … tears of joy that is.
Last Monday, Matbagon, 41, reclaimed his seat as village chief, winning a second term with ease.
But there were no tight hugs this time. No elaborate celebrations either.
Matbagon described his victory in Monday’s barangay and SK elections as “bittersweet.”
Bittersweet because he won against his father, Romeo. A victory that only hammered a deeper wedge between father and son and the rest of the family.
“Nalipay ko pero dili 100 percent kay kontra man nako akong amahan. Wala rako mag-celebrate sa akong kadaugan (I’m happy but not truly happy because I won against my father), Matbagon said.
Barangay Caubian is an islet off Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City, with a voting population of more than 1,200.
Matbagon got more than 800 votes while his father garnered more than 200 votes.
Matbagon said that his father was the former barangay captain of Caubian. But in the 2013 barangay elections, when his father’s term already ended, he was endorsed to run for the post, which he eventually won.
Failing health
This year, Matbagon said his father wanted to run again as barangay captain, but he failed to get the support of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and her husband, former Congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza.
“Apparently, I was the one who was endorsed by Mayor Paz Radaza and Congressman Boy, so I decided to seek reelection,” he said.
Aside from not getting Radaza’s backing, Matbagon said he and his family were also worried about his father’s failing health.
“My father is already 75-years old and he is suffering from high blood and diabetes,” Matbagon said adding that there were a few instances when his father suffered attacks. “We were just concerned about his health,” he said.
But Matbagon described his father as a responsible and dedicated public servant.
However, he said that since the start of the election period, his father had stopped talking to him. He found this awkward since they live in the same house.
He knew that he offended his father, but he is hopeful that in time, they will eventually kiss and make up.
In the meantime, Matbagon said he is living in a boarding house in Minglanilla town with his only daughter but is planning to transfer to Lapu-Lapu City soon.
He also belied allegations that he and his father ran for the same position to enable their family to continue holding onto the post.
“Our intention was just to serve,” he explained.
Projects for Caubian
With the new opportunity given to him by the people of Caubian, Matbagon said he will implement his projects that were put on hold due to the twin elections.
Among these are the construction of a new barangay hall and a covered court and the renovation of their health center all totaling P16 million.