The dream continues for Navotas mayoral bet

Despite the advice of his father not to enter the “dirty” world of politics, a doctor is determined to run for mayor against the incumbent, John Rey Tiangco, of the prominent Tiangco clan in the city.

“My dad, Victor Javier, was the mayor of the then Municipality of Navotas in the 1980s. He passed on in 2000. We were sheltered from politics as we grew up. It was not even clear to us what a mayor was back then,” said Patrick Joseph “PJ” Javier, 36, a doctor by profession.

Even from his sick bed, Javier’s father had advised not to enter politics.

To him, it sounded like one of his father’s last reminders before he died.

“I understand that there will come a time when you will be called on to serve our city, our nation. If you believe you have something to give, then go for it. But once you feel that you’ve given all you’ve got, get out because once you make politics a living, that will be the end of you,” he said.

Javier graduated with a medicine degree from the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in 2003, while taking up law at Ateneo University. His calling came in 2004.

“I was at the crossroads of my life, and was surprised when community leaders went to my mom and asked her if someone from our family could run. They specifically asked for me, which was a surprise, as I was a quiet person then,” he said.

Javier ran as vice mayor in that year’s elections, and is now winding up his third term.

Should he win the mayoralty race, Javier is hoping to focus on areas which, he said, were not priorities  in the city government’s programs in the last three years.

“I believe we need to prioritize areas such as education, health, and flood control. For a start, we need to realign funds to those sectors. We had many beautification programs. But what will you do with those programs if our constituents will have to evacuate because of the floods?” Javier said.

“Basically, our world stops when it floods. There is no flow of trade and goods, no classes, no businesses. How can we attract businesses when the environment is not ideal?” he said.

Javier said it was logical that he run for mayor so he can fulfill  his dreams for the second-smallest local government unit in Metro Manila, next  to Pateros.

“After the advice my father gave when he was dying, I kept asking myself, ‘Do I still have something to give to this city? Can I still help?’ he said.  “So far, my answer to that question is yes. I still have more to give.”