What makes Atty. Sacrament Gumilab the best choice to be Congressman of Kalinga?

In a recent speaking engagement, the three-time Mayor of Tinglayan, Kalinga underscored that of the many reasons why the people should consider him, there are three main reasons why he deserves their vote.

In this ever-evolving world of politics, voters deserve clarity, honesty, and conviction from those who seek to lead. They must know why a political candidate truly deserves the position he/she is running for—beyond speeches and promises. 

Atty. Sacrament S. Gumilab, the youngest among the three candidates vying for the position of congressman in Kalinga, bravely said of the choice, he is the lawyer and the work of a congressman is legislation, he is the one with hands-on experience in local governance working with legislators, and he has proven his ability to lead with the transformation that happened in Tinglayan. 

Being and working with the people

Atty. Gumilab, during his campaign rally in Guilayon, Tabuk City on April 21, explained that true service begins with understanding the people on the ground. As mayor of the municipality of Tinglayan, he emphasized that he didn't lead his constituents from a distance. As the father of the town, he visits every barangay not just for a show but to listen to the people, feel their struggles, and witness their dreams firsthand.

During his rallies to barangays in Kalinga, he saw that the aspirations of Tinglayan are no different from those of the rest of the province. Having known the needs of the iKalingas, the young politician said he is ready to carry those shared dreams to the congress, where real solutions should be fought for. 

“Ti panagpaspasyar ko kadagiti barangays ken sitios ditoy ili tayo nga Kalinga, idiay ko nakita nga nu anya ti arapaap da idiay Tinglayan, kasjay metlang iti arapaap ti intiro nga Kalinga. So nu kasjay nga ammok ti sitwasyon ti ili tayo nga Kalinga, mas bagay kadatayo ti mapan idiay congress, ammo tayon ton ti ilaban tayo, ammo tayon ti intay ekkan ti solusyon na. Itoy three terms ko a kas mayor ti Tinglayan, naipakitak nu kasanu ti pudno nga panagserbi ken naadal kon ti processes ti government. Sunga mamati nak nga kayak ti sumang-at ti position,” he stated. 

Having legal expertise

Gumilab explained that a congressman’s role is not just to voice out the concerns of his constituents but to fight for them and make laws to provide solutions to address their needs. If the people’s dreams are not made into laws, they can never be achieved.  As a lawyer, he said he is worthy of the position because he has the legal expertise to do so. 

According to him, his bid for the congress is not for personal glory, but to represent the province where one day, iKalingas will be proud that one of them is fighting for their aspirations with dignity and courage. 

“ Ti trabaho ti representative ket haan nalang nga ipan ti concerns tayo idiay congress nu diket ilaban na. Kasapulan na nga  idebate dagita nga arapaap, pagbilinen na nga linteg, tapno ti kasta ket maddressan ti kayat tayo nga taga Kalinga. Kasi nu haan suna nagbalin nga linteg, awan metlang ti serbi na. So nu ti trabaho ti Congressman ket agaramid ti linteg, maibagay kadatayo kasi mas maawatan tayo ti linteg ta maysa tayo garud met nga abogado,” Gumilab added.

Transformation of Tinglayan and the Need for a New Leadership

Gumilab recounted that when he first ran as mayor of Tinglayan at just 29 years old, many of the people doubted his ability to lead. Nevertheless, he worked hard until he proved his critics wrong. When he won, he fulfilled his campaign promises, worked with integrity, and earned the trust and respect of the iTinglayans; thus, he was re-elected until his last term. He became the father of modern Tinglayan with new road networks, several government facilities, improved services and peace and order. His works are proven by the multiple awards that Tinglayan LGU received and Gumilab being himself a national leadership awardee.

With that, Gumilab said he wants the same opportunity for the next generation to shine also and prove that age is not a hindrance when one is dedicated to serving.

“Ibagbaga tayo nga kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Learners today, leaders tomorrow. Daytoy ti gundaway tayo garud nga ekkan ti opportunity dagiti ub-ubbing nga ipakita da nga agpayso nga isuda ti namnaman ti umili, nga kaya da nga idaulo ti ili tayo nga Kalinga. Daytoyen ti tiempo dagiti ubing nga agshine.  A kas inaramid ket araramiden tayo met idiay Tinglayan ta asi ti Apo Diyos ket naparaburan tayo met nga aging mayor idiay,” Gumilab concluded.