ILOILO City – Sen. Franklin Drilon has endorsed Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah “Ade” Fajardo, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, to be Antique’s next representative to Congress.
The Ilonggo veteran senator described Fajardo, his fraternity brother, as dedicated, intelligent and a principled person.
“Sa aton mga kasimanwa sa Antique, buligan naton si Atty. Ade Fajardo, isa ka abogado, maayo nga tawo kag makabulig gid sa aton probinsya,” said Drilon who had been Senate President and Justice Secretary.
As Antique’s congressman, Fajardo would bring progress to Antique, Drilon stressed.
“Ang iya experience bilang isa ka abogado kag kapisan bentaha para sa mga Antiqueño. Ang welfare sang mga Antiqueño ara gid sa iya tagipuso-on,” added Drilon.
Fajardo, a true native of Antique, was born and raised in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista. He is the eldest of the children of Daniel “Danny” Gumban Fajardo and Maria Gillesania Santillan-Fajardo, founders of Panay News, the No. 1 regional newspaper.
Fajardo welcomed the endorsement of the much respected Ilonggo senator.
“Nakita naton nga si Senator Drilon tama gid ka baskog nga pwersa diri sa isla sang Panay. Very thankful kita, nakita gid ang mehora ni Senator Drilon diri sa Iloilo. Kanami na sang Iloilo subong tungod sang iya pagpanikasog,” said Fajardo.
Like Drilon, Fajardo is also an alumnus of the University of the Philippines (UP) – College of Law.
“With his guidance, kita kaluy-an, we can at least approximate ang ginahimo sang mga lideres sa Iloilo didto sa aton sa probinsya sang Antique,” he added.
One of Fajardo’s priorities is to address the basic needs of overlooked sectors in Antique such as farmers and fishermen.
“Ang plano naton tana buligan ang aton mga mangungoma kag mangingisda hay ang umpisa ka economic progress kinanglan pabaskugon ta ang mga sectors nga nagagasto sang kwarta kag nagapapitik sang ekonomiya kang Antique,” said Fajardo, who also holds a degree in Economics from UP.
He noted that Antique is a coastal province but is also mountainous.
“Darwa gid ka disiplina ka ra dyan ang kinanglan – ang panguma kag pangisda. Hay duro tana amon isda, duro amon produkto garing hay daw wara ga-translate sa economic progress. Amo ra daad ang aton gusto nga i-address,” Fajardo said.
He is also considering crafting a measure that would carve two legislative districts in Antique.
Having two representatives in Congress means a louder voice for the Antiqueños – and more attention would be given to the province, Fajardo explained.
“Sa aton mga kasimanwa sa Antique, ako naga-representar sang ka alternatibo sa liwat-liwat nga apelyido nga nagabulos-bulos nga nagaserbe sa aton probinsya. Ang dinastiyaka budlay da ya ang problema. Aton tana ginahimo, nagarepresentar kita sang aton kwalipikasyon. Kabay pa nga mabatian man kag mabanag-banag sang aton mga kasimanwa nga basi mas angayan kita tana sa Kongreso,” said Fajardo./PN
