Jupiter Dominguez: Making a difference

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

With a name identified with the late Mountain Province solon Victor Dominguez known for traditional politics, congressional candidate Jupiter ‘Jup’ Dominguez has to project that he is different from his late uncle-former solon.

The late solon’s 20 years stay in congressional office meant one thing-the perpetuation of patronage politics built through the years and gained support from families and individuals who benefited in one way or the other through the political blessings of the former Representative.

At the same time, it has marginalized those who were not aligned with the former congressman. Talk about how disgruntled some individuals were on how employment and contracts were awarded where the signature of the solon was an influential consideration in one’s acceptance to a job. Yet, is this something new? Mountain Province is a microcosm of the corrupt political system of the country where patronage politics rules.

Anyway, comes now the late solon’s nephew, former Sabangan Mayor Jupiter Dominguez who rivaled and lost to his uncle-congressman Victor Dominguez in the 2007 congressional elections. This gathered mixed reactions.

Whatever these were, breaking away from a stronghold of power was too much of a political gamble by the younger Dominguez who stepped forward to create a new image for himself and new politics for Mountain Province contrary to the system which the former solon has built through the years.

Making a difference was made pronounced during the 2006 demolition of the St Peter’s Church in Sabangan with funds built from the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) of the former congressman. Mayor Jupiter Dominguez at this time condemned the demolition together with the Sangguniang Bayan; and provided the municipal hall as temporary site for church services.

The rest was history as the late Victor Dominguez(may he rest in peace) emerged victorious to represent Mountain Province again for another three year term in Congress cut short by his death in February 2008.

It is now the call of the day for congressional aspirant Jupiter Dominguez to 'make a difference' for a better Mountain Province.